Spending On Your HVAC System Can Mean Savings (NAPSA)—Any time of year can be the right time to take a closer look at your home’s heating and cooling systems. Monitoring the system’s status regularly is one way to make sure everything is running at peak efficiency. If a furnace or the air conditioner is more than 10 years old, or if the unit is not operating properly, it may be time to consider replacingit. In addition, here are some sim- ple things you can do to save energy and lower yourutility bills if replacement is not on your agendayet: Changethefilter regularly— Theair filter should be changed at least every three months. In addition to helping your system run as efficiently as possible, a clean filter will help extend your system’slife span and reduce odors, dust and allergenscirculating in your home. Install a programmable thermostat—To take the guesswork out of setting the thermostat and to ensure year-round comfort, consider a programmable thermostat. Most can be installed in under an hour and some are even preprogrammed with optimum energy- Be Add insulation to your ceiling—A properly insulated home can use less energy in the winter for heating and less energy in the efficient system. Using the services of a professional, such as the staff at The Home Depot HomeServices, can makereplacing a heating and cooling system a breeze. They provide installation services and finance saving temperaturesettings. summerfor cooling. You can save up to 30 percent on your home’s energy costs by insulating your attic to the proper R-value, which is the standard rating for how well insulation works. Savings, however, can vary. To learn more about R-values and insulating power, consult a resource such as the Web MAKE SAVING A BREEZE—you Can save up to 30 percent on your home’s energy costs by insulating your attic to the proper Rvalue. site at homedepot.com. Experts there can help you understand how R-values work and determine the right insulation for your home. If yourutility bills are still out of control or certain parts of your homeare uncomfortably hot or cold, check the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) on your unit. The minimumrating allowed to be manufactured today is 18, so if your system is rated below today’s standard, you maybe able to lower your energy costs with a newer, more options. To learn more or to schedule a free in-home consultation from a technician, visit homedepot.com/ installation or call (800) HOME DEPOT. Note to Editors: The license numbers of licensed technicians are available at www.homedepot.com /licensenumbers.
