Go green this holiday season.

It’s hard to believe, but according to Robert Lilienfeld, co-author of the book, “Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are,” between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, Americans throw away a million extra tons of garbage each week. During the season of giving, it sure seems like we’re taking a lot from Mother Nature. Here are some suggestions of ways to go green this holiday season, and you just might save some green in the meantime.

Start with your gift giving. You may not have ever thought about it before, but some gifts are certainly more eco-friendly than others. Giving an experience, like tickets to a ballgame or an art exhibit, create much less waste than complicated toys and gadgets. And some of the best gifts can be homemade like cookies and cakes, or having guests over for a full home-cooked meal.

As you do begin wrapping up those presents for family and friends, consider recycling gift wrap. You can easily reuse gift bags, tissue paper, bows and even wrapping paper. For gift wrapping alternatives, think about using reusable items like scarves, handkerchiefs or bandannas. And if you just look around the house you’ll probably find old posters, maps, sheet music, wallpaper scraps, magazine and newspaper cutouts, and comic pages which all work very well as wrapping paper.

If you need to ship your presents this year, avoid Styrofoam packing peanuts and try the biodegradable kind instead. You can also use crumpled up newspaper, or even dry, popped popcorn (insert a note inside the box letting the receiver know that they can later treat birds to it).

For many folks, the holidays just wouldn’t be the same without a live, fragrant Christmas tree. As you search for that perfect tree, keep in mind that if you purchase a tree from a tree farm you’re not damaging forests. Another option is purchasing a potted plant that can be enjoyed year round such as a Norfolk pine, fig or fichus. Artificial trees are also a good choice since they are reused every year and that saves on the gas you would spend driving to the tree farms.

To ignite your family with holiday cheer, be sure to purchase Christmas lights made with light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. These lights have been around since 2001 and are ninety percent more efficient than traditional Christmas lights. They also release little heat and last about 200,000 hours. According to one U.S. Department of Energy study, if all families replaced their conventional holiday light strings with LEDs, at least two billion kilowatt-hours of electricity could be saved in a month. The savings alone would be enough to power 200,000 homes for a year.

Once you’ve chosen your tree, get creative with the decorations. Give it your family’s personal touch by decorating it with memorabilia such as a child’s first shoe or grandma’s hankie scented with perfume. There’s no need to go out and purchase pricey ornaments when cookie cutters, pinecones, stuffed animals and toys, and miniature toy cars work just as well.

And to start the New Year off on the right foot try treecycling. By recycling your fresh tree you can make a huge difference in reducing holiday waste. Instead of ending up in a landfill, Christmas trees can be ground into wood chips and be reused as mulch gardens, or to prevent erosion. If you visit Earth911.com, you can search your zip code to find the nearest Christmas tree recycling center near you.

Written by Tara Darby as found in Craig Lilly’s Newsletter.

Home inspections made easy.

What does your home inspection cover? And who is liable if a problem develops down the road? We’ll answer these questions in today’s column.

You need an inspection on any property you are buying, regardless if it’s old or new construction. An inspection is like a check-up for your house. What repairs will need to be addressed now and what might need to be addressed later down the road? This is what you have answered during an inspection. Having an inspection done prior to signing a contract allows you to negotiate your findings into the deal. Does the roof need replaced? The seller may give an allowance to pay for the repairs. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know!

Perhaps you’ve fallen in love with a fixer-upper and are dreaming of doing the repairs yourself. If the inspection discovers hidden damage and costs, you’ll be given the option to keep looking for a more suitable house. Keep in mind, however, that simply because a house needs repairs doesn’t mean you shouldn’t purchase it. Nearly every house will have a list of repairs that need to be done to get it “shipshape.” It is your decision to choose how much you are willing to spend and how much work you are willing to do.

A home inspection varies depending on what type of property you are interested in.

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), “The standard home inspector’s report will cover the condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and structural components.”

There are limits, however, to what a home inspection will cover. They aren’t required to identify conditions that are concealed or are considered latent defects. That means if personal property, plants, snow, or debris are covering an issue, the home inspector isn’t require to move those items to inspect and isn’t liable if he misses something. They aren’t require to make determinations on systems that aren’t readily accessible.

