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.

This will eventually raise your utility rates and make your system wear down quicker than it should. If you can manage it, you can always clean your condensing coils by running them under the hose. Make sure you handle them gently and do not use a strong stream of water. The fins in the condensing coils are fragile and if they are damaged you will have to buy new coils, and they are costly.

As well, you can clean your evaporator coil with some dish soap and warm water. You can use an old toothbrush to clean the insides but be cautious as to not 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.

Look around and do some research to see what firm offers the best service agreements. Like having our vehicles serviced, having the heating and cooling systems in our houses serviced is a step in preventing problems and a great investment that will end up saving us much money annually in energy costs.

Author: Jerry Dyess has written article for the Electricity market for the past 7 years. Get more information on Business Electric rates.