It's time to service your heat pump to get it ready for cooler weather.

If your heating and cooling unit is 10 years old or older, you’ll want to make sure it is still operating at full efficiency. The older a unit gets, the more inefficient it becomes. And as repair costs increase, a new unit might be the best and most comfortable option.

South River EMC offers rebates on higher efficiency units, that is 16 SEER2 or above. SEER2 stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio 2, or the cooling efficiency of a system. The higher the SEER2 rating, the more efficient a unit is at cooling.

However, to be the most efficient, units must be properly sized for the home. Too small and the unit runs constantly, too big and the unit cycles on and off frequently. Neither option is good for your unit, home, or comfort.

When considering heating and cooling, think what would work well in your home. Would an air source heat pump work? Do you have central air conditioning? If you’re building a home, consider a geothermal system, they are the most efficient heat pumps.

So, when purchasing a new unit, make sure you make efficiency a part of the selection process.