They also aren’t required to note the presence of potentially hazardous plants and animals. That includes “wood destroying organisms” or even molds.

This means you should find a home inspector that you trust. The ASHI recommends you choose from their list of licensed professionals. “ASHI members know houses, ensuring that you can find a home inspector. They are trained to objectively communicate to you, the home inspection buyer, what the house has to say. ASHI members have demonstrated technical proficiency and report-writing skills, and they have committed to continuing education in order to achieve and maintain their member status.”

Having a trusted inspector means that most every problem that can be identified will be. An inspection is about peace of mind, and a good inspector gives you that.

Written by Carla Hill as found in Craig Lilly’s Newsletter.

Flora and fauna for all seasons is challenging but beautiful.

Flowering gardens are a beauty to behold and bring enormous satisfaction to those who plant them. Doing ones’ own landscaping has many rewards. Gardens that grow and bloom during all seasons can be a challenge, but in many gardening zones,  a little planning and the right mix of flora makes this possible.

Blooms Burst In Winter
Crocus often thrust tiny, delicate blooms through the snow in winter, making them a must have for your garden. They rarely get taller than four inches, so place them around the edges of your beds, or scatter throughout for ground-hugging beauty. Some hybrid varieties bloom as early as November. Plant Pansies in coordinating colors. Evergreen shrubs may compliment your winter landscape, especially when sparkling with ice. Ornamentation in the garden is more visible at this time of year; add benches, statues and seasonal decorations.

Spring Blossoms
Narcissus, Daffodils and Jonquils present an early spring show and are great for naturalizing. Hybrids offer an abundance of shapes and colors and require little care. These multiply yearly. If you have enough space,consider forms of Pussy Willow and Witch Hazel, also early bloomers. Pansies and Violas work well with these combinations.

Spring flowering bulbs are a must for a beautiful landscape. Asiatic Lilies come in a variety of colors and bloom early in spring. Tulips make an early showing as well. Corms and tubers,such as Dahlias, Daylilies, and Iris blooms follow and add to your display. Azaleas offer a bushy option, as does the March Bell bush.

Planting seeds instead of buying the actual plant can be a money-saving option. Start seeds indoors and replant outside for earlier bloom, or plant outside after danger of frost has passed in your area. Variety allows you to display your personality through your blossoms. Using seeds provides an unlimited selection.

Look though catalogs and plan your color scheme. Daisies, Marigolds and Calendulas are hardy choices for the beginning and accomplished gardener. Cosmos, with its’ frilly foliage, makes a great blossom for the back of your area. These hardy annuals can reach six feet and may bloom until frost.

Summer Showings
Ready-to-flower plants can be intermingled with seeds. Gaillardias and Gerber Daisies are popular and require little more than feeding, watering, and deadheading. Evening Primroses add fragrance as well as beauty.
Summer flowering bulbs, such as Gladiolus and Snow Drops should be planted in early spring for summer bloom. Cannas and Calla lilies have dramatic foliage and beautiful flowers. The many shapes and shades of Coleus allows your landscape to make a striking statement. Plant flowers and bulbs in waves instead of rows for a more dramatic effect.

Crisp Autumn Beauty
Autumn flowering plants are more of a challenge, particularly in the higher zones. Colchicums and Cyclamens will bloom in late August through November. If your area experiences early freezes, cover the plants for protection. Make sure to uncover before the sun can burn them.

The hardy Mum is a fall garden classic. Colors and varieties allow dramatic combinations. Asters, Pansies and the edible Viola add texture and contrast.

Experiment with different plants and flowers until you find your perfect combinations. These methods allow you to find what works best in your garden. Be sure to check sun requirements for different varieties and always start with a rich, well-drained soil for best results. Enjoy the satisfaction of nature’s beauty under your design.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

Swimming pools need care even in the winter.

An above ground swimming pool can bring us years of enjoyment as long as we take care of it in a responsible manner. The frigid, freezing temperatures of winter are the most ruthless adversaries to the pool and it’s equipment, so winterizing your above ground pool is essential if you have plans to use it again next summer.

