Winter is quickly approaching and if you haven’t had to use your heat yet, chances are you will this week. Whether you have an electric heat pump or a gas furnace there are some things you can do to help prepare your system for those cold temperatures of winter! In this article we’ve compiled some tips to help you along the way.
Turn up the heat when you don’t need it
Yep, you read that correctly – turn up the heat when you don’t need it. What you want to do is identify if your HVAC system has any issues heating your home BEFORE it’s 35 degrees outside. Turning your system to heat mode and running up the temperature on your thermostat will kick on your heat pump or gas furnace. Identifying if there are any problems with the heating mode and getting them fixed could save you on a chilly day.
Inspect your insulation
Whether you have an attic or a crawlspace you need to make sure you don’t have any areas with missing or damaged insulation with a routine insulation inspection that you can co on your own. If you do, the cold air will find those spaces and could have an impact on the temperature inside your home. Another good place to start is with any weather stripping on doors and windows. The valuable heat you pay for could be escaping through these cracks. A well-insulated home is an efficient home!
Change your filters
Changing your filters is the most basic but important thing you can do to help your HVAC system. Dirty filters lead to clogged air flow which leads to a less efficient system and a service call. Do yourself a favor and change your filters! While you’re changing your filters, you might as well clean off the return duct. This will help reduce dust from being trapped on your new filter.
Schedule a maintenance inspection
We recommend that all of our customers get their HVAC system inspected at least once per year, twice if you can. Furnace inspections are beneficial to your air conditioner’s efficiency, cleanliness, and longevity. Our technicians do a comprehensive inspection of the system and clean it up. Investing in a maintenance inspection can save you a lot of money and stress down the road. Before our tech arrives, take note of any unusual noises and odors so we can be sure to check them out!
Schedule service
Give us a call and we'll send one of our local, professional technicians to your home. You can reach us at 478-953-3041, or contact us online. A Speir technician will help you understand if your heating and air conditioning system needs basic maintenance, or if it's time for a new HVAC system.