HVAC Preventive Maintenance Tips for Fall and Winter
With the fall and winter holidays quickly approaching, now’s the perfect time to do some routine maintenance on your heating and cooling system.
Learn how to prepare your air conditioner for a long hibernation as well as tips for waking up your heating system without any problems. The last thing you want is to have your furnace break down in the middle of winter.
Heating and cooling account for around half (48%) of the total energy use in a typical home, easily making it the largest energy expense (U.S. DOE).
By putting a little effort into making sure your HVAC system is working properly, you will significantly reduce your HVAC system’s energy consumption. Make the switch from cooling to heating as smooth as possible. Below are some insightful tips on fall HVAC preventive maintenance.
Fall HVAC Preventive Maintenance Tips
Consider Replacing Your HVAC System
You should consider the age of your heating system and your current energy bills before you do anything. Heating systems that are more than 10 years old are only 40-60 % efficient. If your HVAC system is on its last legs, seriously consider replacing the entire HVAC system. Today, gas furnaces available in the market boast of efficiency ratings that are as high as 97%.
Clean or Replace Air Filters
Dirty HVAC filters restrict airflow and reduce the entire efficiency of the HVAC system. If you have not cleaned or changed the air filters of your system for a while, now is the perfect time to do it. This should be done every 1-3 months.
To be safe, inspect your air filter every 30 days to see if it is dirty and clogged. Check your owner’s manual for the best air filter to use in your system. Choose an air filter with a minimum MERV rating of 7. Make sure to have plenty of back-ups so you don’t have to run to the store every month or two.
Clean and Unblock All Vents and Registers
Go around your home and make sure all of your return and supply vents and registers are clean and clear. Double-check that none of them are blocked by rugs, furniture, or closed off in any way. Learn why you should never close any of your vents and other common HVAC misconceptions.
While you are checking to make sure nothing is blocking your vents, take some time to clean them of any dust that may have gathered around the area. Cleaning your vents helps prevent the dirt and dust from entering your HVAC system and circulating around your home.
Reprogram the Thermostat
When you start transitioning from cooling to heating, it’s a good idea to reprogram your thermostat. You can save a lot of money with a smart or programmable thermostat — you just have to make sure it’s set properly.
Lower the thermostat temperature for the times you aren’t at home to save some money and energy. You can save “1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long” (U.S. DOE).
Home Heating Fire Prevention
Heating equipment causes around 56,000 home fires every year. Make sure your family is safe from home heating accidents by following these heating safety tips:
Keep anything that could burn at least 3 feet away from all heating sources, including fireplaces, space heaters, furnaces, and cooking equipment.
Never leave a space heater unattended.
Do NOT plug space heaters into extension cords.
Never use your oven to heat your home or dry clothes.
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home and outside of each sleeping area.
Do not use any heater with a damaged cord or plug.
If you smell gas, turn off the appliance immediately (if you can) and evacuate the building. Then, contact the fire department and your local gas company.
Chimneys and flues should be cleaned regularly.
Use a proper screen/guard to prevent embers from flying out of the fire.
Professional HVAC Inspection
Have you serviced your heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for the winter period? Whether you are a homeowner or a property manager, you will need to find a reliable HVAC professional to help you service your HVAC system. A well maintained and serviced HVAC system is highly efficient in both its functionality and energy consumption.
A professional contractor should inspect your HVAC system at least twice a year, once in the fall for the heating system and once in the spring for the cooling system. The inspection is meant to detect any potential problems and ensure that the HVAC system is working as efficiently as possible.
The HVAC inspection involves checking filters, inspecting electrical switches, belts, contacts, motors, safety switches, gas pressure, and refrigerant levels.
HVAC Maintenance Agreement
An HVAC maintenance agreement, such as our Preventative Maintenance Plan, is a great way to keep your system at peak performance. Having an HVAC maintenance agreement not only gives you the advantage of priority service in the event of system failure, but also ensures that your checkups are done on schedule. This agreement will help you save a lot of money in the long run.
Winter HVAC Maintenance
The demand for HVAC systems increases as winter sets in. Therefore, you should always have your system inspected by a licensed HVAC professional contractor.
A well-maintained system is highly efficient in both energy consumption and functionality and prevents costly repairs and replacements.
DIY Winter HVAC Maintenance You Should Do
Even though energy bills are unavoidable during winter periods, below are some ways you can use to save some money:
Be sure to seal any energy leaks around windows, doors, and other openings.
Ensure that the vents and ducts are clean, and the air is circulating freely.
Maintain a regular annual maintenance schedule.
Use curtains to help keep warm air in.
Ensure that your thermostat is working properly.
What to Watch for When Doing Winter HVAC Maintenance
You should always watch out for these signs that could indicate your system’s inefficiency even if you have your regular system inspection:
Higher energy bills than expected
Inconsistent air-flow from the systems’ ducts
Dirty air filters that need regular replacement
Ductwork issues, for example, peeling tapes
Significant temperature differences between rooms
Importance of Winter Maintenance Program
Below are some benefits of performing regular maintenance on an HVAC system:
Ensure safety and comfort of your home.
The program maintains your warranty
Efficient functioning of your HVAC system
Having regular maintenance on your HVAC system has numerous benefits for you. You will be able to save a lot of money in the long run due to the improved efficiency in both performance and energy consumption.
