No matter how efficiently your furnace and air conditioner operate, a home's heating and cooling system can only reach top efficiency when air ducts are in good condition. Staying on top of duct maintenance helps you stay comfortable and control your energy bills throughout Massachusetts' snowy winters and humid summers.

Replacing your home air filter regularly improves HVAC system performance and efficiency, as well as safeguarding indoor air quality. Monthly home air filter changes are well within the skill set of any homeowner and pay you back with lower operating costs and enhanced indoor comfort.

Programmable thermostats offer a convenient way to maximize comfort and energy savings through pre-programmed temperature changes. But they must be installed and used correctly to enjoy the benefits. Use these tips to learn how to make the best of your new or current programmable thermostat.

Are foul smells emanating from the basement? Sump pump odors are telling you something’s wrong. A sump pump is an essential safeguard against flooding from interior or external sources. Situated in a covered basin in the floor, the pump may be activated by groundwater rising up from below the foundation, by an inundation due to a ruptured pipe in the house above or  floodwater entering from outdoors.

Severe winter storms are a part of life here in Massachusetts. Cold weather can drop in out of the Arctic, bringing below-zero temperatures and massive snow storms. Protecting your home against winter weather will help you keep your family comfortable until spring arrives.

If your home heating system is on its last leg, now's the time to consider a replacement. How do you choose from a furnace, heat pump or a hybrid system? Here are some basic facts about each one to help you figure out which is best for your home.

Indoor air pollution is a concern in many Massachusetts homes, especially in the middle of winter, when ventilation is minimal and families spend more time indoors. Though the presence of pollutants may seem unavoidable, there are a number of simple ways to minimize indoor air pollution.

Boilers are a common way to heat homes in Massachusetts, but an old, inefficient boiler can be a real fuel hog. Upgrading a boiler at the right time can save you a ton of money with lower energy costs in the future.

While it may not be immediately obvious, the condition of your ductwork can greatly affect indoor air quality. Your home's ducts can be contaminated by dust, mold and other particulates. When this happens, it's possible to have them cleaned, but preventing dirty ductwork in the first place is an even better idea.

Although the attic is an easy space to overlook when it comes to the structural components of your home, energy bills and indoor comfort, attic problems can undermine each. It's worth spending a little time exploring ceilings and the attic to learn the integrity of this space and remedy any issues that exist.