The first, and perhaps most important step before you put your pool to bed, is to make sure the chemical balance of your water is correct. If it isn’t, corrosion or scale buildup might occur while the pool is shut down.

There are four basic water content levels that need to be checked:

• The pH should be between 7.2 – 7.6.

• Alkalinity should be 80 – 120 parts per million.

• The chlorine content should be 1 – 3 parts per million.

• The calcium hardness should be 175 – 250 parts per million.

All of these tests can be performed by purchasing a good test kits from your local pool supply store. Just follow the instructions and adjust the content accordingly.

The sides and floor of the pool need to be brushed down and vacuumed. If any kind of dirt or other foreign matter is left in the pool, stains might penetrate their way into the pool lining.  While you’re at it, don’t forget to add winterizing chemicals in the deep end. This will protect the water quality.

Your skimmer, filter and pump basket should be cleaned along with the cartridge filter elements and Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) filter grids. Any sand filter you may have needs to be back-washed. Take your chlorinator and remove any remaining tablets from it. If these tablets are left in it, they could end up staining or bleaching your pool liner over the winter months, especially if the floater winds up resting against the side of the pool wall.

Check your filter tank, pump and other critical equipment for drain plugs. If you find them, go ahead and remove them to drain them of water. One additional thing you need to do after this is turn the pump on for just a few seconds so the impeller will blow any remaining water out of it. This will help protect your pump from being damaged when the water freezes. Place your drain plugs with your other stored equipment.

Depending on your personal preference, either drain the pool until the water level is below the water jets and skimmer, or insert a pool skimmer guard into the skimmer itself to protect it from damage when the water freezes. Freezing water will expand and damage or burst any piping that’s associated with your pool.

Place an air pillow in the center of the pool and tie it to the pool walls with a strong string. If the water freezes, it will expand toward the pillow rather than toward the pool walls. Were the water to expand toward the pool walls, the resulting pressure could end up bursting the side walls, and you’d end up with a real mess, not to mention a hefty repair tag to go along with it.

Cover the pool with a winter cover and secure it tightly so it won’t come off.

By following these procedures your pool should survive even the most brutal winter mother nature can throw at it. Be sure to double check the documentation of all your pool devices to be sure you’ve stored everything properly per their instructions.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

Staycation is your backyard oasis.

Some time in the middle of recession from the recent financial crisis, the concept of staycation came about. Staycation is a shortened version of stay-at-home vacation. The term can now be found in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. When going somewhere for a vacation is already expensive, the wise move is to make your home a vacation haven.

The idea of going on a vacation is to relax and unwind. When you think about it, the backyard is a nice place to do such an activity. A relaxing vacation can be achieved in your backyard with few creative touches.

The Lounge Area

Find a reclining chair in your living room. Move it to a shady area in your backyard so you have a place to relax, sip drinks, and read books. Have a picnic in your backyard if you have a nice lawn area. All you need are pillows and a blanket. The soft grass can act as a cushion. If your kids have outgrown their single beds, those will be ideal lounging furniture. Choose brightly-covered pillows and you’ll easily transport yourself to some vacation paradise.

The Dining Area

Your staycation will even feel like an island vacation if you eat outside. An inviting table setting can easily make any simple meal sumptuous. Use practical and casual dinnerware. You do not want to use your fine china in this one. Light snacks during the day under the cool breeze are filling and relaxing. Light up some candles when it gets dark and you’ll have a romantic candlelit dinner. Open a bottle of wine and play good music and you will never feel you are just vacationing at home.

The Backyard Barbecue

Invite friends over when you’re done fixing up the place. Grilled veggies and meat during the hot summer afternoon paired with cool, refreshing drinks are a wonderful way to gather with friends. Do not sweat the details. Use plates, dishes and utensils you can easily slip into the dishwasher. Just prepare paper towels and spray bottles filled with water and detergent for easy cleanup.

