| By :
Adrianna Noton
Most people are comfortable at a temperature range between 68 and 74 degrees. Unfortunately, in most locations Mother Nature does not cooperate. Outside temperatures may drop below freezing or above 100. As a result, the most well insulated home may not maintain that comfort zone without the help of heating and air conditioning. Warming the home has been common for centuries. Man has made use of whatever fuel source was available to build fires. The fireplace allowed man to have a fire inside the house with less smoke to irritate the eyes. In the 1700s that Benjamin Franklin developed the first stoves that were able to provide a more adequate heat for the building. As electricity and natural gas became available these cleaner heat sources became popular. Today, it is popular to have a central unit that is able to both heat and cool the home. Forced air systems use a blower to circulate air through the house. According to the season, the air is cooled using refrigerated coils or heated using a fuel source as it passes through the system. The air also passes through a filter that traps dust particles before it is distributed back into the house. For greatest efficiency, forced air systems need regular maintenance. Without maintenance, systems begin to lose efficiency. The result for the occupants of the home is that utility bills start to increase. Many times consumers that do not maintain their systems will spend far more in increased utility cost than they would have paid for annual maintenance. The residents of the home can complete some of the maintenance required by a forced air system. The air filter must be changed regularly or it begins to inhibit airflow. Inhibited airflow can quickly start to decrease the efficiency of the unit. Most homeowners will find that changing the filter is a task that can easily be completed. Other homeowner maintenance includes ensuring that there are no weeds, leaves or other debris collecting around the condenser unit outside the home. At least once each year a professional should service the forced air unit. During the appointment, the technician will check the system to ensure that the refrigerant level is balanced and add more if needed. In addition, the technician will check the mechanics of the system. If needed, he or she may clean the coils both inside and outside of the house. When systems stop working, the homeowner should check to see if a circuit breaker is in the tripped position. Resetting the circuit may restore the unit so the home temperature is maintained. If resetting the unit does not cause it to start again or if the breaker trips again, it is time to call an HVAC service company. Heating and air conditioning systems have advanced a long way from fireplaces and wood stoves. These modern units keep the house warm without all the work of cutting and splitting wood. In addition, they provide a cleaner way to keep the home comfortable. Maintaining the units ensures that it operates in an efficient manner.
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