Save Money on Heating and Cooling Costs

It seems like everything is more expensive these days. A gallon of milk now costs close to $4, a gallon of gasoline is closing in on $5 per gallon and your home heating and cooling bill has never been higher.

According to the E.P.A., the average American household now spends $1,900 annually on energy bills. If you're spending significantly more than that, and/or experiencing some of the problems listed below, it may be time to consider upgrading your systems:

* Your home has humidity problems and/or excessive dust.
Poorly operating or improperly sized equipment could be to blame.

* Your cooling system is noisy.
Your duct system could be improperly sized or there
may be a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

* Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up.
In addition to the rise in energy costs, the age and condition of your heating and
cooling equipment may have caused it to become less efficient.

If you think it may be time to upgrade your home's heating and/or cooling systems, the first step you'll need to take is to find a contractor who can dismantle your old system and install something new. But where do you start?

Before the Internet came along, you would have had to wander through the yellow pages and make lots of phone calls to find the right person for the job. But nowadays, companies like QualitySmith.com make the job easier.

Here's how their service works:

1. Log on to their easy-to-use Web site, www.QualitySmith.com, check off whether you need a quote for heating, cooling or both, then add your contact information to the form.

2. You'll receive a call from someone at the company who will confirm your request, then set up appointments for you with at least 3 prescreened, reputable contractors qualified to do the work you need done.

3. You meet with the 3 contractors, receive their estimates, and choose the contractor that you feel is right for you.

"All of the contractors in our network are licensed in the states they work in, and have reputations second to none," says company president Chad Kreutz.  

The service is free to homeowners and there are participating contractors in all 50 states. Log on to www.QualitySmith.com to get your free quotes today.

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