For most people, using the heating and air conditioning system is a regular convenience. In fact, 48 percent of all the energy used in a home is due to heating and cooling, and according to the U.S. Department of Energy that energy used ends up being 43 percent of the monthly utility bill. For that reason, making sure that your heating and air system keep working as good as possible is going to ensure that your home remains as efficient as it should be.

You might not think of getting your air serviced unless you specifically require an air conditioner repair, but an air conditioner repair service can offer a lot more than you might think. Heating and cooling companies can come out and do an overview of how your system is working, any repairs that it might need, and they will suggest any other tips they might need to ensure that it continues working properly.

Sometimes you might require an air duct cleaning service to get the air flowing properly, while other times you need a full-on boiler repair. Sometimes calling on the services of a heating and air conditioning company will let you know that you should be installing some insulation in the home. Without insulation in the attic the heat from the heating systems will literally just rise and slip right out. Putting in insulation can increase energy efficient heating.

You might be due for a new heating system if it is already between 15 and 20 years old. Other signs that it could be time for an upgrade include that it makes weird noises, keeps using more and more energy, needs a lot of repairing, doesn’t keep your warm enough, or cycles on and off too frequently. Heating and air systems are built to last for a while but they won’t last forever. Most central air conditioning system last about 20 years, boilers about 15 years, and furnaces about 20 years.

If you do find yourself in the position to get a new one installed you might consider one of the more energy efficient options. Those can cost more upfront but they can save you money on utilities in the long run, as well as do something nice for the environment. High-efficiency furnaces are considered to be anything with an AFUE rating between 90 percent and 95 percent.