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Essential Preventative AC Maintenance Checklist for Long-Lasting Performance

Anchor Heating and Air is your #StillLocal heating & air conditioning company serving Charleston, SC and the surrounding areas. 

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Essential Preventative AC Maintenance Checklist for Long-Lasting Performance

Maintaining the efficiency and longevity of your air conditioning system goes beyond the simple switch-flip to cool your space. An essential component of home care, preventive AC maintenance ensures that your system operates at peak performance, saving you from the discomfort of breakdowns and the high costs of emergency repairs.

From the air filters that purify your indoor air to the coils and fins that facilitate effective cooling, every part of your AC needs regular attention.

Air Conditioner Filters

Maintaining an efficient and effective air conditioning system starts with a simple yet crucial component: the air filter. This seemingly minor part plays an instrumental role in ensuring clean, uninterrupted airflow, directly impacting your AC’s performance and the indoor air quality of your home.

The journey towards a well-maintained AC unit begins with regularly checking and promptly replacing your air filters. With a variety of filters available, from disposable to reusable types, understanding their differences becomes essential.

Knowing when to change your AC filter is equally important, as it can significantly enhance your system’s efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and extend its lifespan. Timely maintenance of air filters not only safeguards the health of your AC system but also contributes to overall household comfort and energy savings.

Check and Replace the Filters Regularly

Ensuring your AC system remains at peak performance involves a routine yet critical task: checking and replacing the air filters regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow, forcing your system to work harder, which in turn increases energy consumption and accelerates wear and tear on your unit.

Experts recommend replacing or cleaning air filters every 30 to 90 days, depending on usage and environmental factors. A fresh air filter not only enhances the efficiency of your AC but also improves indoor air quality, reducing the risk of allergens and pollutants circulating within your home.

Air Conditioner Coils

Moving on to another critical aspect of ensuring the longevity and efficiency of your air conditioning system: the care of the air conditioner coils. Both the evaporator and condenser coils are key to the system’s operation, facilitating the transfer of heat out of your home and keeping the air cool and comfortable.

Over time, these coils can accumulate dirt, dust, and other debris, significantly impairing their ability to function effectively.

Cleaning the Evaporator and Condenser Coils

Initiating the process of cleaning your air conditioner’s evaporator and condenser coils is fundamental for sustaining an efficient and effective system. The accumulation of dirt and debris on these coils inhibits their ability to release heat, increasing energy usage and potentially leading to higher costs and diminished comfort in your home.

Utilizing a garden hose or a specialized coil cleaning solution, homeowners can gently remove the buildup from their condenser coils, located outside. For the evaporator coils situated indoors, a soft brush or a self-rinsing foam cleaner can be effective tools, ensuring the coils are clean without causing damage or impacting the delicate fins responsible for heat exchange.

Coil Fins

Maintaining the efficiency and longevity of your air conditioner extends beyond cleaning filters and coils; it also involves meticulous attention to the coil fins. These thin, metallic blades are crucial for directing airflow and heat exchange but can easily become bent or damaged over time.

Through focused sections on straightening bent coil fins, choosing the right tools for their upkeep, and implementing a regimen of regular inspections, homeowners can prevent airflow obstruction and ensure their AC system operates at its most efficiently.

Regular Inspection to Prevent Damage to Fins

Regular inspections act as the first line of defense in preventing damage to coil fins, crucial for maintaining optimal airflow through your air conditioning system. By identifying bent or damaged fins early, homeowners can ensure their AC operates with efficiency, preventing any unnecessary strain that could lead to increased energy consumption and wear.

Detecting issues during these inspections allows for timely corrections, significantly reducing the risk of airflow obstruction. This proactive approach helps to preserve the integrity of the air conditioner’s heat exchange capabilities, ensuring sustained performance and comfort in your home.

Condensate Drains

Maintaining a clear condensate drain line is foundational for preventing clogs that can have significant repercussions on your air conditioning system’s efficiency and overall health. Clogs within these drains can cause water to back up, potentially leading to moisture issues, increased humidity, and even water damage.

Cleaning the Condensate Drain Line to Prevent Clogs

Keeping the condensate drain line clear is a pivotal step in preventative AC maintenance, avoiding water backup and subsequent hazards. Through the use of a stiff wire or a specialized vacuum cleaner, homeowners can effectively remove any obstructions, ensuring smooth drainage and mitigating risks associated with elevated humidity levels and potential water damage.

