Winter temperatures throughout the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, average slightly above freezing at 33.2°F. Whether you love cold weather or not, you’ll want your home to be cozy and warm during these temperatures.
If you haven’t used your heating system since last winter, you might need to prep your HVAC system beforehand. Not sure how to prepare? Read on to find out.
Schedule a Tune Up
Using your heating system in the winter after not using it for a while can cause problems if you don’t get a tune up beforehand. Sometime before winter arrives, preferably in the fall, contact the CW Service Pros for an HVAC tune-up.
Be sure to find the right reviews on an HVAC company you are hiring. Usually, these HVAC companies commonly rely on HVAC marketing professionals to have the highest online traffic.
You can also opt to get an AC tune up at the same time to get an early start for warmer seasons.
A tune up will resolve wear and tear problems along with repairing minor flaws in the HVAC system. Without this simple maintenance, your heating and cooling system’s efficiency will decline big time.
Maintenance like this can detect a problem before it occurs. It is much better to opt for this preventative maintenance to avoid problems with your heating system during the cold weather months.
Change Air Filters
Air filters protect the HVAC system from debris that can lead to inefficient performance. Depending on the type of air filter you have, you’ll need to replace it monthly to every 12 months.
Although this is something you should be doing regularly, changing your air filters before winter, if you haven’t in a while, is a good idea.
During colder seasons when you need to use your heating system, it is not uncommon for the filter to fill up quickly. Inspect your filter each month thereafter to decide when you need a new one.
Clean Your Furnace
If you get an HVAC maintenance tune up, an HVAC repair company will clean out the interior of your furnace for you. As the homeowner, you are responsible for keeping the area around the heating system clear.
You’ll want to remove dirt and debris that can get sucked into the furnace while it’s on. To ensure airflow is possible, remove items from around the furnace. Flammable items shouldn’t be stored close to the furnace at all.
Reprogram the Thermostat
If your thermostat is programmed for certain fall temperatures, you’ll want to reprogram it for the winter. When your home is unoccupied, choose a lower temperature for efficient heating while you are home.
Setting the fan to auto is also a good idea because your blower will only run during the heating system cycle. You won’t have to feel cold air blowing through the vents because the fan won’t run without heat.
Taking Care of Your HVAC System Before Winter
Preparing your HVAC system for winter involves taking care of the system before the cold weather months arrive. Most importantly, you should schedule a tune up, change air filters, clean the furnace, and reprogram the thermostat.
These common preventative maintenance methods are a good place to start. If necessary, your local HVAC company will make you aware of additional requirements that your system needs before winter.
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