When it comes to maintaining and repairing your heating and air conditioning system, hire a contractor that employs HVAC technicians who are knowledgeable, dependable and qualified. One way to ensure that the job will be done right is to ask for technicians who have earned NATE certification.

We're all unhappy with the price at the gasoline pumps in the Boston area. If a trusted source told you six things you could do to vastly improve your gas mileage, would you do it? You probably would. Whether it's on groceries, gasoline or clothing, we welcome the chance to save money.

There’s no good time for your cooling equipment to fail. There are only bad times and worse times. If disaster strikes, don’t worry. Rodenhiser has a few tips to help you find a cooling system quickly without breaking the bank.

Saving energy is more important than ever to Massachusetts homeowners, but that doesn’t mean you should have to sacrifice comfort. If you’re in the market for a new cooling system this summer, variable-speed air handlers can offer efficiency, comfort and savings.

If you're not a heating and cooling technician, an HVAC service quote might look like a foreign language. It's helpful to learn some terms and concepts that can help you decipher these quotes, but you should also be able to ask your technician to explain any recommended item or service.

If you have a heat pump, these are the parts you need to know about:

HVAC companies are only as good as the technicians they hire, so it's important to know what qualifications they have. Most companies will prominently display their affiliations, so it's easy to determine, but you can always ask your contractor to send a technician with specific certifications.

Preventive maintenance is essential for lengthening the life of your heating and cooling system and keeping it running efficiently. Just like with major repairs and equipment installations, you want to work with somebody you trust to handle your valuable home comfort equipment.

Finding a reputable contractor is not as simple as looking in the phone book. Ask these questions before you make your decision:

New heating and cooling equipment is a valuable investment, so it makes sense that you would want to purchase a system that is properly sized so you can get the most value for your money. Surprisingly, many homes have improperly sized home comfort systems, even when a contractor was involved in the original purchase decision. This is why load calculations are so important when you decide to install new equipment.

You have planned your vacation for months, made reservations, mapped out a route and looked forward to getting away for some much-needed relaxation. Do a little planning for your home, and you can make those relaxing days even more enjoyable.

Learning to read your electric meter is a great way to understand your home’s energy consumption, but it falls short when trying to calculate how efficiently your home is using this energy. That’s because meter readings don’t take weather data into consideration. The weather affects how much energy your home needs for heating and cooling. You can fill the information gap by learning about heating and cooling "degree days."