Camping Out

Skies are clear during summer time. It is ideal for stargazing. Kids will learn constellations and astronomy. Camping out in your own backyard eliminates the troubles in having to prepare for a trip away from home. You can still enjoy the outdoors without the rigors associated with setting up camp in unfamiliar territories. You still need to protect everyone from bugs so those anti-repellent lotions still come in handy. Set up a fire and roast hotdogs and marshmallows. Tell stories and play games with your kids.

Staycation is not a bad idea. If your know how to create a relaxing and fun place in your own backyard, you do not need to travel for a vacation.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

Outdoor Oasis for relaxation and peace of mind.

There are so many ways that you can create a garden, so. ultimately it comes down to personal preference. There are a few basic garden styles that you can follow. Make sure when you choose a style that you consider the architecture of your home. A formal garden will not necessarily be the best choice for a cottage style home. Also, consider the color of the items in your yard, the fence, any outbuildings. The color of your home and it’s trim are also important factors. There are five general garden styles.

Formal
The formal garden has a long history. French or Italianate gardens feature strong symmetry. Asian or Islamic gardens have strong geometric patterns. A formal design will have strong defined lines and edges. Paving and paths are central and will lead the eye to some kind of specimen plant or other garden element, such as a statue.

Hedges and shrubs are prevalent. They should be trimmed into symmetrical shapes such as pyramids, balls and boxes. Formal gardens are frequently monochromatic in color. Often they will be one single color, like white.

Informal/Casual
The goal of the informal garden is to soften the boundaries between the home and the garden. An informal garden will have winding paths, and mounded groups of plants. The casual garden will include more potted plants and beds with mixed flowers. Large shrubs should be used as a backdrop for plants. The casual garden should have a relaxed and inviting feeling.

Contemporary
Contemporary gardens use shapes that include circles, ovals and triangles. Geometric beds can be used, but the plantings should appear to have a bit of organized chaos. Often architectural features of a home, (I.E. oval windows), will be copied into the garden. House trim color is also copied with the flower color.

Also present are living walls covered with climbing vines, container groupings that mirror bed shapes, and newly introduced plants. The contemporary garden is also a great place for espalier’s and topiary’s. The topiary’s should be trimmed into free-form triangles and ball shapes. Of most importance is that this style remain fluid. A contemporary garden is a “blend of traditional style with modern design principles.” (Flower Gardening; Julie Bawden-Davis; 2004)

Natural
The ultimate goal for a natural garden is to replicate nature. Major features include groupings of odd numbered plants, plantings in layers and levels, and native flowering plants. A natural garden should also include plants that attract wildlife, like birds and bee’s. Keep in mind when creating a natural garden that room should be left for a compost pile or bin. A natural garden should also be free of harmful pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Combination
The combination style of gardening is perhaps the most difficult to do successfully. This type of garden requires experience. A successful combination garden will have many aspects of different styles woven together. The best way to approach this design is either to plan it right from the start, or experiment as you go. Begin by choosing one of the classic styles that works for you. Transition this style slowly into a combination garden.

The above garden styles will add flair to your garden. By choosing a style that you enjoy you will add cohesion to your garden, inviting people in to experience it’s pleasures.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

Redesign that old and drab to new and fab.

Every homeowner eventually wants to make a change, but if you’re like many people you haven’t a clue where to begin. Just like fashion styles, interior designs change with the times as well. So, if you’ve been in your home for a long time and are ready to sell or are just ready for a makeover, read on to see if the hottest trends are suitable for your home.

Go ahead and slap a fresh coat of paint on the walls. But don’t make it sterile white or boring beige. At the very least use these colors along with some vibrant accent colors on a single wall or two.

“We’ve gone through an era of everything being very muted and quiet and what we see with the younger generation coming up is that we’re really going to use lots of colors. Colors on the walls, color on the furniture such as lime greens, browns, oranges and bright reds,” says Dixie Lovejoy, owner of Arizona-based Apple Interior Systems, Inc.

A little paint can make a major change to a home. It’s always a good idea to put on a fresh coat or at least touch up the paint before you place your home on the market. It gives a buyer a feeling of cleanliness and that the home has been well cared for over the years.

