It’s a good idea to hire an HVAC company to inspect and do maintenance on your system every fall and spring. They’ll do things like inspect and clean the wiring and mechanisms of the unit, which is bit more challenging for the average homeowner.But you can prolong the life and increase the efficiency of your system if you follow this simple maintenance plan: Some things you should do immediately; other tasks only need to be done seasonally or once a year.Steps to a Healthy HVAC SystemBuy a better filter if you haven’t already. The new high-efficiency pleated filters have an electrostatic charge that works like a magnet to grab the tiniest particles — even those that carry bacteria.Replace the filter at least every 90 days. But check it monthly. If it looks dark and clogged, go ahead and change it. If you have pets, you’ll probably need to change every month.Make sure there’s at least two feet of clearance around outdoor air conditioning units and heat pumps.Remove debris, such as leaves, pollen, and twigs weekly during spring, summer, and fall from top and sides of outdoor air-conditioning units and heat pumps.

Don’t allow the lawn mower to discharge grass clippings onto the unit.Monthly, inspect insulation on refrigerant lines leading into house. Replace if missing or damaged.Make sure unit is level. Annually, ensure that outdoor air-conditioning units and heat pumps are on firm and level ground or pads.Annually, pour a cup of bleach mixed with water down the air-conditioner condensate drain to prevent buildup of mold and algae, which can cause a clog.Shut off the water supply to the furnace humidifier in summer. In fall (or when you anticipate turning on the heat), replace the humidifier wick filter, set the humidistat to between 35% and 40% relative humidity, and turn on the water supply.Never close more than 20% of a home’s registers to avoid placing unnecessary strain on the HVAC system.Replace the battery in your home’s carbon monoxide detector annually.Related:How to Inspect Your HVACHow to Use a Programmable Thermostat for Real SavingsThe 5 Most Effective Ways to Take Back Your Energy Bills

BeCool HVAC system generates clean energy while keeping buildings cool under clean tech, Green Technology, News Most air conditioning units are energy hogs that can send an electric bill sky high, often leading people to limit their use. A new device called BeCool cools (or heats) the air while charging up a fuel cell at the same time, could transform the whole approach to indoor climate control by generating electricity rather than just sucking it up. The invention comes from Be Power Tech, a startup based in Florida, where air conditioning is not just a luxury, but also a lifesaver. Instead of plugging into the grid for its power source, Be Power Tech’s BeCool commercial HVAC unit runs on natural gas. Where the individual unit is considered, the result is a more energy efficient air conditioning system. If more people relied on natural gas-based air conditioners, some of the strain on the power grid would be alleviated during peak times of usage, such as during a heat wave or simply at that point in mid-afternoon when the day’s heat reaches its apex.

Related: Infographic shows surprising trends in summer energy usage across the United Statesair conditioning units for residential homes The BeCool system is a roof-mounted unit that directly replaces standard 10-ton air conditioning systems, and the company will begin field trials on commercial units in 2017, expecting to hit the market the following year. window ac outside airThe system relies on evaporative cooling technology developed at National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and licensed by the Florida company exclusively. hide a window air conditionerThe system promises to reduce energy costs by 67 percent or more, with a 70 percent reduction in peak time usage. BeCool, which is also capable of functioning as a heating unit, is also an environmentally friendly system.