Regularly flushing the condensate drain with a mixture of water and vinegar is another proactive measure to maintain cleanliness and prevent the buildup of mold and algae. This simple yet effective procedure preserves the efficiency of the air conditioning system, promotes healthier indoor air quality, and avoids unexpected interruptions in service.

Window Seals for Room Air Conditioners

The integrity of window seals directly influences the efficiency and effectiveness of your AC unit, ensuring that cool air remains inside and hot air stays out. Addressing three pivotal areas – inspecting the seal for leaks, recognizing when to replace your window seals, and applying maintenance tips for window-mounted AC units – can dramatically enhance your AC’s performance.

Inspecting the Seal for Leaks to Ensure Efficiency

Inspecting the seals around window-mounted air conditioners is a step often missed, yet it’s critical for ensuring efficiency. A compromised seal allows cool air to escape and hot air to enter, forcing the AC to work harder and thus, decreasing its efficiency and increasing energy costs.

When to Call a Professional for AC Maintenance

Despite the many tasks homeowners can handle on their own, certain AC maintenance aspects demand professional attention. Experts should be called in when complicated issues arise, such as the HVAC system failing to cool efficiently, strange noises coming from the unit, or a noticeable decrease in air quality. These signs indicate potential problems that require specialized knowledge and tools for accurate diagnosis and repair.

Scheduling a routine maintenance session with Anchor Heating & Air at least once a year ensures your AC system remains in top condition. 

How Professionals Can Extend Your AC’s Lifespan

Enlisting the help of professionals for AC maintenance with Anchor Heating & Air is a strategic move that directly impacts the longevity of your air conditioning system. Their expertise in handling intricate components and systems ensures that the entirety of your AC unit, from the compressor to the evaporator coils, receives the precise care and attention needed to operate efficiently for years to come.

The Blueprint for Lasting AC Efficiency!

Maintaining a long-lasting and efficient air conditioning system hinges on implementing an essential preventative maintenance checklist. Regularly checking and replacing air filters, cleaning both evaporator and condenser coils, and straightening bent coil fins are key to ensuring unimpeded airflow and optimal system performance.

Additionally, keeping condensate drains clear, inspecting and replacing window seals for room air conditioners, and properly winterizing the outdoor unit safeguard the system against various inefficiencies and damages. Beyond do-it-yourself maintenance, enlisting professional services for annual inspections and complex issues is crucial.

This balanced approach between homeowner efforts and expert interventions prevents breakdowns, extends the system’s lifespan, enhances indoor air quality, and ensures comfort and savings throughout the changing seasons. Schedule your Spring AC Maintenance with Anchor Heating & Air today.

steph and david a7f65258
About The Author

Stephanie Postell

Stephanie is the Co-Owner and COO of Anchor Heating and Air and is a lifelong resident of Charleston, South Carolina. Stephanie and her husband David have over 30 years experience in heating and air conditioning.

