As the winter chill descends, it’s vital to ensure your home remains cozy and comfortable. The last thing anyone wants to deal with is sudden HVAC issues during a cold winter night. To ensure you stay warm this winter and get ahead of the chilly weather, we’ve compiled a list of six helpful tips to help you avoid unexpected HVAC malfunctions.
#1. Heater Troubleshooting
If you want to stay warm this winter, you’ll need to ensure your heater is functioning optimally. If it’s not heating your home effectively, consult the manufacturer’s manual for instructions or try these troubleshooting tips:
- Check the thermostat: Make sure your thermostat’s settings are correct. If it uses batteries, try replacing them.
- Inspect the power source: Verify that the heater is receiving power by checking the circuit breaker or fuse box. If you have a gas heater, make sure the gas supply is turned on.
- Examine the pilot light: For a gas heater, check to see if the pilot light is lit.
- Reset the system: If your system has a reset button, try resetting it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you’ve tried everything you can think of and your heater still isn’t working, it’s time to call in a professional HVAC technician. With their advanced skills and expertise, they can identify the problem and provide effective solutions.
#2. Furnace Tune-Up
Staying on top of HVAC maintenance is instrumental in preventing major problems, keeping your home warm all winter long and saving you money on costly repairs. One way to do this is by seeking out a yearly professional furnace tune-up to ensure your heater is able to operate safely and efficiently. This is ideally done before the freezing temperatures arrive, but it’s an essential part of HVAC maintenance regardless of the season.
Tune-ups allow HVAC technicians to inspect your furnace for anything that may be amiss, including wiring issues, corrosion, leaks, insufficient airflow, and debris. If they identify any problems, they can provide you with prompt repairs, ensuring your furnace remains in tip-top shape for years to come.
#3. Eliminate Drafts
Believe it or not, your windows and doors can have a significant effect on your HVAC system’s performance. They are a major source of heat exchange, which means that in the winter, they let heated air out and cold air in. Because of this, your heating system will have to work harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, therefore increasing your energy bills and leading to premature wear and tear on system components.
If you want to optimize your HVAC system’s performance, check each of your windows and doors for drafts. If you detect any cold air coming in, you can utilize weatherstripping or caulking to seal the gaps and enhance your home’s insulation.
#4. Upgrade Your Insulation
Your home’s insulation is another factor that can influence your HVAC system’s performance. If your home lacks proper insulation, it will be challenging to stay warm when outdoor temperatures drop, so you may want to consider investing in an upgrade. Proper insulation acts like a warm blanket, keeping the warm air inside your home and the cold air out, making a substantial difference in your level of comfort.
#5. Clean Your Air Ducts
Over time, your air ducts have likely accumulated a buildup of dust, dirt, debris, and pollutants. Not only does this negatively impact your indoor air quality, but it also affects your HVAC system’s effectiveness in maintaining your home’s temperature. All that debris decreases airflow, putting undue strain on your HVAC system and leading to premature wear and tear.
If your air ducts could use some attention, professional duct cleaning services are an effective way to ensure your HVAC system is taken care of, helping you stay warm indoors despite the winter chill outside.
#6. Utilize Space Heaters and Fireplaces
If you need a little extra coziness in one area of your home, space heaters and fireplaces can be an excellent way to stay warm. However, they are not to be used as a replacement for a central heating system. Gas fireplaces are technically cheaper to run than central heating, but they are less effective at providing warmth. Space heaters can save you money if you only need to heat one room of your house, but they can cause your energy bills to rise if you use them in tandem with a central heating system.
If you find that you’re overly reliant on a space heater or fireplace to stay warm, it’s a good idea to get your furnace looked at by a professional to ensure it’s working properly.
Stay Warm With Services From R&D Heating and Air
At R&D Heating and Air, we are dedicated to helping Utah homeowners stay warm during the chilly winter months. If your heater or furnace needs a tune-up or repairs, don’t wait until you freeze — call us today to schedule a service appointment with one of our experienced technicians.