With the recent surge in energy costs, it is important for all homeowners to know how to get the most out of their heating and air conditioning systems. Whether you have central air or individual units, oil or gas heat, these basic utilities can be extremely expensive if you do not properly maintain them. And depending on where you live you might need to use them for several months of the year.

In the this article we will be giving homeowners a number of valuable tips on how to get the most out of their heating and air conditioning systems.

Tip 1 – Even if you are talking about hot or cold air, you must make sure that you always have good airflow. The leading reason why airways become clogged is soiled air filters. That is why it is vital that you check your filters once a month. If you see that they are worn or soiled, simply visit a hardware store and buy replacement air filters. This easy suggestion can save you hundreds of dollars annually on energy costs.

Tip 2 – The next thing to check is your evaporator and condenser coils. This may sound very technical to you, however it is easy to ask a professional how to check and perform upkeep on them while they are being installed. It is important to check on the evaporator because it may become blocked up, which will make your system work more than it usually would.

Tip 2 – It is also important that you check your evaporator and condenser coils. Though these sound like technical terms, it is easy enough to ask a professional how to check and perform maintenance on them when they are being installed. The reason that it is important to keep an eye on the evaporator is because it may become clogged, which will cause your system to work harder than it normally does. This will inevitably raise you energy bills and cause your system to wear down faster than it should. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can always clean your condensing coils by simply running them under the hose. But be sure not to treat them gently and never use a powerful stream of water.

You can also clean your evaporator coil with a bit of dish soap and warm water. Just use an old toothbrush to gently clean the insides, taking care not to damage the fins.

Tip 3 – Fallen insulation and crushed or damaged duct lines will also affect the temperature in your home. If you discover either of these problems, make sure you contact your service company and ask that they be replaced. Unless you have a great deal of experience with insulation or duct repair, it is probably not a good idea to go crawling around in your attic looking for the problem.

Tip 4 – In the end, it is a superb idea to buy a service agreement from a service company. Such agreements are commonly inexpensive and will ensure that a trained professional will come to your house and examine your system at least twice in a year and will do upkeep and repairs and do the required cleanings on all of your filters and coils.

Just as we have our cars serviced, having the heating and cooling systems in our homes serviced is a preventative measure and a good investment that could end up saving us hundreds of dollars a year in home energy expenses.

About the author: Jerry Dyess has been involved in the Electricity market segment for the past 7 years. He has published many articles on Business Electric rates.