No matter what kind of heating system your home has, you'll want to be sure it is ready to last through the cold season. The primary step to keeping comfortable this winter is to prepare your heating system for lots of constant usage. With the chilly days of the end of the year right around the corner there is no better time to get your heating system checked out and running in good shape before you need every day. If your heat does break down in the middle of the night then here are 3 steps you can take before hiring the repairman:

1. Check that your thermostat is set properly: It may be a good idea for you to pick a cool night to test your heating system to make sure you remember how to turn it on and off before you need it. There are many different types of digital and manual thermostats available and some of them are not easy to read.
2. Make sure you have not overloaded a fuse: No matter what type of heating system you have some type of electricity is probably required. A single blown home fuse could stop your heat from turning on. You may want to call an electrician if your heat seems to pop a fuse more than once, because that could be an indicator of a larger and potentially more dangerous electrical problem in your home.
3. Consult the instruction manual: Store the written operating instructions in a nearby desk drawer thats close to your thermostat. If you have an instruction manual for your thermostat then you should read that at the first hint of problems. If you do not, then you should probably think about writing down some steps to follow in case you need to tell someone else how to turn your heat on or off in an emergency.

If you are not comfortable with any of these heat troubleshooting tips, don't hesitate to call a heating professional. If you are stuck without heat in your home then play it safe and get to a building that does have heat or at try to use an electrical room heater as a temporary measure to stay warm. The tips above are just some of the many heater repair steps you can take.

Heating furnaces are complex machines that are built to keep you comfortable and run without problems for many years, but they do need repairs every now and then.

For more tips, visit the Home Improvement Depot website and browse around, they have quite a few great tips and guides for homeowners!

Your Central Air Conditioning System is one of the most important appliances in your home during the hot summer months, but most people simply neglect it until it breaks or just doesn't keep up with the outside temps! This post talks about some very simple and basic things you can do, to make sure your Central AC System keeps you cool when you need it most!

Change Your Filters Every Month!

I realize this is a very basic thing to find as the number one thing to do, but it is also the most neglected home ac maintenance item, and also causes the most issues! The main reason most people forget to change their home HVAC filters, is simply because they don't keep them on hand and when the time comes to replace the filter, they do not have one! Get yourself a case of HVAC filters and keep them in a utility room, or some other out of the way place.

Wash The Outside Condensing Unit Every Month!

The second most important thing you can do for the health of your Air Conditioning System, is keeping the outside condenser clean of debris! While some people choose to do this only once or twice a year, I recommend you clean your ac unit at least once a month!

Try to create a habit of hosing off your condensing unit every time you cut the grass! Eventually, it will become second nature and your clean ac unit will love you even more!

Keep the Area Around the Outdoor Condenser Clear of Everything!

It is very tempting to plant a shrub alongside your outdoor condenser... thinking it will provide shade to the unit and help it work better... wrong! Manufacturers of HVAC equipment have specific clearance guidelines they recommend to make sure the unit can breath properly and vent the heat from the unit.

A good general rule of thumb is to make sure you have at least 12-18 inches of clearance on all four sides of the central condensing unit, and at least 3-6 feet of clearance on the top or side with the fan!

Install Ceiling Fans in All Rooms!

Many people try to balance the air in their home by closing off vents in one room, thinking it will divert the air into other rooms. While this works in principal, all you are effectively doing is creating a pocket of WARM air in the central duct system, and creating a high risk for moisture inside your attic, crawlspace or wall, nearest the closed vent!

Ceiling fans are an inexpensive and simple DIY way to get the air moving inside your home, and when you install fans in every room, the home AC will naturally balance itself throughout the home and help your AC system operate more efficiently!

Have the Unit Serviced Twice Each Year!

I realize money is tight in this down economy and spending money on something you rarely think about is one of the last things you want to do! That said, almost every HVAC Contractor offers a Peak Performance, or some other type of maintenance plan for your home HVAC system, usually less than $120 per year!

What you get from that $120 is generally a full system checkup twice a year, focused on the seasonality of the unit. In the springtime, the technician will come out and inspect and clean the entire air conditioning system, letting you know if any issues were found. In the fall, they will return and inspect the heating system, making sure you have a worry free winter ahead!

I can tell you from experience, having the central HVAC system serviced by a professional twice a year, is well worth the money! Make sure you ask your HVAC Contractor about it next time they call you!

User Provided Tips!

I would love it if some of you shared your tips for maintaining and extending the life of your own Home AC System. Please submit them by using the form below... and help others get the most from their own HVAC Systems!