Winter is upon us, and that means there are plenty of cold days and freezing nights in our future. Most of us are happy to throw a few more logs on the fire or crank up the heat, but some will be unpleasantly surprised when no warm air comes through their vents. While the best time to check your HVAC system is before the heating season begins, you can still take measures to ensure that you stay warm all winter long. Here are a few easy tips to get you started.
Don’t ignore your outdoor unit
The elements are always hard on outdoor units, but in the winter the conditions can be downright brutal. Snow, ice, and yard debris build-up all present threats to how well your system operates and how long it lasts. If you live in an area with a lot of winter precipitation and long stretches of freezing conditions, these can be especially tough on systems. Ideally, you took measures to winterize your unit before the bad weather hit, but you should still check on it and make sure it’s free of ice, snow, and yard debris build-up that can restrict airflow. You should do this weekly throughout the winter.
Don’t forget about your filters
Too often people forget about their HVAC filters in the winter, thinking that it’s more of a summer maintenance. In reality, it doesn’t matter what the weather is, your filters need to be changed regularly. This helps to ensure that your system has the airflow it needs, but it also keeps your indoor air cleaner. This is particularly important in the winter, when you keep the doors and windows shut and spend most of your time inside.
Don’t forget to listen to your system
It is very easy to ignore the sounds around your house. Most people simply tune out things like the rumbling of their dishwasher and the sound of the ice machine. When it comes to your HVAC system, however, it’s important to listen from time to time. Any change in how it sounds when it kicks on, operates, or shuts off can actually indicate a problem. This can let you catch problems early on before they turn into larger, expensive repairs.
HVAC systems are important to your family’s year-round comfort, so it’s only fair that we do our part to keep them running smoothly. If you happen to have a problem, however, don’t get stuck in the cold! Just give us a call and we’ll get you back up and running in no time!
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