You’ll be indoors a lot this winter. Below are some points to consider.

Did you know...

1. Dry skin, chapped lips, itchy eyes, sore throats, sinus headaches, static electricity, cracked woodwork and even out of tune pianos are all symptoms of insufficient humidity in your home during wintertime.
2. During the winter months here in Cincinnati, most people find indoor humidity comfort level between 35% and 50%. Humidity levels that are regularly much higher than 60% may encourage the growth of dust mites, which negatively effect allergy sufferers.
3. By properly using a whole home central humidifier, you can set your thermostat a degree or two lower and enjoy the same warmth comfort (since moister air feels warmer than dry air). This alone will pay for the humidifier in a few short years.
4. The heat in your home in the winter draws moisture like a sponge. By introducing supplemental moisture in your home during the winter (with a whole home humidifier) humidity is raised and comfort increases despite a lower winter thermostat setting. Proper humidity saves energy because people feel comfortable with lower temperature settings.
5. Cincinnati ranks 8th in the nation for highest levels of year round airborne pollution (Source...American Lung Association, State of the Air Report, 2007). That translates into many allergy sufferers who can find relief with improved indoor air quality.
6. Human exposure to indoor air pollutants rise in the wintertime (about 90% of your and your family's time is spent indoors). The level of pollutants may be two to five times higher indoors versus outdoors. It is estimated that we breathe between 2300 and 2700 gallons of air each day.
7. Whole home air purifiers are much more efficient than popular portable room units. Air purifiers clean over 100 times more air and do not require cleaning. Simply replace the cartridge, typically once a year.
8. Air purifiers offer extremely high air filtration and germicidal technology that is so effective they actually capture and kill airborne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, mold spores, fungi, pollen, smoke and of course, dust. They eliminate up to 99.9% of microscopic airborne contaminants.
9. Germicidal ultraviolet lights are another essential component in eliminating unhealthy mold, bacteria, viruses, fungi, pollen and other micro-organisms from building up on your furnace's or heat pump's inside coil assembly and drain pan.
10. Inexpensive air filters (typically the 1" thickness types) collect only about 10% of the filterable particles. Cleaner air is available with air purifiers, or other media (thicker) type filters.
11. Programmable (set-back) style thermostats can easily save 10% to 15% off your winter heating bills.
12. Offset your thermostat a couple of degrees to reduce the number of hours your system operates. A five degree reduction in temperature setting for an eight hour period can save you up to 12% on your energy bill. Programmable thermostats do it automatically while you are sleeping or away from home.
13. Have your system tested for hazardous carbon monoxide and install a carbon monoxide detector. Much like a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detectors are essential for you and your family's safety. Make sure your carbon monoxide detector has a built in rechargeable lithium battery to ensure continued detection and warning even during a power failure.
14. Replace your old heating system. Depending on the age of your system you could cut your energy bills by as much as 50% (the best home improvement that actually pays you back!) and save up to $2000 with rebates and tax credit programs.
15. Heating and air conditioning accounts for the majority of home energy use. The average family will spend over $1300 on utility bills this year. About half of that will go toward heating and cooling your home. Dramatic improvements in technology, as well as improved installation practices, can result in substantial reductions in home utility bills through upgrading of older heating and air conditioning equipment.
16. The energy savings alone through equipment upgrades will often offset most or all of your investment in a short time. Depending on the age and condition of your existing equipment, you could easily end up with more money in your pocket. By upgrading equipment you improve your home's comfort and the savings will continue long after the equipment is paid off. Save up to $2000 now with rebates and tax credit programs.
17. Since the financial returns on reduced energy usage are based on physics, not the financial markets, it's the safest investment you can make. It can generate an attractive return as a hedge against higher energy prices in the future. Practically a guaranteed investment!
18. Get your furnace or heat pump tuned up at least once a year. Empirical research shows that a certified, professional tune-up will save more than it costs in a few months of operation while reducing breakdowns, restoring lost capacity and extending equipment life.
19. Your home air comfort system operates as many hours in the course of a year as your car does in three or four years. Just like your car performance would degrade and cost more to operate after three or four years without maintenance, your home's air comfort system degrades after a year. You need annual maintenance.
20. Finally....Be sure to check your furnace or heat pump's air filter at least once a month and more often if you have lots of dust, or if you have pets that shed. A dirty or clogged filter will make your furnace or heat pump work harder to circulate your air causing higher operating costs, poor air quality and reduced equipment life.