“Paint is a very inexpensive way to do something new and not have your house seem dated as time goes on,” adds Lovejoy.

Think big, but buy less. “People used to buy accessories on a very small scale. In our office, one of our slogans is: bigger is better,” says Lovejoy.

She says that means things like pots, statues, fountains, and flower arrangements should all be bigger. So instead of having a lot of knickknack items, you buy less but when you do, you buy big. The idea is to make a statement with your decorating rather than make your home look cluttered.

Accent pillows are a must! The key home décor ingredient that no home should be without gives new meaning to pillow talk. Lovejoy says accent pillows will get your houseguest chatting about your harmonizing décor. “Accent pillows are kind of a key to all design that ties everything together,” she says.

Bye-bye sliders. In my opinion, sliding glass doors have always been a bit of an eyesore, but so many tract homes have them. Now, Lovejoy says, sliding glass and even French doors are losing ground. The new alternative creates wide open space even in a residential tract home. Instead, doors that virtually vanish or disappear are appearing in more homes and allowing better access to the great outdoors.

“They actually can slide all the way into a pocket that’s built into a wall or stack on top of each other so it becomes one small window on the left or right side but the rest of your house is all open. There are also folding doors that do that,” says Lovejoy.

She says the typical narrow three-foot opening on sliding or French doors just isn’t suitable for what homeowners want today. “The newest trend is opening up a 12 to 22 or 30 feet of glass. It gives you almost the lanai effect like you have in Hawaii where the inside and the outside all become one,” explains Lovejoy.

Of course, this is ideal for homeowners who have big parties or events at their home. “You can just open up your house and the traffic flows inside to outside,” says Lovejoy.

Then the outside is decorated much like the inside with fireplaces, couches, chairs, coffee tables, and Lovejoy says even drapes and pictures hanging on the walls on the outside of the house. All of this makes the determining line between the outside and inside of your house disappear.

Furnish your outdoors like your indoors.

“We traditionally don’t even use regular patio furniture. We upholster couches and chairs and everything in outside fabric because it’s gotten so incredibly intricate. It’s not the old red, white, and blue fabric that we used to think of for outdoor furniture,” says Lovejoy.

Today, designers are using big patterns made from velvets and even sheer materials on outside furniture which begs the question, “how does this fabric hold up on a couch or chair?”

“We’re the toughest market there is with the weather and everything else … and we’re the dustbowl of the world out here but even the moisture that you have in the costal cities wouldn’t affect it,” says Lovejoy. Need to clean your furniture? Don’t hire a professional. Lovejoy says, “You can take a hose to it and wash off the couch or chairs or you can vacuum them just like you do inside so there’s really no difference.”

When it comes to flooring, soft is out and hard is in. “I think that we’re going away from soft surfaces on the flooring,” says Lovejoy.

Traditionally, homes have always had carpeting in the bedroom areas and maybe tile or hardwood flooring in other parts of the house. That’s changing to create a better flow between the indoor and outdoor living areas. “That way when you open up your house for entertaining, the patio or the lanai on the outside, or your sunroom, has the same surface as the house so you get that huge expanded feeling,” says Lovejoy.

Of course, area rugs are making a huge impact in the marketplace because of homeowners wanting to have some cozy, soft areas on the floor near beds, couches, and fireplaces. Even just a few changes to your home can take it from drab to fabulous with these hot trends.

Written by Phoebe Chongchua as found in Craig Lilly’s Newsletter.

The layout of a Floating Floor.

A floating floor is a floor that is laid over an existing sub-floor and is neatly clipped together, though at no point attached to the floor beneath it.  These are cleverly engineered floors made of a variety of materials bonded together, and offering a home owner a quick solution to brightening up their home.

Floating floors have the ability to stay in place because of gravity, although in the early days, the clips that held these together caused creaking, which has been overcome with modern models and research, giving the home owner the possibility to construct the floor without any expertise, just by following basic guidelines of placing it onto an even floor and leaving an air gap around the skirting area so that the floor can expand and contract without causing the floor to lift in places.

