Winter is an incredibly damaging season. From bitter temperatures and blistering winds to heavy snowfalls, your home is placed under a significant amount of stress. One of the most important areas at risk is your HVAC unit: if you’re facing an exceptionally cold season and find yourself constantly cranking the temperature up, you’re forcing your furnace to work extra hard, which in turn increases your chances of needing HVAC repairs.
Routine maintenance — performed before, during, and after the fickle season — is the best way to protect yourself from any unseen (and expensive) events. Here are four ways to keep your heating and cooling system running smoothly year-round.
- Replace the filters: As HVAC systems continue to work, so do their air filters. This means contaminants are constantly building up; if these vital filters aren’t replaced every three months (at the very least), your unit will be pushed to its limits as it tries to force air through the clogged filters. As a result, you may end up facing costly furnace repairs, or even a broken unit that needs to be completely replaced.
- Clean it out: If you’re able to access the inside of the unit, you may notice a buildup of dirt and dust. Grab a vacuum cleaner and do your best to remove as much of the debris as you can; just like the air filters, this will help your unit function at maximum capacity.
- Listen carefully: You may find that your system is making some odd noises, or isn’t acting quite like normal. Don’t ignore these signs! Calling a professional at the first sign of trouble could mean the difference between a minor fix and a complete unit replacement.
- Make an annual appointment: Even if your system has been running smoothly for months, it’s always a good idea to make a routine appointment for your routine maintenance. Professional contractors will have more equipment and know-how than you when it comes to making sure your machine is running in tip-top shape.
Your heating system is invaluable when the temperature drops and snow begins to fall. By following the above tips, you can keep that HVAC unit running for years to come and ensure that you and your family will never be left out in the cold.