While the changing weather provides a great opportunity for homeowners to save on heating and cooling costs by opening windows and temporarily turning off the a/c, it has now gotten cold enough to turn on the heat! But is your HVAC system be ready to handle winter conditions?
Regular preventive maintenance should be performed twice a year to help your system keep up with our extreme seasonal temperature swings. Plus, it can increase your HVAC’s performance and help you avoid costly unexpected repairs. There’s nothing worse than being left without heat in the middle of a snowstorm or extreme cold snap. While most modern HVAC systems require very little maintenance, a quick tune-up can greatly extend the life of your equipment, ensuring it always runs at max efficiency.
As always, major furnace maintenance should be handled by a licensed HVAC technician, but there are some things you can do on your own that will result in a more comfortable winter:
Shut the Power Off
Turn off all power to the furnace before performing any maintenance. Make sure to wait for the blower to stop before starting work.
Replace Filters Regularly
Replace air filters at least once every three months, or more often if you have pets or allergy issues. Dirty filters will cause your system to work harder, resulting in lower efficiency and higher heating bills.
Run a Sound Check
Turn your unit on, then check for unusual sounds, such as banging or rattling.
Look for Signs of Moisture
Check for moisture accumulating on windows, or rust or dirt on/around the vent pipe. This can indicate improper HVAC operation.
Assess the Room Temperature
Monitor your thermostat’s temperature while the furnace is on to ensure rooms are reaching their full comfort potential. If you notice one area is very warm while others stay cool, you may have to adjust how much certain vents are open to redirect air flow.
If during your basic checklist you discover unusual noises, excess moisture, or other signs that your HVAC system not functioning properly, contact a certified HVAC technician. A technician can perform diagnostic procedures to discover the cause of a problem in addition to doing your pre-season maintenance. This will ensure that all parts are cleaned, drained and lubricated, and all parts of the system are working correctly. A thorough inspection by a tech will also show whether or not the heat exchanger is doing its job and the flue system is free of cracks and corrosion. Once maintenance is complete and your system is running at max capacity, you can relax with peace of mind knowing your system will provide ample and consistent heat throughout the winter season.
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Need help working through your home’s maintenance list? Give Capital City a call. As the leading contractor in Springfield IL, we keep your home running great at an affordable price!
