Winter’s cold temperatures often mean that your heating system has to work harder to warm your home. More frequent use also means regular maintenance is even more important to keep it running smoothly. What are the most important winter HVAC tips for preventative maintenance? Replacing the air filter every month ensures warm air flows freely without overworking the system. Learn more ways to maintain your HVAC system so that it can continue to warm your home all winter long.
Winter HVAC Tips: Why Is Preventative Maintenance Important?
Checking and maintaining your heating system not only ensures that it’s running efficiently but can lower your energy bills and avoid costly repairs. Our list of winter HVAC tips will detail how to perform HVAC preventative maintenance and what steps are the most important.
1. Replace Your Air Filter
This simple task is one of the most important HVAC preventative maintenance tips. An HVAC air filter screens out impurities to clean the air that flows through the system. But when it becomes clogged with dust and debris, the filter can limit airflow, making the system work harder. It can also leave harmful impurities in the air, compromising air quality.
Checking the filter every month and replacing it if it’s clogged ensures that clean, warm air flows throughout your home. It also lowers energy bills and avoids overworking your HVAC unit, preventing breakdowns and repairs.
2. Check the Vents
When you check your air filter, we also recommend checking the HVAC vents for accumulated dust and dirt. These impurities can lower your home’s air quality and create blockages that overwork the system. If there is a significant buildup in the air vents, you can vacuum them with a hose attachment or schedule a professional vent cleaning.
3. Add Insulation Wherever Necessary
Ensuring your attic is sufficiently insulated is an investment in your home and HVAC system. Proper insulation ensures that warm air stays in and cold air stays outside your home. It also lessens the burden on your HVAC system, saving on heating costs and making it easier to maintain your home’s temperature.
How do you know if your attic’s insulation is sufficient? It should have enough to obstruct your view of the floor joists. If this isn’t the case, consider adding additional insulation to your attic or consulting with an HVAC technician.
4. Reprogram Thermostat
When you’re heating your home daily, reprogramming your thermostat is one of the most important winter HVAC tips. Lowering your thermostat at night and when no one will be home avoids overworking the system and keeps energy bills lower. Since these simple tips are easy to forget, investing in a programmable thermostat can ensure they’re done automatically. These thermostats allow you to set different temperatures for different times of day without having to adjust them every time manually.
5. Get an Inspection
Yearly inspections are a crucial part of HVAC preventative maintenance. A professional technician can spot signs of wear and tear to prevent bigger repairs, clean the system, and make sure it’s running efficiently. While it’s best to schedule professional inspections in the fall, having a professional inspection during winter can help your system meet the rest of the season’s demands.
Consider enrolling in an HVAC maintenance plan to ensure your system runs smoothly all year.
6. Cover the Outside AC Unit
Covering your outside AC unit is another simple HVAC preventative maintenance tip that can prevent bigger problems. Keeping the unit covered during winter months prevents debris from accumulating and protects it from ice, snow, and even animal infestation. Outdoor covers are readily available at most home improvement stores.
The technicians at Dependable HVAC Atlanta can help with winter HVAC preventative maintenance. Call us for professional advice or assistance!
