Following these air conditioning and heating tips to keep your systems in tip-top shape and performing correctly.  A properly maintained air conditioning and heating system saves energy and will help keep your family safe.  Heating and cooling systems in disrepair can create a serious safety hazard.  Here are some tips to follow to maintain your system.

Inspection –   Your system should be inspected regularly by a North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certified technician to maintain optimum performance.  Your heating unit should be examined twice a year, while your air conditioning system should be inspected at least once per year.

Programmable thermostats do save money  – Significant energy savings can be realized by setting up your programmable thermostat to your family’s daily life.  For example, if everyone’s out of the house during the daytime, then don’t keep the house really warm for the houseplants alone!  Set the thermostat to start warming up the house at 5pm, so by the time you all walk in at 6pm the house is warm & inviting. 

Escaping air is escaping money – Look closely at window seals, doors and vents.  If air leaks out, then it’s costing you money on your heating & cooling bill.  Most of the time, fixing a door seal or caulking a window is an inexpensive, easy fix and a good investment of your time.

Another easy fix is changing the air filters regularly – For an efficient heating & cooling system and healthier air for your family to breath, be sure to check the filters monthly and make regularly scheduled changes at least every quarter.  Air filters collect pollen, dust, and bacteria.  If the air filter is full the air doesn’t flow as freely through it and then it stresses your air system motor, making it less efficient.  Also, all that bacteria and dust can affect your family’s health. 

Check the outdoor condensing unit – Keep the unit outside clean and free from debris.  Keep bushes and grass clippings from the unit and check the coils for built up dirt and debris.  You can clean the coils with a vacuum.  But be sure to call a professional if deep cleaning is needed.

One last word on your furnace—A yearly inspection is recommended prior to turning on your furnace.  The combustion area and ventilation system should be checked for dirt and rust.  If you see something amiss, get a professional to repair or clean before your turn it on.

Related articles

• Myth Busters: The Right Ways to Save Energy During Cooler Weather from Reliant's Energy Expert (eon.businesswire.com)
• All about Central Air and Heat Filters (brighthub.com)
• What to know when Hiring Contractors
  

• List the budget and timeline for your project Is there anything you can do yourself?
• What experts do you need to consult for starting in on the project?
• And, do you have a friend or relative who does this for a living?
• Will they take a phone call from you every once in a while to get their opinion on an issue?
• Do you need to make arrangements for getting laundry done (if you’re working on the laundry room renovation) or how will your wife provide meals for the family if the kitchen renovation takes a month or two?
• Are there any building regulations or neighborhood association rules to review?
• Write out a timeline with specific tasks/project goals and the person/contractor doing that part of the job.

Warnings: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ask around about contractors; get referrals from friends and coworkers. Find out who they used & if they were happy with the work the contractor did. Get used to dealing with high pressure sales people. Stay focused on what your needs are and don’t let them sell you more or less. And, speaking of less…sometimes you’ll run into workers who work for the contractor you hired and on the side they offer to come do a job for you for less than their boss is charging you. Be wary – if they’ll go behind their bosses back, they’ll probably do something on the sly for you too.

Unfortunately, you can’t do business on a handshake any more. Be sure to get a quote in writing with a description of the work to be done, who is responsible for supplies for the project, and the specific start date & anticipated end date listed.

If the contractor asks you for a large deposit of money before the work can begin, then rethink this contractor. Do not pay more money unless the job is running on time and definitely do not pay in full until the job is completed satisfactorily. If a worker asks to borrow one of your tools, don’t do it. You then take on a different type of liability if he were to get injured while using your tool. And, make sure your home has a “sitter”. Either you or someone you trust to watch over your property while workers are there.

Lastly, does your contractor belong to the Better Business Bureau? Get two or more references from them, and be sure to call them to discuss the work done. Record their contractor license number, and ask about business liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

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