Do you have central air conditioning? An all-electric furnace? The second one can be a great option, since, according to the Department of Energy, you could see no energy loss through a chimney, which means it can retain nearly all -- 95% to 100% -- of the heat in your place. Still, you want to make sure you stay on top of HVAC repairs, otherwise you risk some serious problems. Here are some of those dangers:

It Can Create a Major Health and Safety Risk

If you notice that your central air conditioning or your HVAC unit isn't working as it should, you need to have someone look at it. If there's an issue with the heat exchanger, the combustion chamber, or a blocked or cracked flue, then that can cause carbon monoxide to leak out into your home. This is a potentially deadly situation since people can become overwhelmed by it and pass away. If you suddenly develop a major headache or feel sleepy or lethargic, open a window and have your family evacuate while you have an expert look and make any repairs. Also, invest in a carbon monoxide detector.

Not maintaining your HVAC can lead to more safety issues than just the air you breathe. There could be wiring issues that could wind up causing an electrical fire, which could wind up ravaging your home. That could cause issues with your insurance, especially if you didn't have your unit regularly inspected. Don't put your home in danger and have regular inspections.

The System's Energy Efficiency Could Decrease

If your HVAC stops working as it should due to an issue like a clogged filter or something else, it's going to have to work a lot harder than it normally would. That means it's going to be a danger to your bank account since your energy bill will go up more as a result. If you have someone come to repair your unit as fast as possible, and you also have maintenance done on it on a regular basis, then your energy bill will be back to normal amounts. Your wallet will thank you for that.

The main signs to look for with this is that you have reduced airflow. The HVAC might become noisier than usual, or you just might notice that the room isn't as hot or cool as it usually is. That's usually a sign that you need to have a professional look at it. If you're worried about the cost of that, then imagine how much you'll have to pay to have extensive repairs done. That thought should have you reaching for the phone.

Your Whole System Could Fail

If you decide to ride your HVAC as far as it can go without getting any repairs, you shouldn't be surprised when it goes completely kaput on you one day. Forget it struggling with energy efficiency -- it won't use any energy at all since it won't run at all. Again, this usually tends to happen when the weather is at its hottest or coldest. It might even wind up being a situation where there's no hope of repair and the only solution is to get a new one, which could wind up being significantly more expensive than you budgeted for.

The best thing to do is have someone check your HVAC at least once a year, if not more. That way, you'll give yourself the strongest chance of not having an emergency crop up, which seems to happen when the weather is the most extreme.

If this is your first time with an HVAC unit, you might be wondering where to find a repair person. You can do things like asking friends or family or just looking online to see what certain review sites are saying. Then you can contact the ones that get the most positive reviews and find out about their license status and their pricing. After that, you can watch as they get your unit back up and running, which will be worth it.

Do you need repairs done on your central air conditioning? We're a company that does everything from HVAC repairs and maintenance to boiler services. We're also associated with the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota, Business Network International, and HomeAdvisor. Contact our team at NorthStar Services today to learn more about how we can help you.