CHECK ON YOUR HVAC DURING WINTER

HVAC Tips for Winter

While it’s important to prepare your furnace for seasonal changes ahead of time, you have to check on your HVAC during winter as well. The elements let loose with snow, wind, and rain, and you want to ensure that everything is still working properly. Give your HVAC system a midwinter checkup!

If You Have a Furnace…

GIVE IT SOME ROOM

Your furnace needs fresh air to work efficiently. Make sure it’s not cluttered by holiday boxes or other obstructions. Then, check the outside. Your exhaust flue should be clear. Branches or animal nests can restrict your airflow, so take a quick peek to make sure you don’t have any blockages.

CLOSE THE DOORS

Keep carbon monoxide and other combustion byproducts from circulating through your home by tightly securing furnace doors. You should also install carbon monoxide and radon detectors to alert you in case of a leak.

CHANGE THE FILTER

Did you know that your furnace has an air filter? In addition to replacing the air filters in your HVAC system, you should replace your furnace air filter. Filters should be changed every three of four months, so if you can’t remember the last time you replaced it, you’re probably due. You can find the furnace filter inside the furnace itself, or inside the return air vent. Furnace filters are a seasonal item, so keep an eye out for bargains during the summer months and stock up!

If You Have a Heat Pump…

CLEAR OUT DEBRIS

Check the area around your exterior HVAC unit. Soggy leaves, big branches, and little twigs can all get stuck in the coils and prevent your HVAC from working properly during winter. Snow and ice can also be a problem. Make sure the area around your unit is open. Prune any trees or shrubs back so there is at least 18″ of space around your HVAC.

CHANGE THE FILTER

Your HVAC filters should be changed at least every month. Learn more about how to find and replace your HVAC filters, so you can buy the filter that is best for your system.

TURN DOWN THE HEAT

Heat pumps work especially well down South, where the temperatures are moderate. But colder days may cause your heat pump to go into auxiliary mode. In this mode, your heat pump stops working so efficiently and instead uses electric resistance heating to warm your home. This type of heating can get very expensive very quickly. If you notice that your thermostat reads “AUX Heat,” lower the temperature so your heat pump can keep up.

No Matter What…

Whether you use a boiler, a heat pump, a furnace, or some other type of heating source, there are a few things everyone can do to make sure that they can properly run their HVAC during winter.

SCOPE OUT AIR VENTS

Make sure your air vents are clean (and open!) Rearrange your furniture so it doesn’t prevent air from circulating through the vents. The heater can’t do its job if the flow of air is restricted.

SCHEDULE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE

The best way to ensure you’ll have a problem-free winter (and year) is to schedule an annual maintenance check. During a maintenance check, your technician can inspect your HVAC system and spot problems before they get worse. There are some parts of your system you just can’t see without the proper knowledge and tools. An annual maintenance checkup for your HVAC system is worth the money. Call Newcomb and Company for HVAC Repair in Raleigh and Wilmington and schedule your maintenance appointment today!