Having your furnace conk out in the dead of winter can be a nightmare, and those after-hours emergency calls can get expensive. However, many homeowners can reduce their chances of furnace failure with regular maintenance and a few winter preparation tips.
Replace Your Air Filters
The air filters in your home trap pollen, dust, and debris from the air. Changing your air filters not only improves the quality of air in your home, but a clean filter means that your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard, and therefore helps prolong the life of the unit.
For pet owners, filters should be changed every couple of months, but if you don’t have a pet, remember to change your air filter when you change your clocks in the spring and fall.
Update or Reprogram Your Thermostat
Programmable thermostats allow you to set the temperature of your home, dropping the temperature when everyone is at work and school, and raising it when you’re home. We recommend a temperature of between 68 and 70 degrees in the winter when you’re in the house, and 65 degrees when it’s unoccupied. This not only saves you money on your energy bills but also reduces excess wear and tear on your HVAC unit.
Clean Your Vents and Air Ducts
Dust and debris don’t just collect in your air filter – it also ends up in the heating ductwork of your home. If you notice a funky, stale smell when you turn on your furnace for the first time, it’s the smell of all that dirt burning.
Having regular vent and ductwork cleaning improves the air quality of your home. Plus, regular cleaning also includes regular inspection, with a qualified HVAC technician checking for leaks, loose joinings, and other issues that may be causing your HVAC unit to work less efficiently.
Consider Replacing Your Unit
The average HVAC unit lasts about 10 to 15 years, even with the most careful cleaning and preventative maintenance. If you’ve had your unit for a long time, it may be time for a replacement. Newer technology has made HVAC units more energy-efficient, which can save you money each month on heating and cooling bills – and if you choose a certain “green” appliances, you may even get a tax break!
We’re qualified to install and replace units, and our team of experts can make recommendations about the right size and brand of the HVAC system for your home.
Get an HVAC Maintenance Agreement
A maintenance agreement includes inspection and preventative maintenance of your heating and cooling system. The techs at HVAC Industries will spot small problems before they become large ones and make simple fixes to prevent emergency repairs. Plus, we’ll also keep track of the age of your unit, what we’ve fixed and cleaned, and details about your home, so that when you’re ready to replace your unit, we can make detailed recommendations.
Need Professional Help? Give Us a Call Today!
HVAC Industries is a locally owned and operated heating and cooling repair and installation company. We’re certified to work on most major brands, and our technicians are trained with industry-leading skills. Whether you need a simple fix or a complicated repair, we get it right the first time. Give us a call or visit us online to schedule your service today!
