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A variety of technologies are available for heating your house. In addition to heat pumps, which are discussed separately, many homes use the following approaches: Furnaces and Boilers By far the most common way to heat a home. Wood and Pellet-Fuel Heating Provides a way to heat your home using biomass or waste sources. Electric…

The three most common approaches to reducing indoor air pollution, in order of effectiveness, are: Of the three, the first approach — source control — is the most effective. This involves minimizing the use of products and materials that cause indoor pollution, employing good hygiene practices to minimize biological contaminants (including the control of humidity…

What you Need to Know about ACs & Furnaced Affected by Flooding Floods and HVAC Equipment After a flood or a storm surge from a hurricane, homeowners are advised to take important safety precautions about their home’s heating and cooling systems. A house or basement exposed to standing water can damage your home’s water heater,…

What You Should Know About Combustion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution Hazards may be associated with almost all types of appliances. The purpose of this booklet is to answer some common questions you may have about the potential for one specific type of hazard – indoor air pollution – associated with one class of appliances…

Air Conditioners It might surprise you to know that buying a bigger room air-conditioning unit won’t necessarily make you feel more comfortable during the hot summer months. A room air conditioner that’s too big for the area it is supposed to cool will perform less efficiently and less effectively than a smaller, properly sized unit.…

Right-Sized Air Conditioners: Mechanical Equipment Improvements The ENERGY STAR Program promotes right-sized air conditioners where heating and cooling contractors carefully match system capacity to home cooling needs. Homes that include features such as increased insulation, air sealing, high-performance windows, and improved duct systems can dramatically reduce cooling loads. As a result, smaller, less costly air…

How to Maintain Your Home’s Heating & Cooling Equipment to Save Energy Just like your favorite car, your heating and cooling system needs a regular trip to the mechanic to keep it purring. Without regular servicing, heating and cooling systems burn more fuel and are more likely to break down. With the proper attention, they…

Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Safety Tips Have your home heating systems (including chimneys and vents) inspected and serviced annually by a trained service technician.Never use portable generators inside homes or garages, even if doors and windows are open. Use generators outside only, far away from the home.Never bring a charcoal grill into…

Outdoor air pollution in cities is a major health problem. Much effort and money continue to be spent cleaning up pollution in the outdoor air. But air pollution can be a problem where you least expect it, in the place you may have thought was safest — your home. Many ordinary activities such as cooking,…

Properly controlling moisture in your home will improve the effectiveness of your air sealing and insulation efforts, and vice versa. Thus, moisture control contributes to a home’s overall energy efficiency. The best strategy for controlling moisture in your home depends on your climate and how your home is constructed. Before deciding on a moisture control…