Every day we make purchasing decisions - from choosing a favorite soft drink or buying a new car. Choosing your comfort is the trend in home heating and cooling services. Gone are the days when cooling a home meant wedging a heavy a/c unit into the bedroom window, or heating meant enduring another winter in stuffy living areas. Today Americans can choose a home comfort system to meet year-round needs for climate control, energy savings, air quality and noise reduction.

Q: Can I reduce energy costs by replacing an older commercial HVAC system?

Updating an HVAC System Offers Future Savings
Replacing an old, inefficient HVAC system doesn't need to be a financial burden. It can be a company's chance to cut energy costs. Engineers have a much better understanding of the heating and cooling demands on commercial buildings. New HVAC designs waste less energy and less money. Here are some strategies to consider when investing in a new HVAC system:

• Invest in the highest-efficiency boiler, furnace, chiller, air handler and rooftop unit that your company can afford. High-efficiency systems use less energy and cost less in utility bills.
• Recalculate the energy load on your building. Chances are the building and its use has changed since the previous system was installed.
• With better building efficiency, you may be able to install a smaller and less costly HVAC system. Simple measures like reducing the lighting level, insulating windows and sealing duct leaks may decrease HVAC demands.
• Appliances and other equipment also can emit heat and strain your HVAC system. Evaluate their use and energy costs.
• Consider automating energy management. Various new computerized systems adjust air flow and temperature based on occupancy, building use and other factors.

Q: How can I keep the air clean when I use a woodstove to heat?

Tips for Heating with Woodstoves
Many Americans who heat homes with furnaces also enjoy the warmth of a woodstove in a great room or kitchen. When heating with a woodstove, keep soot and harmful emissions from indoor air. Here are some DIY heating tips for the safe use of woodstoves:

1. Make sure the doors fit tightly on your woodstove. If you have an older woodstove, the gaskets on the doors may contain asbestos. If you think they do, check the EPA web site for safe handling of asbestos, or contact a service professional.
2. Use aged or dried wood in your woodstove. Don't use wood that is chemically treated or pressure-treated.
3. Follow your owner's manual when starting, stoking and extinguishing the woodstove fire.

Q: How can I keep my home safe from carbon monoxide pollution?

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, unscented and at high levels can be a deadly gas. Lower concentrations of carbon monoxide can cause headaches, lightheadedness and fatigue. Winter months may pose health and safety risks with heating systems. Poorly maintained chimneys and flues may release carbon monoxide and other harmful gases into the air. Fireplaces and woodstoves that do not have ample outdoor air supply can pour carbon monoxide and other pollutants into living spaces. Here are some DIY home heating projects that will help keep the air clean, and keep you and your family safe:

• When using a space heater, allow some air flow in the room. Open a door in the room where the space heater is located. It's a good idea to crack a window as well.
• When using an un-vented kerosene or gas space heater, follow the manufacturer's instructions for fuel use and maintenance. • A yellow-tipped flame is an indication of harmful gases. The flame tip should be blue.
• Don't use a gas stove to heat your home.
• Keep the flue open when the fireplace is in use.
• When purchasing a new woodstove, make sure it is sized properly for your home and meets EPA standards.

Q: Will buying ENERGY STAR appliances save me money?

ENERGY STAR Label: Symbol for Efficiency
Buying ENERGY STAR products saves money on utility bills and protects the environment. ENERGY STAR is a government-backed guarantee that the appliance you buy meets strict efficiency standards. That's a big plus for households with heating and cooling systems, which are big energy users.

The EPA says that if one in 10 households bought ENERGY STAR heating and cooling products, the change would keep 17 billion pounds of pollution out of the air.
ENERGY STAR products include thermostats, boilers, heat pumps and air conditioners, among other items. You pay a little more upfront, but can save thousands of dollars in utility bills over the service life of the product.

Homeowners can do their part to keep ENERGY STAR products running efficiently. Hire qualified professionals to size and install heating and cooling systems.

Q: What kind of features should I look for in a home comfort system?

Air Quality, Noise Affect Home Comfort
When shopping for home cooling and heating services, look for these features for optimal comfort and savings:

1. Home climate control. High-efficiency devices include zoned heating by rooms and programmable thermostats set to match your schedule.
2. Efficiency. Energy savings result from high-efficiency systems sized and installed correctly in your home. Invest in the highest efficiency system you can afford for the greatest energy savings. Ask the service professional to calculate your home's cooling and heating load to get the proper fit for your new system. An over-sized or undersized system wastes money and needs repairs.
3. Air quality. Air pollution levels often are highest inside homes. A quality heating and cooling system will dehumidify and filter the air to reduce moisture and prevent mold and other pollutants.
4. Noise reduction. You want to relax at home, and not hear the radiator clang or the air conditioner drone. Shop for home comfort systems that provide quiet and efficient methods for cooling and heating.

