Preparing your HVAC System for Colder Months
You wouldn’t start a car that hadn’t been driven in six months and expect it to run perfectly. The same is true for your furnace, except it’s more like nine months in Aiken, SC.
Preparing your HVAC system before winter hits can save you headaches during the cold season – when you need it to keep your house warm.
Your HVAC has been pulling warm air out of your house for most of the year, extracting the heat, pulling out the moisture, and funneling it back in. Now you’re asking it to switch gears and heat the cool air before blowing it back in.
A quick check of the heating system in October can tell you whether the unit is ready for the cold or whether you need to call an HVAC professional for help before it’s too late. Ordering items could take weeks, so give yourself plenty of lead time.
First, ensure you change your air filter regularly and get a system checkup at least annually. Filters cost a few bucks each at your local hardware store.
Next, switch your thermostat to heat and crank it up. You’ll need to set the desired temperature above the house’s temperature. In Aiken, that might mean pushing it to 85 degrees for just a few minutes. If setting the desired temperature higher than the actual temperature doesn’t shift the HVAC into heat mode, you’ve already uncovered a problem with the thermostat. But double-check first that you’ve got it set to heat.
Let it run long enough to determine that it’s heating the whole house. It will be uncomfortable for a half hour, but you can handle it. Doing so could save you thousands of dollars and days without heat when needed.
Listen to the unit for unusual noises. Constantly switching on and off is a problem. Wheezing, squealing, gurgling, pinging, and rumbling all indicate that you need to get the HVAC system serviced.
Now, look around and make sure nothing is dripping or looking wet. That includes rust. Water is your enemy in a heating unit. Mold is a trailing indicator of moisture, so if you see any, you have a moisture issue that requires attention.
Repeat all this a time or two before Jack Frost visits to be sure the successful first test wasn’t the system’s last gasp.
It’s a good idea to get the ductwork cleaned every few years. Buildup in the ducts reduces the unit’s efficiency and can cause health problems. You can reach into the ducts with a long dusting tool and do a partial job or call professionals for a deep cleaning.
This is a good time to think about insulation and the integrity of your home envelope. That’s HVAC talk for the cracks and openings in the perimeter of your house that can allow outside air in and inside air out—sealing all those cracks, particularly around windows and doors, to reduce the load on the HVAC unit. If your house lacks sufficient insulation, getting some sprayed into the outer walls can save money on utility bills and extend the life of the furnace. Your HVAC care professional can help determine whether that’s feasible and worthwhile.
Preparing your heating unit for winter in the fall will prevent an emergency in the winter – while your family is shivering.
At Holley Heating & Air Conditioning, your comfort is our #1 concern. Air conditioning system maintenance is the key to keeping your system up and running efficiently and cost-effectively. You can trust our experienced team to keep your system running smoothly in all seasons. Call us to schedule an appointment today.
