Home Decorating Ideas - The Importance of HVAC Repair and Maintenance

According to news reports, this winter will bring some of the costliest heating bills ever. These extra high prices won't be because of an unusually cold winter season. Rather, energy analysts all over the country cite rising fuel and gas prices. With unending conflict in the Middle East, storms that devastated the Gulf Coast, and a shaky economy, those who heat their homes with natural gas can expect to pay more than 38% of what they paid last year, according to the US Department of Energy. And homes heated primarily by propane can see increases as high as 18%.

Propane and natural gas furnaces are not the only ones that will be affected. It is estimated that homes powered by electricity will also suffer from these higher costs. They can expect as much as 9% increases in their monthly bills.

Different Ways to Reduce Heating Costs

Energy experts suggest many different ways to offset these rising prices. Some of the more popular recommendations include adding extra insulation throughout the home, installing double insulated windows, and limiting activity to only one or two rooms. And while yes, these extra measures will certainly help reduce heating costs, one of the easiest and most practical ways of lowering monthly bills is by repairing or replacing inefficient HVAC units.

Maintenance and Repair of HVAC Units

Short for 'Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning,' an HVAC unit is in charge of regulating the temperature throughout the home. Most homeowners really don't devote that much time to thinking about their HVAC units unless they break down. As a result, many systems build up a tremendous amount of dust throughout the year due to neglect. Doing a simple routine dusting of the ducts and screens can dramatically increase the overall efficiency of an HVAC system. These cleanings should take place at least twice a year, preferably every two to three months. Something as simple as a wet rag or nontoxic, alcohol based cleaner is usually sufficient.

Hiring a Technician to Clean HVAC Systems

Many homeowners who don't feel that they have the time or knowledge to conduct this type of maintenance hire HVAC technicians to come out and do extremely thorough cleanings a couple times a year. While having HVAC systems cleaned out professionally costs extra in the short run, the money saved from lower heating and cooling bills more than offsets the technician's fee. As an added bonus, most technicians are trained to repair and upgrade old or faulty systems that might be performing well below optimal levels regardless of how clean they might be.

How Much Does an HVAC Technician Cost?

The prices vary depending on how recently the system was last cleaned, what region of the country the home is in, the size of the house, the make and model of the HVAC unit, the cleaning company, and the extent of the wear and tear of the actual unit. But a homeowner can expect to pay as little as $50, or as much as several hundred dollars for an extremely thorough cleaning and/or repair.

How to Save Even More Money

Homeowners who are serious about saving money in the long run should consider investing in a new HVAC unit. There has been tremendous technological progress over the past several years, and some of the more modern HVAC systems are exceptionally energy-efficient. It also helps to research those systems that have been approved by Energy Star or the US Department of Energy.

Installing an HVAC Unit

While it's certainly feasible to install a unit on one's own, it is highly recommended that homeowners hire a professional contractor to handle all of the installation. Because most contractors offer a warranty for their labor, if a problem should arise down the road, fixing it should be relatively easy. There are many different contracting outfits with varying costs. To get an idea of how much one should expect to pay, HVAC OpCost offers an excellent pricing guide that takes in to account many different variables such as size, location, energy output, and square footage.

Additional Reasons for Installing a New HVAC Unit

Here are some other reasons installing a new HVAC unit (as opposed to maintaining or repairing an old one) might be the best option for you.

• Environmental Concerns -- Faced with constant reports of global warming, there is added pressure on every homeowner to conserve the Earth's precious resources as wisely and as efficiently as possible. Simple things like turning off the lights when leaving the room or recycling reusable materials are simply not enough to slow down climate change. Given that people spend upwards of 90% of their time indoors, it should be quite obvious how important it is to use energy-efficient heating and cooling systems to regulate inside temperatures.

• Health Concerns -- Because dirty, old, or faulty HVAC units often recycle dust particles and other harmful toxins, it makes a lot of sense to purchase a new system and clean it regularly. This is especially important for homeowners who live with the elderly, the infirmed, or the young. Failure to act could result in serious medical complications down the road; complications that will most likely be far more expensive than the cost of replacing an HVAC unit.

Although repairing or replacing HVAC systems might seem costly or impractical on the front-end, the extra expense is well worth it when one considers the lower energy bills, the lower likelihood of medical complications, and the healthier environment that comes as a result. It's simply a wise investment.

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