Whether it's soccer practice, playing in your own tennis league, preparing a favorite family meal, or attending a community meeting, our lives are full of activity.

No matter how busy our lives can be, we all love to come home and relax before the next hectic day begins.

There are certain things we expect in our homes, and we are sure to be disappointed when the unexpected occurs. One thing we expect is for our homes to function. We want pipes not to leak, heating and air systems to work, indoor air to be clean and healthy, homes to be safe and easy to maintain and affordable monthly bills. With the advances in 21st century products and building technology, our needs and wants in a home are quick and easy to obtain.

 Affordable Monthly Bills

 One of the factors that determine our home's performance is energy. Electric appliance technology has made great strides in improving comfort, providing water-heating needs, contributing to clean indoor air quality and giving customers energy bills they can afford.

A central electric heating and air conditioning system commonly used today is called a heat pump. In the cooling mode, it works similar to your central air conditioner. In the heating mode, a heat pump is efficient and returns more energy than it consumes, generally at or above 200% efficiency. This keeps you comfortable and saves on energy bills. With gas energy prices rising over the last three years, the heat pump is becoming a sought after alternative to heating your home with a gas furnace.

Dispelling the Heat Pump Myth

First, heat pumps must be installed with attention to engineering design standards.

Who said gas furnaces are warmer? Years ago we were used to backing up to room space heaters. Gas furnaces (the older lower efficiency models) allow you to stand over a vent to warm up. The supply temperatures tend to be warmer than your skin temperature so it makes you feel warm fast. A heat pump has a lower supply temperature and will not feel as warm as you want when you stand over a supply register. However, both systems do an adequate job of meeting the temperature you set on your thermostat if they are installed properly and you have the proper insulation measures installed.

Clean and Healthy Indoor Air

Heat pumps should be installed with a high performing air delivery system (your ductwork). Tight energy efficient duct systems deliver cleaner air into your home with fewer dust particles. Leaky ducts can draw in dirty air from your attic, crawlspace or basement. These spaces may contain insulation particles, hot humid air, dust, dirt or dangerous fumes.

Some reports indicate that indoor air can be up to four times dirtier than the air outside.

The more attention given to heat pump installations and room-to-room air delivery results in balanced air pressure in the home. Unbalanced air pressure can cause chimney and gas appliance flues to back draft dangerous chemicals into the breathing air in your home.

Maintaining Your Cool and Heat

Your heating and air equipment needs proper maintenance. Remember to clean or replace filters every one or two months. Each manufacturer has various recommendations, so be sure to check manufacturer specifications. Keep individual room supply registers open, and don't block return registers with furniture. To ensure adequate airflow, keep the outdoor unit free of leaves, grass, shrubs, snow or other materials that block airflow. Do not place lamps or other heat producing appliances near the thermostat. And most importantly:

• Have a trained heating and air conditioning professional conduct a performance check at least once a year.
• Read and follow your system's operating manual. The equipment manufacturer is your best resource on how to operate the system in your home.