Q: What is a SEER rating on an air conditioner?

Before you buy a new air conditioner, you need to learn some of the industry language. It will help you find an efficient model that does not waste energy and saves money on monthly utility bills. Look for the SEER rating on new air conditioners. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the rating, the more efficiently the air conditioner operates.

The federal government requires a minimum SEER of 13 out of a maximum rating of 20. Why does the government set standards? Higher-efficiency air conditioners save energy and cause less pollution.

Consumers also save money on electric bills. Well-designed new air conditioners are up to 70 percent more efficient than the current average. This can yield significant savings for consumers over the service life of their air conditioner.

Q: How do I know if there are problems with air quality in my home?

Identify Indoor Air Quality Problems and Comfort Concerns
Take this quiz to find out if you have air quality problems at home:

1. Does the air in your home feel clammy or wet?
2. Does your home overheat or get too cold?
3. Does your home get stuffy?
4. Do you suffer from indoor allergies?
5. Do odors linger in the kitchen and other rooms?

Answering yes to one or more of these questions can be a sign of problems with the atmosphere and comfort of your home. Perhaps you need extra dehumidification to reduce moisture or sensitive filtration systems to clean mold spores from the air. Identifying air problems is the first step to finding a residential HVAC system that meets your needs.

Q: How do I know if I'm making the best investment in a new HVAC system?

Dependability, Efficiency Key for HVAC Systems
Your HVAC dealer has met with you and evaluated your home. You received a customized product offer to meet your needs and the needs of your home. It likely will be one of the biggest household product purchases you make. How can you tell if the new heating and cooling system IS the right investment? Here are some qualities to look for in a new HVAC system:

• Dependability. Does the manufacturer have a solid reputation and track record for products and service?
• Energy savings. Is the new HVAC system energy efficient? If it carries the EPA ENERGY STAR label, you know it meets strict efficiency standards.
• Air quality. Make sure the HVAC system will reduce indoor air pollution. With pet dander, household chemicals, dust and smoke, pollution may be highest in your home.
• Climate control. Look for variable speed systems that offer better temperature control.

Q: Why is it important to choose the right-size HVAC system?

Choose the Right Size for a New HVAC Unit
Ask your HVAC dealer for help choosing a system that meets the heating and cooling demands of your home or building.
Don't expect to replace an old heating and cooling system with a new one the same size. Systems often were oversized in older homes and buildings. Better technology shows that oversized systems don't work as well. They are inefficient, wasting money and energy. Undersized systems work too hard to heat and cool rooms. Either way, poorly sized HVAC units will have more problems and a shorter service life.

Q: Do I need to clean my furnace filter?

Breathe Easier When You Clean, Replace Furnace Filters
Clean and replace furnace filters regularly to keep your heating system running efficiently. Dirty and dusty filters are the reason for half the repair calls to service technicians.

When buying replacement filters, there are different types to meet your needs. Keep in mind that some filters are better than others at keeping allergens out of the air.

• Disposable or washable filters work fine at keeping your furnace clean. They collect large particles, but may not keep out mold spores, pollen and other allergens.
• Pleated filters may be a better choice for reducing allergens. They can cost as little as $5 or $10. But be prepared to pay more for more effective filtration.
• A high-efficiency pleated air filter costs around $250 to $450. Contact your service technician for information and help.
• Electronic air cleaners work best at removing dust, mold and other pollutants from the air. They're more expensive, too. They may range in price from $600 to $900. But the cost may be offset by lower health care bills and a more comfortable indoor environment.

HVAC Contractors Offer Yearly Maintenance
Ask your HVAC contractor to check your heating and cooling system annually. It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in the spring or fall, ahead of peak seasons for running HVAC systems. Summers and winters also are peak times for HVAC contractors to work, and their schedules fill fast. The following is a thorough list for an HVAC system checkup:

• Check thermostat settings.
• Review electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors.
• Lubricate all moving parts.
• Check and clean the drain.
• Make sure the system starts and shuts off properly.
• Clean air conditioning coils.
• Check and refresh refrigerant levels.
• Clean blower parts.
• Check all gas (or oil) connections.
• Clean or change air filters.