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Konny C.
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John M.
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Their tech, Jordan, was very capable and professional. I plan to ask for him by name for my next service.
Craig M.
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I want to take a second to brag about Amanda Edwards. She is my HVAC gal and recently did an install for my client over in North Charleston. Amanda promptly book an appointment with my client and got my client an excellent price on new equipment. Within a couple days they scheduled the install and by 1pm, my clients new system was up and running. My client was super excited about the quality of work and the speed at which the product was delivered and installed.Amanda is honest, trustworthy, dedicated, loyal, hardworking, and will crawl all over your house to make sure she gets the right system for your home. Heck, she even took a bite to the butt from a dog, and still installed the system.Thank you Amanda for being so awesome.
vonna D.
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What a wonderful experience having Jordan come out to my home. He was curious, respectful, and gave very detailed information as to what service he performed. Jordan went above and beyond. I would definitely recommend this company to others. Thank you Jordan!
Tom S.
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Prompt and professional service
Leslie H.
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Doug was so nice, courteous and fixed the issue quickly! I’m so glad I reached out to Anchor Heating & air!
Ann B.
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Brandon was very thorough and checked both units. Cleaned them and checked to make sure they were cooling properly..
David M.
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Prompt courteous service. Technician arrived on time and was very knowledgeable. Explained all points of service performed. I highly recommend!
Linda H.
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Jordan and Anchor Heating and Air are great. Reliable and on time service every time. They don’t try to sell you anything you don’t need. They are a great team to have on your side.
David T.
1715118491
I have nothing but great things to say about our experience. Anchor heating and air was excellent about getting a technician to our home asap and the technician was extremely thorough and knowledgeable. We decided to purchase there maintenance plan at the end of the visit and couldn’t be happier.
Marc O.
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5 stars for Brandon: he did a first-rate job for our annual HVAC service. He was knowledgeable, courteous, and a pleasure to deal with.
Kelly B.
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Jeffrey P.
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Great service, extremely thorough.
Megan W.
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Brandon did a great job. Identified the problem quickly and was able to fix same day efficiently so we didn’t have to suffer with no AC anymore! The communication this company provides is above and beyond others we have dealt with.
Linda G.
1715026193
We had a great experience with Anchor Heating and Air. Rick came out to maintenance our unit and found that our fan motor needed to be replaced. He was super informative and even came back a few days later to bring us a window unit while we waited for the part to come in. The entire staff at Anchor was extremely nice and did a great job keeping us updated on timeline. Will definitely recommend Anchor and use them again!
Luke W.
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Ron was an excellent representative for Anchor Heating & Air. Courteous, professional, and extremely knowledgeable. Would recommend for everyone!
mark S.
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Cindy O.
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BRANDON at Anchor Heating and Air did a fabulous job checking out our HVAC systems. He was professional and we were impressed with his knowledge and skill. When he left we felt comfortable and confident that our systems were in great shape for the upcoming summer season. Highly recommended.
Linda B.
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Jordan was very efficient and professional . I had a positive experience with Anchor heating and air
Alexandra M.
1714910648
Amazing service, on time and very good communication. Thorough exam of my unit and explained issues well.
John L.
1714866879
He was on time and very thorough in his inspection and check up.
Eli A.
1714839158
Great company to work with.They go above and beyond to fix problem.
Steven Z.
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Ken S.
1714681521
Anchor Heating and Air once again surpassed our expectations. Their preventative maintenance program is very affordable and they make sure your HVAC is up and running for the season. I’d like to give a shout out Brandon. Great guy and a true professional. Thanks again.
Quero D.
1714595974
It would be good to not receive multiple review requests until you guys do the actual service. I have received 4 requests to provide 5 star reviews but you are not scheduled to do the service until next week. However, once the service guy, Ron turned up he was great, professional, knowledgeable and explained everything he was doing and made recommendations to keep the units in good shape - thank you Ron.
Alex F.
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John G.
1714494424
Anchor Heating sent Jordan Mussleman to my house for a maintenance inspection. After he completed his work, he spent an incredible amount of time using pictures from his phone to discuss everything that he inspected. He is a very professional and pleasant employee who helps to make Anchor a fantastic company! I would recommend Anchor Heating/AC in a heartbeat!
Stuart B.
1714438063
Appreciate the friendliness and professionalism of Jeremy Lee who came out to provide an estimate for a replacement HVAC system. Jeremy spoke highly of Anchor and the friendliness of his co-workers. It would have been great to do business with the folks at Anchor just based on what Jeremy thought of his colleagues. I received a call from a co-owner, David who reached out to me to find out what I was thinking. Great family business and when circumstances allow, I will reach out to them again.
G R.
1714304454
They are on-time professionals who know what they're doing.
Jan J.
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Donald H.
1714061328
