A clean home is cheaper to run

(NC)—With spring around the corner, homeowners are sweeping, dusting and vacuuming everywhere to get a clean start on the season.

Did you know that most household dirt goes undetected and over the years it can build up and make it more expensive to heat and cool your home? By following these three simple tips, offered by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), you can clean up, save money, and breathe easy:

• Filter your air: We filter our swimming pools to make sure they're free of dirt and debris – we need to do the same for our indoor air. There are two types of filters that can help you remove stray particles from your indoor atmosphere: mechanical devices that draw air through a filter and electronic devices that use different types of fields to purify the air. Whatever option you choose, proper installation and maintenance is critical so consult a licensed contractor.

• Get rid of dust: Dust gets everywhere. It can even get into your home's air ducts or your furnace's filter. A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder, and can become a breeding ground for bacteria. If you clean your vents and your ducts, there will be less dust in the air, less work for your HVAC system, and more money in your pocket. You might be able to change the filter yourself and you should do so on a regular basis. Cleaning ducts, on the other hand, takes specialized knowledge, as does maintenance of electronic air cleaners, so engage a reputable contractor.

• Get the latest and greatest: If you've got an older house, the heating and cooling system may be less energy-efficient than current systems, costing you more money than necessary. Regular maintenance will keep these older machines operating to their full potential, but sometimes, the best solution is to trade up to a more energy-efficient, Energy Star rated system.

More information is available online at www.hrai.ca.

For more tips on how to save money this spring, and to find a qualified HVAC contractor in your area, visit www.hrai.caor call 1-877-467-4724.

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