Heating And Air Conditioning: Tips For The Average Homeowner

By: Norman Fleming..

Do you realize just how very important it is to keep your home heating and air conditioning unit running smoothly and efficiently. No doubt you realize that by doing this you will cut your utility bills. True - but did you also realize that by keeping them running efficiently you can extend their operational life greatly -- thus saving you the tremendously high cost of total replacement of these units?

First things first: Before you do anything else, make sure that you have properly prepared your home so that it is more energy efficient. There are some simple things that every homeowner should do, such as adding (or upgrading the quality of) your home insulation, adding caulking and weatherstripping, and even the investment in a programmable digital thermostat can make a big difference in your energy consumption.

Perhaps you've done all of that, and are ready for more. In that case, you can install a humidifier for your whole house. The additional moisture in the winter will make you feel much warmer. In addition to installing the humidifier, you can purchase some ceiling fans. You can operate them in both the summer and winter months - just reverse the direction of the fan blades to handle cooler verses hotter air.

If it has been some time since your heating or air conditioning unit has been inspected, then you should have them inspected by a qualified HVAC professional. Coils and baffles on your air conditioner may need cleaned, or refrigerant replaced. Your furnace may need cleaned, and critical parts may need repaired before they break down. Regular maintenance is key to keeping them operating at peak efficiency.

The government can help you also -- when you choose to replace your furnace or air conditioner, you always want to purchase units that have a good ENERGY STAR rating. If an appliance has qualified as an ENERGY STAR appliance, it has met certain standards for operating and energy efficiency. In addition, there are many government and non-profit websites that you can consult for valuable information and recommendations.

What are some of those online resources? Well you can go to www.consumerguide.com . Or you can go to the EPA (The Environmental Protection Agency) at www.epa.gov, or the American Council for Energy Efficient Economy at www.aceee.org. You can find those ENERGY STAR appliances I mentioned in the previous paragraph at www.energystar.gov.

Let me sound a note of warning here: many people think that they can save on the cost of installing new HVAC equipment by doing the installation themselves. DON'T! Why not? Because you, dear reader, do not have the specialized training (not to mention the tools) necessary to do the job properly. Why risk botching the job? Then you will have to pay a professional to come in and do the installation all over again.

The same thing goes for repairs: if your HVAC equipment - and of it - needs repairs, don't make the mistake of poking around it yourself. You might damage your unit even further, void the warranty, and even injure yourself of your family. Find a good, reliable HVAC technician, give him all of your business, and you'll surely rest easier at night.

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About the author: Norman Fleming is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning specialist. To learn about home heating and air conditioning and air conditioner filters visit his site.
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