If you are a homeowner, you know the importance of keeping your heating and air conditioning units in tip-top condition. Doing this will not only save you money by keeping your appliances running efficiently, but it will also extend the useful operating life of these units, and you will avoid VERY costly total replacements. So, in this brief article I want to outline some tips and strategies that you, the average homeowner, can use. 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. If you are up to doing more significant projects, then you should purchase a whole-house humidifier. When you add moisture to your home's air, it will make you feel warmer and more comfortable in the winter months. In addition to a humidifier, you can purchase ceiling fans. These fans can be operated in both the summertime as well as in the winter - and they are quiet and energy efficient. 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. One of your greatest allies is the government. They, as well as several non-profit organizations, maintain resource websites with all sorts of information. And if you are in need of a brand-new unit, make sure that you look for one that has met the qualifications to be listed as an ENERGY STAR appliance. These are appliances that are very efficient - the ones that you want to consider purchasing. What are some of these online resources? Well you can go to www.consumerguide.com - the Consumer Guide site. 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 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. Again, if your equipment needs repairs, don't assume that you can repair it -- you can't. If you poke around your HVAC equipment you could hurt yourself, damage the equipment further, and also void your manufacturer warranty. Get a hold of a good HVAC man, and use him -- you won't have to worry about the job going wrong, and will rest easy knowing that you will get years and years from your new air conditioner or furnace.
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If you are a homeowner, you know the importance of keeping your heating and air conditioning units in tip-top condition. Doing this will not only save you money by keeping your appliances running efficiently, but it will also extend the useful operating life of these units, and you will avoid VERY costly total replacements. So, in this brief article I want to outline some tips and strategies that you, the average homeowner, can use.
Author: Norman Fleming is a home heating and air conditioning expert. To learn about DIY home heating and window air conditioners and portable air conditioners visit his site. Get your own completely unique content version of this article.
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