During the most frigid of winter nights, your home’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems become the most crucial devices you own. However, if things aren’t running correctly, it could lead to discomfort and higher energy bills.
Heating is usually the most significant energy cost for any homeowner. So, to ensure your home heating bill remains as reasonable as possible, support your HVAC system and keep it running correctly by following these winter maintenance tips we composed at Beavercreek Heating & Cooling.
1. Replace Your Air Filter
If you haven’t replaced your air filter in a long time, it can become dirty and clogged, which is going to make your furnace have to work harder than it should. As such, an old filter can drive up your energy costs. To avoid this, replace your air filter at the start of the cooling season, then prepare to do the same each month after.
2. Vacuum and Clean Your Air Vents
Most people keep their homes clean and vacuum regularly. But how many include their air vents each time? Incorporating your air vents when you vacuum assists in preventing blockages, and it prevents a decline in indoor air quality. It also supports a satisfactory temperature level throughout your home.
However, if you observe an extreme quantity of dust and dirt particles throughout your air vents, consider scheduling a professional air duct cleaning to clear out all the grit and grime that’s made its way inside these vents.
3. Check Your Insulation
While your home’s insulation may not appear to be a crucial component of your HVAC system, it performs an essential function in the system’s overall efficiency. Consider the insulation in your attic and ensure there’s an adequate quantity. If you aren’t certain your home has enough, let one of our trusted HVAC technicians check it out for expert advice.
4. Examine Your Thermostat
Check your thermostat to ensure it always has new batteries that work. Also, make sure you have it set in accordance to your winter comfort level preferences. To save on energy costs, we recommend placing your thermostat at a slightly lower temp throughout the night, and when you’re at work. Then, when you’re back at home, turn it back up.
To bypass all this, if you do not already own one, winter is a great time to upgrade to a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat will regulate your settings at the most practical and affordable levels all day, throughout the winter.
5. Cover Up Your Exterior AC Unit
It’s always advisable to wrap up your outdoor AC system when you are sure you won’t need it for the rest of the season. You can obtain a high quality, affordable unit cover at your local hardware store. It will guard the unit against all the ice, snow, and debris buildup of a long Greene County winter.
6. Schedule an Inspection
We cannot emphasize this enough. It always pays off, in the long run, to be proactive with your home’s HVAC system rather than being reactive. Be sure to schedule an annual inspection every winter. If you haven’t already had a professional inspection performed this fall, now is the time to do it. In a heating tune-up, an HVAC technician goes to your home and scrutinizes your heating system to detect any indications of wear and tear that requires servicing. An inspection will also incorporate cleaning, lubricating, and optimizing the furnace so it will run at its best.
If you haven’t had an inspection already, or if you require any servicing this winter, please give Beavercreek Heating & Cooling a call today at 937-708-8527 or schedule an appointment now online at www.beavercreekheatingandcooling.com/schedule-now/.
