Heating and Air Conditioning

Living in West Texas sometimes isn't that fun - there's almost always wind blowing. And since the majority of land out here is barren and used for cotton fields, that means there's always some dirt blowing around. Sometimes it's not just some dirt - it's enough to cover the skies and make everything miserable. You end up with dirt in places you didn't know you had!

Then other times it's so hot you can't breathe without keeping your air conditioner at a steady 65 degrees. Of course, during the winter it's exactly the opposite. It can get so cold that you can't keep comfortable without the thermostat staying at 73 degrees. I couldn't imagine living in Arizona during June with my air conditioner out on the fritz!

With all the changes in temperature and weather conditions, it's no wonder heating and air conditioning specialists are always needed - no matter where you live. A heating and air conditioning unit can last anywhere from 15-20 years with the proper maintenance and is considered a wise investment by many.

Some tips to keep your homes comfy and units working to their potential:

*Change the filters every 30-60 days. Depending on the weather conditions where you live and the allergies of some family members, you will probably change this filter more frequently. The cleaner the air, the better those with allergies will breathe. We can usually tell when to change our filter as my brother has severe allergies that act up if we go longer than a month without changing our air filter.

*Rinse off the outside unit. You don't want dirt and debris building up in the outside unit, so it's best to clean this every few months.

*Use ceiling fans when you can. Ceiling fans will spread the cold or warm air more efficiently, keeping your unit from working too hard.

*Use blinds and curtains where you can. We found out that our home will warm more quickly in the evening since the setting sun shines directly into our front windows - great for the winter, but horrible for the summer. So we bought energy efficient curtains - designed to keep the warm air in and cold air out in the winter and vice versa in the summer.

Remember, these tips will not only help the longevity of your unit, but they can also help keep those monthly bills down.