With cooler weather on it’s way it will soon be time to switch from cooling to heating your home. Just switching the thermostat from “cool” to “heat” is not enough. You should be prepping your HVAC system for the fall to make sure that it runs efficiently during the cold part of the year. Check out these tips to make sure things are ready for cooler weather.
- Schedule a maintenance appointment with Reliance Home Comfort
Just like your car needs to have routine maintenance, your HVAC system is no different.
Most HVAC specialists recommend that you have routine maintenance completed on your system every spring and fall – before it’s time to switch from heating to cooling, and vice versa. Trained HVAC specialists can quickly check your system to ensure that it is running efficiently. If your system is not operating efficiently, you are wasting energy and money. Give Home Reliance Comfort a call today and we can schedule routine maintenance for you.
2. Check your filters
You should change your filters throughout the year, not just in the fall. Filters come in a wide range – some need to be changed every 30 days, and others can last for 180 days. It all depends on the quality and design of the filter. More expensive ones will generally filter the air better and last longer. It’s important to change the filters according to the timeline on the packaging because clean filters allow air to flow through your home easily. Filters that are clogged impede the flow of air, which means, not only does your system have to work harder to move the air, but it is also circulating airborne bacteria, dust, and allergens. Filters that are regularly changed keep the air you breathe cleaner. Check the packaging on your filter to see how often it should be changed.
3. Allow time for a warm up
Since last spring, your heating system has sat idle, and it will need a few
hours to get back into the swing of things. So whenever you are ready to turn the heat on inside, put it on a lower setting than you normally would, just for the first few hours. By doing this, you give the system time to work up to where it needs to be, rather than starting cold and heating up quickly. HVAC systems sort of operate like a marathon runner, they don’t want to use all their energy on a quick spring, they want to use energy efficiently by building at a steady pace. When giving your HVAC time to warm up, all you need to do is put on an extra layer of clothes for a few hours to stay warm. It is sweater weather, after all. Once the system has been running for a bit, feel free to bump it up a few degrees to a more comfortable temperature.
4. Check the Thermostat
Lowering the thermostat one or two degrees below your usual desired temperature can
save energy and money. Every degree lowered saves your household about 2% on monthly utility bills. While that may not seem like much, it does add up over the months and years. It will also save you money by extending the life of your HVAC unit. The less work your system has to do, the longer it will live. Save money and still stay warm by pulling on a comfy sweater, or wearing slippers in the house.
5. Check for Leaks
Another aspect of routine HVAC maintenance is checking for leaks in the system. Your
system works hard to keep your home comfortable. If heated air is escaping from the air ducts, it is a big waste. Not only can heated air leak inside your home, but also outside. If you have poorly sealed windows or doors, warm air will rise, causing cold air to be sucked in from outside. Prepare your HVAC system for the fall by taking care of these issues. Trained specialists can quickly check for leaks in the ducts, windows, and doors of your home. They will make sure your system is working efficiently, and help you correct any issues they find.
It is important to get ready for the cooler weather, especially by preparing your home’s heating system. At Reliance Home Comfort we have a lot of experience with HVAC systems. Whether you just have a question for us about your unit, or if you want to schedule routine maintenance, we are more than happy to help.