Rick Simmons did an excellent job with our dual system preventative maintenance. He was thorough and efficient and discussed all the inspection results with us. Very happy with our service!
René M.
1713999337
Brian was amazing and found the issue within minutes, which was not identified by 3 other companies
Katherine K.
1713959609
courteous and knowledgeable
Katherine K.
1713898706
very courteous and knowledgeable
Ricky G.
1713887357
Awesome, prompt, and is going to fix all the less than stellar work done by other companies👍
Kathy H.
1713885153
We called Anchor Heating and Air the day before Christmas Eve. What a pleasant experience! We had family coming in and our heating unit was making a noise. We were worried it could stop working. Rick Simmons was available and was at our house within an hour. He was obviously skilled and knowledgeable. He thoroughly checked it out and made sure all was OK. It was just the extra cold weather we were experiencing. Anchor was in constant contact after our initial call letting us know Rick’s experience, telling us about his great customer service and sending tracking info so we would know exactly when to expect him. Rick did a professional job for us and we would not only call on Anchor and Rick Simmons again but we highly recommend if anyone needs help with heating and air service to call them. You wont be disappointed.
Birdie N.
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Brandon Adrian Ryan and Jack were all wonderful during the installation. The company as a whole is very responsive professional and thorough and I will co time to use them on my personal and investment properties!
Joseph H.
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Thanks David and Stephanie and all the crew at Anchor. You are always a pleasure to work with, efficient, responsive, reliable, and priced fair. Thanks for the recent annual service plan and the great service.
Rob R.
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Rick was on time and provided excellent service.
Ellie D.
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Our experience with Doug was fabulous.
Erin B.
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Jordan was very courteous and knew exactly what he had to do . It was a very hot day for him to be working outside and in the attic but he didn't complain. He was very knowledgeable. I am happy we chose Anchor to perform yearly maintenance.
James V.
1713352923
Anchor Heating & Air Conditioning performed an outstanding job on the preventative maintenance review of my HVAC system. Both Brian & Brandon, technicians for Anchor H&A were excellent & did a fantastic job for the annual inspection. I highly recommend Anchor for your HVAC needs & them them 5 Stars. Respectfully, Daniel Vara, Charleston, SC
Julie S.
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All of the team at Anchor Heating and Air have been awesome! Very professional, yet friendly and treat you like family. Great choice for all of your heating and air needs.
Patrick S.
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Awesome experience with Anchor Heating and Air. They were on time an the service Technician Doug took the time to explain everything. Best part was he took photos to show us what he found. Would definitely recommend them to all...
Leilei Z.
1712963947
Rick showed up on time. He was friendly, professional, and did an awesome and thorough job. I received a comprehensive report including photos and checklist. Anchor has always been awesome. Thanks a lot!
Peggy C.
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Excellent service & repair- will use this company again.
Will S.
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Prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable service. I really appreciate Brian’s help.
martha S.
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Rickey P.
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Technician Rick Simmons was the greatest. Polite and caring while providing excellent service while answering any questions. Anchor made a big repair last fall and continue to excell. Thanks team!!!!
Laraine W.
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Ron was great, he was thorough and took the time to explain his procedures and what he was finding.
Peggy C.
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Excellent customer & technical service. Very pleased with this company & employees and will definitely use again!
Geoffrey W.
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Brandon and his crew were clean fast and efficient
C M.
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Brandon and Adrian were great. The unit is very quiet and is running beautiful. Thanks for all your help
Pamela A.
1712153251
Our technician Ron at Anchor Heating and Air was fantastic! He was communicative before arrival, during the visit, and afterwards with follow-up. We needed a follow-up visit, and had the same experience. The diagnosis of the problem was correct and the fix was handled promptly. Definitely recommend!
Sullivan C.
1712092313
Brandon Adrian did a great job installing the HVAC! Great guy as well!
MyPageone M.
1711891240
Hats off to two of Anchor’s great technicians. Ryan and Andrew arrived to my home on time to perform a service that I thought would take most of the day. They were very polite and professional. They worked together diligently and professionally. They completed the job in good timing. It was a pleasure having you in my home. 🏡
Tim L.
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Brooke B.
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Brandon and crew were excellent with our replacement HVAC install! Very professional and went above and beyond (on a holiday weekend) after realizing we needed an additional part to complete the install. The service was impeccable and we’re so glad we went with Anchor! Highly recommend this company for any HVAC needs!
Thomas N.
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Technician was prompt, knowledgeable, friendly and clean. He did an excellent job.
Corinne S.
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Tracy M.
1711535210
I couldn’t be happier with the service provided by Rick from Anchor Heating & Air. From his initial greeting to the time he left after performing maintenance on our 5 units, he was everything you’d want a service provider to be. Not only did he perform the work with care and expertise, he explained what & why I needed to replace a few parts. He included photos he had taken inside my HVAC units to compare with industry standards to show the disparity.He left my home in the same order he found it and assured me he’d return ASAP with new parts. In under a week, the parts are in and I’m scheduled to have them I stalled.I welcome Rick back into my home anytime to continue to service our HVAC units. He is a wonderful asset to Anchor Heating & Air.
