The last thing any homeowner wants to deal with in the dead of winter is a problem with their furnace, particularly if it’s an issue that could have been addressed before winter arrived.
Most of us realize that proper maintenance is necessary to prolong the lifetime of any machine. Home heating systems aren’t an exception.
So, if you don’t know exactly how to maintain your home’s heating system for winter, don’t worry: We’ve gathered a list of six essential pointers from our experts at Delaware Heating & Air.
1. Change Your Air Filter Frequently
Frequently changing your furnace’s air filter is a must.
Unclean and clogged air filters make furnaces have to labor much harder than they ought to. Frequently changing your air filter extends the lifetime of your furnace and decreases your energy bills. At the same time, it improves the quality of air within your home.
In order to ensure your air filter remains clean, you should check on it every month throughout the winter because it is going to need to be changed at least every three months, if not more frequently.
2. Cleaning Air Vents and Air Ducts
When you vacuum in your residence, make sure you go over your air vents to try to clear out dirt and debris, which will decrease blockages and prevent indoor air quality issues.
However, if your home’s vacuum isn’t getting the job done sufficiently, give us a call. Hiring a professional to clean your air ducts will greatly improve air quality while keeping your home free of airborne particles. As a result, it promotes energy efficiency because all that hard to reach debris and dust reduces the flow of air to and from the components of your home heating system. Just remember, your furnace has to breathe.
3. Increase Insulation Upstairs
Even though insulation doesn’t sound like an important component to your home heating system’s function, it does, actually, carry out a major role.
Insulation fulfills this function in your furnace’s overall performance by keeping the warm air it produces within your home.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to check the insulation levels in your home’s attic. Be sure you have an adequate amount. If you don’t feel like you have sufficient insulation, or if you aren’t sure, give us a call to have one of our expert HVAC technicians check it for you. We’d love to hear from you!
4. Setting Your Thermostat Correctly
Can you recall the last time you replaced the batteries in your thermostat? And, is your thermostat set according to your winter comfort level needs? Have a look! And replace those batteries!
Also, to save money during the winter, we recommend placing your thermostat at a slightly lower temperature during the night, and when you’re not at home or on vacation. Then, once you return home, crank it back up. If you’d like to bypass having to do all this, winter is a great time of year to contemplate upgrading to a programmable thermostat in the event you haven’t done so already. A programmable thermostat controls your preferred comfort levels automatically, and around the clock, all winter long, and that will certainly save you money.
5. Cover Your Exterior AC
After fall, once the weather starts to get chilly, wrapping up your exterior AC unit is always a good idea. This is necessary to protect your unit against the winter elements while also blocking the cold air out. Check your local hardware store for high quality, reasonably-priced exterior AC unit covers. They will go a long way in protecting your AC from all the ice, snow, and debris of a long Delaware County winter.
6. Regular Servicing
If you remember one thing about our “Winter HVAC Maintenance Guide,” we pray it is this last and utmost vital reminder: Don’t skimp on routine annual maintenance to your home’s heating system! Trying to do so will cost you more down the road.
Each year, make sure you are scheduling a routine inspection/tune-up. If you haven’t had a technician come out to your home and carry out this vital bit of maintenance yet this season, now is the time to do so. Give us a call today!
During a heating system tune-up, we will come to your residence and inspect your home’s expensive heating system for a variety of reasons. Amid a full list of things, we search for signs of wear and tear that needs attention. Inspections also include cleaning, repairing, lubricating, and other optimizing services, so the furnace will function at its peak for a long time to come.
After all, nobody wants to deal with a furnace breakdown in the dead cold of an Ohio winter.
If you haven’t had an inspection yet, please give Delaware Heating & Air a call today at 740-227-8302, or schedule an appointment online now at https://www.delawareairandheat.com/schedule-now/ .
We’d love hearing from you!
