As summer winds down and the weather starts turning cool, it is important that you take time out to prepare your heating and cooling system for winter. By preparing your system, you can hopefully avoid major breakdowns on cold days. Here are some tips to help you get your system winter ready.
- Check your pilot light. Ensure that the pilot light is properly working. During the summer, a blown out light is not a big deal, but it is crucial to heat your home.
- Replace your filter. Even if you live in a cooler climate, your system could have seen a lot of action this summer. As a result, debris and dust gets caught in the filter. To ensure your system is running at its best, change your filter.
- Check your vents. It is important that air flows freely through your vents. Simply turn on your system and hold your hand in front of it to ensure air is blowing through it. If not, contact your HVAC technician to clear the possible obstruction.
- Seal your windows. Place clear plastic covering over your windows to help reduce heat leakage and keep air out of your home.
- Change the thermostat batteries. If your thermostat has low batteries, it cannot regulate your heating system properly. Switch out your batteries now to avoid problems.
- Cover the outside condenser. To extend the life of your system, remove the debris from the condenser and cover it up. Be sure to use a specially made cover that can be found your local hardware store.
- Check the area for flammables. If you stored flammables near your system during the summer months, now is the time to move them. Once your heating system turns on, your home is at risk of fire.
- Clean the system's furnace burners. Read your owner's manual to find where your burners and located and clean them. Use a dusting wand to remove the dust that accumulates occasionally.
- Schedule a maintenance call. Contact your HVAC technician to check the internal components of your heating and cooling system. If you have noticed any problems in the past with the system, now is the time to alert your technician.
Preparing now for the winter months can help you and your family avoid a cold winter night. Talk to your technician, like those at Climec Residential Inc., about other steps you can take to ensure your system functions properly and to schedule future service calls.
Share