HVAC Tips For Homeowners

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?

But before you do anything else, please make sure that you have made your home as energy efficient as possible. There are some simple things that should be on your to-do list: adding or upgrading your home insulation, adding weatherstripping, caulking around your windows. Even buying and installing a digital, programmable thermostat will make a significant contribution to your home's energy efficiency.

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.

Of course, if it has been ages since you have had your furnace or air conditioner inspected, then you need to call your local HVAC repair and service center. The technician will be able to adjust your units for maximum operational efficiency, and they might just spot a problem in the making before it gets out of hand - again, saving you a bundle on repair costs. Regular maintenance of your appliances is key to keeping them running efficiently.

Your greatest ally as a homeowner may very well be the government. This is because you can find government (as well as non-profit) ratings - like the ENERGY STAR ratings system - to help give you unbiased information on the performance of appliances. In particular, an ENERGY STAR appliance has met government testing standards for energy and cost efficiency. If you need further help, you can consult government and non-profit websites for detailed product listings and recommendations.

What are some of these online websites? 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.

About the author: Norman Fleming is a home heating expert. For tips about home heating and air conditioning and passive solar heating on his site.
This and other unique content home heating articles are available with free reprint rights.

Article Source: http://www.wellnessarticlelibrary.com

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated