Winter HVAC Maintenance Guide

Winter is getting ready to set in with a vengeance. That means it’s time to make sure your furnace is prepared to keep your home warm when the weather turns ugly outside. Don’t neglect your HVAC system and take a chance on having heating issues in the middle of extreme weather. Refer to our handy winter HVAC maintenance guide to keep your system in top working order all winter long:

1. Make sure your thermostat is ready for the Winter season

Get your thermostat prepped for winter. Conserve energy by setting it to a cooler temperature at certain times, like at night when everyone is snuggled in bed and during the day when everyone is at work or school. Increase the temperature by a few degrees when everyone is home. While you’re getting your HVAC system ready for cold weather, do yourself and your home a favor by upgrading to a more modern and efficient programmable thermostat. These handy devices make it possible for you to program your thermostat even when you’re not at home. It can be controlled via a free app that you can download onto your smartphone, tablet, or other device. This will keep your home comfortable at all times. It will also save you money energy bills. 

2. Protect the outdoor component of your HVAC system 

A lot of times, people forget about the outdoor part of their HVAC system. However, it’s just as important to maintain and protect this part of your system as the rest, if not more so since it is exposed to the elements year ‘round. This makes it more susceptible to damage than the indoor components. Invest in a good-quality cover for your outdoor unit. You can purchase a reasonably-priced one at most hardware and home improvement stores. They are sturdy and weatherproof, so you’re A/C unit will be protected against the buildup of dirt and debris as well as rain, snow, ice, etc.

3. Make sure your home is adequately insulated 

Some people don’t realize that the insulation in their homes is actually an important part of their HVAC system. Still, it is essential to the overall performance and effectiveness of your system in keeping your home adequately cool in the summer and warm in the winter. While the insulation is not directly in contact with your HVAC system, it is necessary to make sure that there is a proper amount of it present in your attic to maintain the comfort level and the temperature in your home all year long, in all weather conditions. Contact Pickerington Heating & Cooling 614-837-4026 and let us send one of our trained HVAC specialists to check your home’s insulation levels. If more insulation is needed or if old insulation needs to be replaced in order to meet your home with needs, we can help.

4. Change your furnace’s air filter

Prior to the onset of the cold-weather season, change the air filter in your furnace. If you replaced the filter at the end of the previous season when your furnace was in use, you might be able to skip this step. However, take a look at the filter to be sure it is completely clean. If it looks questionable, change it again. A good quality replacement filter only costs a few dollars and will likely last throughout the winter. However, it will still be necessary to check it every 30 days throughout the season and replace it if it becomes filled with dust and debris. Keeping a clean air filter in your furnace is one of the easiest yet most effective ways to keep your heating system in good working order. If the filter is neglected, it will become clogged and prevent air from flowing through freely, but your furnace will continue to try to force the air through. This can cause serious, often irreparable damage to your HVAC system. A simple step like replacing the air filter can make all the difference in your heating system’s performance. 

5. Have a professional HVAC inspection and cleaning

A few weeks before the start of the cold-weather season, schedule a comprehensive inspection and thorough cleaning for your HVAC system by a licensed professional technician. Ann inspection will reveal any existing or potential issues with your system so that they can be repaired before they become major problems. A professional cleaning includes all airways and vents in order to remove any dust and dirt that has settled in them during the months your furnace hasn’t been in use. It will also eliminate the unpleasant burning smell that comes with turning on your furnace for the first time this season, as the odor comes from the accumulated debris being burned off.

To make sure your home is winter-ready, give Pickerington Heating & Cooling a call at (614) 837-4026 or visit us online at https://www.pickheat.com/appointments/. We take pride in making sure our customers will be comfortable and happy throughout the winter season.