Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning are integrated systems that control the climate of your home.

Many of the components in today's systems are simple for the homeowner to maintain, but in the event of questionable performance, it is best to contact a professional.

Contractors are available for preventative maintenance: checking filters; inspecting working parts like belts, motors, and electrical contacts; making sure that the thermostat is working properly; checking gas pressures and replacing or adding refrigerant as required by EPA guidelines.

Manufacturers of residential air-conditioning and heating systems want consumers to know everything they can about achieving maximum comfort and efficiency while saving energy and money, too. If there are questions about a present system or how to improve it, call in an expert—a qualified air-conditioning contractor.