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Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. In a typical house, over 40% of the annual energy budget is consumed by heating and cooling.

No matter what kind of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system you have in your house, you can save money and increase comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment.

Using passive solar design techniques to heat and cool your home can be both environmentally friendly and cost effective. For more information on renewable technologies, visit the Renewable Fact Sheet page.

For more information on home heating, view our home heating fact sheet.
     Home Heating Fact Sheet

For more information on home cooling, view our cooling basics fact sheet.
     Cooling Basics Fact Sheet

For more information on buying central air conditioning for your home, view our fact sheet.
     Air Conditioning Fact Sheet

For more information on water heaters, view our fact sheet.
     Water Heater Fact Sheet

For more information on purchasing and maintaining a furnace, view our fact sheet.
     Choosing an Efficient Furnace Fact Sheet

For more information on maintaining your fireplace safely, view our fact sheet.
     Fireplace Safety Fact Sheet

For more information and tips on how to manage your thermostat for comfort and energy savings, view our fact sheet.
     Managing Your Themostat Fact Sheet

Many older or less expensive thermostats have switches that contain mercury. To minimize the potential for accidental spills or releases of mercury to the environment, the WI-DNR is promoting the recycling of used mercury-containing thermostats. DNR also advocates their replacement with mercury-free electronic thermostats that make it easier to conserve energy. For more information, click on the following link to the DNR's fact sheet for households on mercury thermostats.

If you're in the market for a home heating or cooling system, you most likely have questions about how to choose the right contractor and equipment for the job. This fact sheet attempts to answer those questions -- and maybe some you hadn't considered.
     Residential HVAC System Installation Q&A