THE RANGE

The range of floating floors available on the market means that consumers have the choice of lush wooden finishings ranging through from tropical woods to the more traditional woods of Maple, Oak and Cherry without the expense of having to have major works done within the home by qualified carpenters. For a more unique look, the ranges available from specialists that stock laminate flooring include such finishes as natural Bamboo, Teak and Walnut.

FIXINGS

The floating floor has built in fixings which come in the form of tongues and grooves, although the tongues are at a different angle from traditional tongues, and click into their slot easily gripping the corresponding plank with a more secure linking than is possible with a fixed wooden flooring.

UNDERLAY

Floating floors can be purchased with an underlay already on them although this is rare. Normally a membrane is laid between the sub-floor and the floating floor, and this serves two purposes, one to be sound insulating and one to add extra insulation to floors and overcome the condensation that can be caused when putting a cold surface against a warm one.

ADVANTAGES

The advantages of floating flooring is that it is almost instant and can be performed with little skill. The color range gives great flexibility of choice and the surface is easily washable with a damp mop or cloth.

DISADVANTAGES

The disadvantages of this type of flooring is that they are less hard-wearing than traditional wooden floors. In areas where the home is susceptible to water ingress such as in bathroom and mud room environments, the floor should be glued within the tongue and groove to prevent water passing through the layers of laminate and swelling the product causing breakdown of the floor solidity.

It should also receive a coating to protect it. If buying cheap quality laminate flooring, the flooring can be damaged easily, and is not repairable like standard wood, because of the surface being photo finish, rather than wood. If buying cheaply, and using without glue, it’s a good idea to buy extra because planks can be re-laid, replacing damaged planks, at the next major decoration.

GRADES

One of the important factors to take into consideration with laminate flooring is quality. Many stores offer seconds or defective flooring at discounted prices, and while this may suit the householder’s needs, the wear factor does come into play and the consumer would need to buy extra packs to allow for defects in the planking.

The high quality grades of floating floors are used successfully in high traffic commercial premises and will withstand heavy use, and are certainly worthy of consideration when choosing the type for your home.

FINISH

Different quality finishes make the world of difference to floating floors, and while many contain very little wood and are made from compressed material with a back-boarding, finished with a photo finish wood effect, what should be taken into account when buying is the guarantee given by manufacturers, since this says a lot more about quality and expected lifetime of the flooring.

Floating floors are becoming more and more popular as an option in the modern home, and new finishes are coming out all the time, now giving stone and ceramic effects as well as the wooden ones mentioned above. As a concept it is successful and ever evolving, and can make your home look clean and inviting, make it easier to keep clean, and be enhanced with the beauty of your furnishings or rugs for a complete and original designer look.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

What winter upgrades do you need for your home?

This is no time to neglect your home, regardless of where you live. At this time of year, many homeowners – especially in colder regions – neglect the condition of their homes in anticipation of warmer weather. Even in warmer regions – where weather can be unpredictable – this is the time of year when home improvements take the back burner. Let’s take a look at some areas of your home that can benefit from your attention right now.

Doors/Windows. Perhaps you did all the right things before the colder weather set in…you checked for drafts, replaced weather stripping…maybe even replaced some of your doors and windows. Now is the time to determine if the improvements you made were effective. If you are still experiencing some drafty conditions, it’s time to call your local contractor in to perform an inspection and schedule the required work to fix the condition as soon as weather permits.

Roofing/Gutters. Again, you may have performed the necessary inspections/improvements to your roofing prior to the onset of winter, but are now finding that it’s not enough. Now is the time to inspect your roofing and gutters, or better still, call a professional to discuss any ice dams or icicles that may cause serious damage to your roof. In warmer climates, this is the time of year to address any gutters that may be sagging as a result of too much rain and debris.

Landscaping. Regardless of where you may live, there is no better time than now to consider your outdoor landscaping. Even if it’s currently covered in snow, by calling a landscape professional now, you’ll avoid being wait-listed when everyone else in your neighborhood decides to act. The process for designing and constructing your perfect paradise can – and should – take months, so even in warmer climates, why not start planning now, before everyone else does?

