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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The same thing goes for HVAC repairs. If you lack the specialized tools and know-how, you could actually end up damaging your unit even further, hurt yourself, and void your manufacturer or dealer warranties. If you choose a good HVAC professional for any necessary repairs or installation of a new unit, you can be assured the job will be done the right way, the FIRST time. Doing it any other way is just a waste of time and money.

Article Source: http://www.thewahmshack.com/articledirectory/

About The Author:  About the author: Norman Fleming is a home heating expert. He has information about home heating and air conditioning and passive solar heating on his site.

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