- Do space heaters and window AC units really make that much of a difference? Learn how to tailor your heating and cooling needs with the information presented here.

Getting Smart About Home Heating and Cooling

Your home's central heating and air conditioning system doesn't and shouldn't have to do all the hard work of keeping your living areas comfortable alone. Studies show that an ever-widening range of home accessories such as portable space heaters, ceiling and area fans, and programmable thermostats make your utility costs lower by providing increased cooling and heating to specific parts of the home.

Central units, even those with closable vents, are not always efficient because they attempt to cool or heat all areas of the house at once. By limiting your energy usage to powering other units that heat only certain, well-traveled areas, you conserve energy - conservation that translates directly into savings on your home utility bill.

Space heaters are new, cheaper, more energy efficient

Many modern space heaters use ceramic heating elements that are both safer and cheaper to manufacture than the traditional nickel-chromium heating cores of times past. The ceramic heating unit is commonly encased in plastic, making them more affordable than metal-cased heaters. Some space heaters mount to a wall or rest against a floorboard, and remain fixed in place. These are ideal for living rooms, sleeping areas, and other parts of the house that are regularly used for long periods of time.

Electrical space heaters are more expensive to operate than propane based heaters but area also safer and cheaper. They should be treated like any other electrical appliance. Never use a small-gauge extension cord to operate any space heater, and don't use heaters whose power plugs have become corroded or worn. When storing them in the warmer months, pack them inside their original packaging to keep dust and mold off their surfaces.

Use window air units and fans to cheaply cool the house.

Similar in theory to space heaters, window air conditioning units allow the flexibility of cooling only one area of the house. Modern units, such as those certified with the Energy Star seal of approval, offer increased efficiency and energy-saving features like digital timers and directional vents.

Keeping air conditioners stocked with refrigerant helps them work at optimum capacity. Sealing their edges with caulk or insulating tape will also promote better efficiency.

Ceiling fans cost only as much as an average 100-watt bulb to operate yet can lower a room's temperature up to four degrees. Area fans can be moved throughout the house for ventilation wherever it's needed. Finally, all-house attic fans save energy by drawing hot air into the attic and disbursing it through the attic's vents.

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