Remodeling. For many homeowners, holidays reveal that they simply don’t have enough room in their current home or that their existing space could use some remodeling. With proper planning by a remodeling professional, you’ll be ready the next time guests emerge on your home for any reason.

Siding/Fencing/Decks. This time of year also has a way of revealing imperfections or problems with your siding/fencing and/or deck. It may be time to upgrade to a newer vinyl or other available material for maximum durability and beauty.

After the holidays are over is the perfect time to start planning those home improvement projects you’ve been putting off for far too long. Get a jump on your neighbors who will all be envious of how great your home looks when spring and summer roll around. You’ll leave them all scratching their heads saying “why didn’t I think of that?”

Maintaining your thermostat is important for energy efficiency.

One of the most important things you can do to keep your heating and cooling systems working efficiently is to make sure they are regularly maintained. Some maintenance practices are basic and can be performed by the average do-it-yourselfer.

Among the top heating supplies you can use to maintain your heating equipment are fresh furnace filters. Furnace filters are easy to replace, and a clean filter ensures proper air flow through the furnace or air conditioner.

Filters are readily available at various HVAC parts supply stores and heating supply stores. They can even be found at department stores. A low-end, average furnace filter can cost as little as $1.00, while better filters, such as HEPA filters, can cost $10.00 or more. A HEPA filter removes more particles, cigarette smoke, and pet dander from the air than a regular filter.

Another piece of HVAC equipment that is helpful in maintaining your heating system can be found in most homes and businesses: a shop vac. A regular vacuum will work just as well, provided it has a hose that can be used to vacuum debris from the blower wheel, the flue, and the motor. All of the air in the house flows through the blower, and if too much debris builds up in the blower, the motor may seize up and burn out. Regular vacuuming will help the blower to continue to work smoothly.

While the above maintenance practices are easy and essential to the life and efficiency of your heating equipment, there are maintenance tasks that should not be attempted by the average do-it-yourselfer.

In order to tune up a furnace properly, the furnace must be shut off so that there is no electric current running through it, and gas burners must be removed and cleaned. Only a certified HVAC technician should perform this task, and it should be done annually.

Additional annual service tasks that a tech performs are checks of the many HVAC controls (safety controls) that are present in heating equipment. These controls must be working properly to prevent fires, gas leaks, and other potential hazards.

HVAC technicians also test for carbon monoxide emissions. Average store-bought carbon monoxide detectors do not read low levels of carbon monoxide. Many of these detectors will not go off until emissions of carbon monoxide are at dangerous levels. One of the HVAC supplies a professional technician uses is a carbon monoxide sniffer that detects low levels of emissions.

Maintenance and service on any kind of radiant heat system should never be attempted by the average do-it-yourselfer. Radiant system maintenance involves many specific components and should always be performed by a certified HVAC technician who has been properly trained in radiant system service and in the use of radiant heating supplies.

When it comes to maintaining air conditioning equipment, the average do-it-yourselfer is limited in what he can do. A broom may be used to remove grass clippings, cobwebs, and other debris from the back of the air conditioner. All other cooling equipment maintenance and cleaning should be performed annually by a certified professional.

Air conditioning supplies consist of different kinds of acid cleaning solutions and hydrochloric and sulfuric acids that are only available to legally certified technicians or professionals licensed to use them.

Another HVAC supply a technician uses is a certain guage that he plugs into the cooling system to check refrigerant levels. You must be EPA certified to plug gauges into the cooling system.

R22 refrigerant is made of a chemical which is detrimental to the ozone layer. It is illegal to open the air conditioner and attempt cleaning or maintenance unless you are legally certified.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can perform basic tasks to help keep your furnace and air conditioner working properly: replace your furnace filter once a month, vacuum your furnace flue, blower wheel, and motor, and sweep debris from the back of your air conditioner. But for your safety and the safety of your home and family, and to get the highest efficiency from your heating and cooling systems, you should keep an annual appointment with your professional HVAC service tech to have your heating and cooling systems cleaned and tested.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.