Now that the calendar has turned to September, it’s time to start thinking about the cooler weather that’s fast approaching. Before you know it, the heating season will be upon us, so it’s important to make sure you complete all necessary preparation to get your heater ready for winter. This will ensure your system is fully operational and functioning as efficiently as possible so you can guarantee a full season of reliable and energy-efficient service.
But what exactly does heater winter preparation involve in Alexandria, VA? Here’s a quick overview of a few tips to put into practice as you get ready for the winter months.
Replace your filters
You should be replacing your filters with the changing of each season already, but if it’s been a while, then now’s a great time to make the switch. A dirty filter will lead to inefficient operation of your heating system that will increase energy consumption and costs of operation. It is also one of the most common causes of breakdowns and malfunctions. Switching out your air filter is easy—it creates cleaner air and more efficient operation, and it will prevent you from dealing with potentially expensive issues down the road.
Clean the furnace
Another one of the best ways to ensure efficient operation of the unit is to keep it clean. Throughout the summer, you’re not going to get a whole lot of use out of your furnace, which means some dust and debris will likely collect on it. If you don’t clean out the furnace, it could work harder than necessary to function and push air through the system, as the burners will be coated with dirt and dust that makes them struggle to operate as they should.
Ensure proper airflow
Make sure the vents in each room of your home are not blocked by furniture or other items so you can get proper airflow (and heat) throughout your home. Insufficient heating often occurs due to venting blockages.
In addition, avoid closing vents, even if you don’t use the rooms very often. There is a common misconception that doing so will divert the heat to the rooms that have open vents, but this could actually harm the airflow in your system, cause your ducts to develop air leakages, create excess moisture and make your entire system operate less efficiently. Your system was designed for the size of your home, so let the vents remain open at all times.
Schedule routine maintenance
Finally, it’s important for you to stick to a routine maintenance schedule with a professional service company. In addition to performing all of the above tasks, professional HVAC technicians will be able to carefully inspect your system, find any potential vulnerabilities or problems and repair them before they become more complicated and expensive. Regular preventative maintenance is the best way to extend the life of your system.
These are just a few of the steps you should take when focused on heating system preparation for the winter months in Alexandria, VA. Contact an HVAC contractor at A Action Home Services for more information.