Fireplaces

1. If you use a fireplace make sure it's safe. Only burn seasoned hardwood like oak, ash or maple. Don't burn cardboard, paper or trash. Besides making a mess it could increase the chance of an out of control fire and release dangerous poisons into your air.
2. Use a sturdy screen or glass fireplace cover to make sure burning embers don't float out to your living area.
3. Remember to close the chimney damper when you're not using your fireplace. An open damper is just like having an open window all winter long.
4. When you use a fireplace much of the heat goes right up the chimney with the smoke. To minimize this, close the doors to the room with the fireplace and lower your thermostat setting.
5. If your fireplace has dampers in the bottom of the firebox, make sure they are open when you have a fire....that will ensure you are using an outside air source for the fire. If you don't have a bottom damper, open the nearest window about an inch while the fire is burning.

Space Heaters

1. This is an easy, although expensive way to add auxiliary heat to a room. If you have to use an extension cord make sure it is rated for the same capacity as the heater. Space heaters draw a lot of power. If the extension cord is undersized, the cord itself could overheat and cause a fire. Also, never run an extension cord under a rug or carpet.
2. Place your space heater at least three feet away from any combustible materials. Always make sure there is an adult in the room whenever it's operating and keep a close eye on children and pets.
3. Always turn off space heaters before leaving the room or before going to bed and never try to dry wet clothing or other materials on or near a portable heater.

Ten Questions You Need To Ask Before Replacing Your Heating System

1. Does the Company hold a contractor’s license? State licensing is the minimum requirement to operate a contracting company. Licensing protects the public, including you. Unlicensed companies are unaccountable to regulators and often unavailable if things go wrong.
2. Does the Company employ NATE Certified Technicians? NATE is the North American Technician Excellence program. It is the HVAC contracting industry's certification body for technical knowledge.
3. Is the Company insured? General liability insurance and State of Ohio Worker's Compensation insurance protects you. Some companies are not insured.
4. How long has the Company been in business (under the same name)? One heating and cooling contracting company in five closes every year. The best way to predict whether a company will be around long enough to honor its warranties is whether the company has been around in the past. Most reputable companies state their business tenure. Beware of companies that close due to poor reputation and re-open with a new name.
5. Does the Company have a physical address? Fly-by-night heating and cooling companies and uninsured moonlighters rarely have a business address or only use a post office box address. More stable contracting companies operate from a physical office and shop.
6. What is the standard guarantee? Not only does a better guarantee give you longer peace of mind, but better guarantees are offered by better companies.
7. Does the Company offer financing? You may not need financing, but you still look for companies that offer it because it shows concern for affordability and shows the company can meet the minimum qualifications to offer financing.
8. Does the Company perform "Manual J" design calculations? Good companies perform engineering calculations based on the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's (ACCA) "Manual J", to insure the equipment they provide is the right size (over-sizing a furnace is just as bad as under-sizing one). Improperly sized heating and air conditioning systems are all too common. Poor quality companies habitually replace with the same size as the existing equipment or use a rule of thumb (they guess!).
9. Does the Company provide "ARI Performance Certification"? When you replace any air conditioner or heat pump, it is important to replace both the outdoor unit and the indoor components together, as a matched set. Other wise you'll get reduced efficiency, increased breakdowns and shortened equipment life. Good contractors provide system certification from the Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI).
10. Does the Company give you choices? A wide variety of options exist for heating and cooling your home. Good companies present you with choices in efficiency, refrigerant, filtration, controls and financing.