How To Avoid Problems With Your Heating System This Winter
It’s getting pretty chilly outside, and lots of people in our area are starting to turn their heating systems on. There’s nothing better on a frigid day than walking into your warm and cozy home. Conversely, it’s a pretty bad feeling when your heating system runs into a problem and doesn’t keep your space warm.
There are some steps you can take to help your heating system avoid issues during the winter. Whether you have a furnace, a heat pump, or ductless mini splits, we have a few tips for your heating system.
I’ve been working in the Bristol, VA area for over a decade, and I’ve seen a lot of broken down heating systems. It’s not uncommon for a heating system to break down, as they last for over a decade themselves and experience significant wear and tear. Still, there are things you can do to preserve your heating system, and prevent these breakdowns from happening frequently.
In this article I’ll go over a few of the steps you can take to prevent heating issues in your home. If you would like to speak to a professional, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online!
Scheduling Annual Heating Service Is The Best Way To Avoid Heating Problems
The best way to ensure your heating system is running efficiently is by scheduling a professional heating service. We recommend you have your furnace serviced at least once a year, preferably before the winter cold is here for good.
During routine heating service, a trained HVAC technician will clean and inspect the components of your heating system. They will look at everything from the electrical connections, to the pilot light, your flue system, and your thermostat. During this inspection, they can see if there are parts or components that need to be replaced before they fail. When cleaning the system, they will help prevent some of this normal wear and tear.
Routine heating service will do more than help you avoid problems and repairs being needed. When you have your annual heating service, you see a few more benefits as well:
- Improved energy efficiency
- Lower energy bills
- Longer system lifespan
- Improved indoor air quality
- Ensures safe operation
- Keeps warranty in tact
If you haven’t had your heating system serviced yet this year, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online!
Change Your Air Filter
You should change the air filter in your HVAC system once every 1-3 months. This is a simple task that you can perform on your own. This is also something that can be done during your heating service, but you should change the filter more often than you should have our system serviced. This means you should have a few filters on hand at home to change them yourself.
If you don’t know how to change the filter, we recommend that you:
- Ask your technician to show you during a service
- Refer to your HVAC system’s manual
- Go on YouTube or the manufacturer’s website to find a video that shows you how to do it
Changing the air filter is simple, and something that once you perform once, should have no problem doing it whenever you need to.
Your air filter catches any airborne particles that may pass through your HVAC system. If this filter fills up and gets clogged, it prevents airflow. This can back the air up in your system and cause problems. This will also hurt the indoor air quality of your home.
Air filters are inexpensive, and usually cost between $10-$50. We recommend buying a few and keeping them on hand for when you need to make a swap!
Clear Vents And Ducts
It’s easy to accidentally block a vent if you are moving furniture around. Maybe your child wants to rearrange their bedroom, and in the process they put a bureau in front of a vent. I’ve seen it in plenty of homes, and it’s easy to avoid. Give your vents a little space and make sure they are free to push air into the necessary spaces of your home.
You may also want to have your ductwork cleaned at some point. This is going to clean the air in your home, and also promote improved air flow. It’s very unlikely a vent can become so clogged that airflow is prevented completely. Instead it usually builds to a point where it impedes airflow enough to cause uneven heating, and makes the air dirtier to breathe!
Improve Your Insulation/ Seal Leaks And Windows
If your home is leaking air, it’s going to cause your heating system to work harder than it should. Improving your insulation will help you retain heat, and protect your home from the outside elements. The same goes for sealing your windows and doors. These are projects that may be a bit more expensive, but they last for years. You won’t need to worry about insulation or leaks every year if you take care of them properly.
Years can pass and you will need to make sure your home is still sealed, but this should help keep your home more comfortable, and ease the burden of your heating system.
Heating Service In Bristol, VA
We hope these tips will help you keep the heating system working properly, and keep your home warm and comfortable this winter. If you are looking for help with your heating system in Bristol, VA, or the surrounding towns, give Complete Comfort a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online. Our trained technicians can service your heating system, and make sure your home is ready for the winter cold!