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(StatePoint) — Savvy homeowners know that with cool weather, comes a bit of preparation. A quick audit of your heating equipment can mean less wasted energy, a more comfortable home and lower energy bills. Nearly half of all heating and cooling equipment in U.S. homes never performs to its advertised capacity and efficiency due to incorrect installation, according to U.S. government estimates. And if you have an older system that was built before current efficiency standards, you could be spend- ing more than needed on heating your home. If it's time to replace your system, be sure to have it properly installed by a heat- ing, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration professional, certified by North American Technician Excellence, the nation's largest nonprofit certification body for HVACR technicians. NATE-certi- fied technicians are skilled professionals who have proven their knowledge in the HVACR industry by passing specialized certification tests. "The NATE-certified techs who perform maintenance and repairs do a consistently great job. We never have any concerns if the job is done right," said Rob Kirk- patrick, a long-standing customer of Ther- mal Services, a Nebraska-based contractor. Beyond having an efficient heating sys- tem properly installed, you can prepare for the season in the following ways: ■ Clean heating filters. Check them every couple of weeks and change them at least twice in the season, or as directed by the manufacturer. ■ Check and maintain insulation. Improperly insulated walls, floors, attics, basements and crawlspaces drain away heat and can also lead to moisture imbal- ance. Adding weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors can also improve a home's insulation. ■ Turn down the thermostat or install a programmable thermostat to regulate tem- perature. ■ Clean the furnace area. Don't keep chemicals or cleaning products near a heater, and don't store anything next to it that could impede ventilation. ■ Free all vents and returns of obstruc- tions. Don't lay carpet over vents, place fur- niture over or in front of them, or obstruct the flow of air. ■ Dry air feels cooler than moist air, so install a humidifier. A simple humidifier may make the home feel five degrees warmer than a home with dry air. ■ Look into geothermal heating systems, which use earth's natural heat and are among the most efficient and energy-con- serving heating and cooling technologies currently available. ■ For optimal performance of your HVAC system, get an annual service con- tract which includes both heating and cool- ing maintenance. But take care to avoid poor service and scams. To find a qualified local contractor who employs certified HVACR professionals, look for the NATE logo or go to www.natex.org. By incorporating a few energy-friendly habits into your routine and by making sure your heating system is operating opti- mally, this season, you can keep utility bills low while maintaining a cozy, comfortable home. NOVEMBER 2018 HOME 5 18 Full-size Doors On Display, Our Installers Are Licensed & Bonded 16'x7', 25 Gauge...Non Insulated Steel $ 895 Lifetime Door Co. TRUCKLOAD SALE on Garage Doors & Door Openers Installed Tax Included $ 1095 • Other Sizes Available • 2000 Garage Doors in Stock Special! - Take down and haul away old door for FREE! 16x7 SAVE $ 240 NOW ORDER A LIFTMASTER 1/2 HP GARAGE DOOR OPENER & GET 2 REMOTES & KEYPAD. $ 375 Installed Tax Included • Two-Sided Pre-Finished Galvanized Steel • R-10 Insulated • 5 colors to choose from 12645 W. Townsend (2 blocks N. of Burleigh, enter off 124th St. only) Free Estimate 262-783-4004 Monday - Friday 7am-5pm www.lifetimedoor.net 2 5 8 9 4 6 0 0 1 Full Year Warranty, parts and service on installed operators. Model 8365 Is your heater ready for the cold of winter? What you should do to get it performing well It might even be time for a properly installed replacement StatePoint Hopefully, a new furnace isn't needed for the heating season, but if it's time to get one, a certified professional will help ensure you protect the investment in your home.