Nancy J.
1711461812
Brian has been courteous and pleasant and professional. He has gone above and beyond to give us exceptional service
Joseph P.
1711453954
Jordan was very courteous and conscientious. He spent a lot of time checking and cleaning our systems. He gave us a very thorough update on the status of our heat pumps, including pictures.
roger S.
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Don B.
1710954659
Two visits. Both individuals were polite and courteous. They explained what they were going to do and explained what they found when finished. Excellent work!
Celia S
1710788815
Came on time. Cleaned up. Pleasant. Very good.
Lauren D.
1710757965
Always an excellent experience all around with anchor. Great communication and customer service!
Jennifer B.
1710682469
Fantastic customer service, products, and team members! 100% recommend!
Lynn W.
1710646290
Office staff were great communicators and responded quickly to questions and request for service appointments including texting me when service technician was on the way.The technician was very knowledgeable and summarized the appointment and the repair options thoroughly. The repair (part replacement) was quickly done since he had the part on the truck.I am thoroughly pleased with the level of service from Anchor and the employees I dealt with.
Erica P.
1710627360
Great people with amazing attention to detail.
Fred Blake S.
1710623449
Anchor is fantastic! We have had plenty of neighbors recommend them and they are still happy with all of their services done in the neighborhood of Village Green!
Resa B.
1710604113
Excellent service!!
K. Sharon B.
1710545252
Great fast service
Chuck S.
1710540257
Very professional, on time, knew the system well and gave a candid assessment of the performance of our system. A satisfied returning customer.
Laura I.
1710539613
This was the first time using Anchor since they acquired Green Dot in the Charleston area. I was super pleased and impressed with their HVAC PM service - from the ease of scheduling, to receiving confirmation, alerts tracking arrival of the technician, the tech service and communication and photos of work done on our equipment. Happy to recommend Anchor Heating and Air
William B.
1710538668
They came and did the job efficiently and cleaned up everything. Would hardly know that they were here except our roof problems are resolved.
William G.
1706893236
So glad we hooked up with these guys for our service and repair needs. Fair prices and good honest work. Refreshing to still have that in today's world.
Hank G.
1706706383
Cullen came to our house and did a great job of servicing our equipment. He was knowledgeable, and answered all of our questions very professionally.
Donald H.
1706540963
Jack and Ryan did an excellent job, discovering a few issues we had and conducting a dryer vent cleaning. We are very satisfied with the work they accomplished and the diagnosis of our HVAC issues.
Robert C.
1706535193
Excellent Service… Knowledgable… highly Reccommend
David M.
1706372380
Excellent job following up shoddy work by Green Dot!
Barry S.
1706307116
Very professional.
Carol C.
1705932448
Although I could not be present when my scheduled maintenance was performed I was totally impressed with the service I received. Rick was on time, very polite on the phone, and based on the time he was at my residence I have to say very thorough in the work performed. He called to explain his findings and even provided photos. I look forward to continuing my relationship with your company!
Chris D.
1705893260
Great company, we are using them for our Kiawah rental. They are very responsive and good at keeping us updated on when they are coming out to the house.
Anna
1704554490
This was a great experience using Anchor. They are fabulous! I have been a landlord forever so I appreciate greatly how professional, friendly and on time they were. This was a tricky downtown Charleston installation high up on a roof and they were perfect.
E N.
1704221019
I came home after the holidays to no heat. One call to Anchor and Rick met me at the house that afternoon and had the unit up and running in no time. The entire team was kind, courteous and knowledgeable. A really pleasant experience!
Martin G.
1704140878
Prompt. Polite. Detailed and thorough. .
Nancy W.
1703006716
The best service ever responded right away and very compassionate toward the client. More companies should be like this company
Rick E.
1702983682
Very responsive, thorough and friendly
pabcoaching P.
1701313964
Outstanding workmanship. Dependable, Skilled, Timely, Great Work Ethic.
Shelli V.
1701258131
Cullen was thorough, professional, on time and knowledgeable
Jim C.
1701130896
Called Anchor when 10 year old air conditioner went out. They responded quickly and found the problem. They presented me repair and replacement options. I optied for a new system, and scheduled an installation date. They arrived on time, and quickly installed the new system. I found both Anchor's office staff and technicians to be knowlegable, professional and extremely courteous. I can highly recommend them.
Craig D.
1701102320
I called on Anchor a few times last year and they were always attentive, flexible and professional. I'd say they are my go-to at this point.
jack F.
1701083387
FRENDLY AND VERY THOROUGH SERVICE
Tim P.
1700920568
Anchor Heating and Air's Technician Cullen Rahman was delayed due to high traffic, but call before the appointed time to inform us, which is not usual with other companies.Cullen was polite, knowledgeable and efficient. Even though is was raining, he maintained a very professional attitude and completed the task efficiently.I would highly recommend Anchor Heating and Air for all your HVAC needs.
OJ G.
1700670335
I received excellent service. It is refreshing to find a company that does not recommend unnecessary repairs.
Carrie T.
1700665842
Exceptional service!
Jerry W.
1700660425
If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! You start off with owners who care about their customers, community, and employees. You mix in their employees who take the time to explain everything they're doing and to actually do the job thoroughly without cutting corners. And then, to constantly give back to the community...This is the recipe for success! You can't go wrong with selecting Anchor for all your HVAC needs!
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