We’re only getting our first taste of fall weather, but before you know it it will be time to turn on the heat. Before winter kicks in and heating costs go up, save a bundle on HVAC costs with a bit of winter preparation. Preventative maintenance prepares your HVAC for winter when it’s time to turn on the heat.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare your system for the winter chill – and remember, if your furnace needs major maintenance, call a licensed HVAC technician to help.
1). Clean Air Ducts
Air ducts accumulate dust, mold, allergens, and all sorts of contaminants without provocation. One of the best things to do when checking your system is to schedule a duct cleaning service to really clean the fans, grills, and motors of the unit. A certified HVAC professional will take apart the HVAC unit and dust and vacuum the parts of the system. If there is a possibility of mold, a vermin infestation, or you’ve been noticing the energy bills increase, that’s a signal to call a technician for a cleaning.
2). Examine the Belt
It’s the belt inside of the HVAC that powers on the blower and circulates air through an outdoor compressor. If the belt shows any signs of damage, it needs a replacement. In states with humid and hot temperatures, this is an especially common problem of wear and tear.
3). Inspect Vents
If the vents in your home are covered by furniture, remove them and un-obstruct the airflow. A bad airflow will force your HVAC to work harder, raising energy costs for the home.
4). Power Down
Take steps to turn off all the power to the unit, waiting for the blower to halt before doing any maintenance on it.
Perform a Sound Check
When you turn your unit on, check for odd sounds such as rattling or banging noises, to make sure everything’s in check.
Replace Your Filters
Once every three months, make sure to replace your air filters. When a filtration system has dirty filters, it needs to work a lot harder to increase efficiency. Give your HVAC a rest before the winter really has a chance to slow it down. A simple replacement filter keeps your HVAC healthy year-round and filters the air in your home well. Having a brand new air filter prolongs your HVAC’s life and with an allergen filter, drastically improves indoor air quality.
Check for Moisture
Moisture really shows improper operation. Check for any rust or dirt on the vent pipe or dampness on the windows.
Check Room Temperature
If you want your room to be at maximum comfort, check on your thermostat when the unit is turned on. If you discover any noises, moisture, or any other signs mentioned earlier, get in touch with a certified HVAC technician. This ensures your parts will be totally cleaned, lubricated and drained, along with all assembly and controls for the burners are in proper working order. A complete inspection will make sure that your heat exchanger performs well and the flue system is also corrosion-free.
5). Schedule a Maintenance Check
Sometimes the best choice you can make is just to schedule a qualified, certified HVAC technician to show up right on your doorstep. Certified technicians check every nook and cranny of your device and they look for where they can find issues that will lead to bigger problems down the line.
Call HH Heating for an affordable HVAC inspection that will keep your house safe during the winter months. When all is said and done and every aspect of your system is good to go, you can sit back and enjoy the winter knowing that you’ll have enough heat throughout the whole season.
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