5 Simple Steps to Get Your HVAC System Ready for Winter
As the cold weather is starting to settle in for the winter, it's time to get your HVAC system ready for the change. Preparing your system for winter weather will help you maintain a warm and safe home as the temperatures drop.
Here are five important steps you need to take to get your HVAC system ready for winter.
Identify the Hidden Issues – Get That System Checked Professionally
You should protect your home and heating equipment by scheduling an inspection. The heating system inspection should include checking gas valves, heat exchangers, flue exhaust pipes, flue inducer fans, blower fans, burners, or electric heating packages, and the safety controls, among other components and connections.
During the service call, all the dirty components should be cleaned and inspected for signs of damage. This process ensures that your system is safe, dependable, and ready to efficiently heat the home as desired.
Check your Thermostat and Settings
If your thermostat hasn’t been set for heat (it happens), make sure that it is. If your thermostat has an “auto-changeover” function – meaning that it automatically changes from A/C to Heat – you are probably fine. Either way, make sure that the “Days”, Times of Day “Wake-up/Leave/Return/Sleep) and temperature settings are where you want them to be based on your specific schedule(s).
If you still have a non-programmable thermostat in your home, it's time for an upgrade. You might not realize it, but a programmable thermostat can make your home more energy efficient. Most new thermostats are also Wi-fi capable, so you can set and monitor them from your phone or computer while away from home.
Give Your Dirty Filters the Boot
Now that the seasons are changing, it's time to replace your air filters. A good rule of thumb is to change your filters whenever the seasons change. That way, you know that you're changing the filters at least four times a year. Remember, Replacing the filters regularly will protect and increase the energy efficiency of your equipment while also improving the air quality!
If air quality is still an issue, we offer many beneficial products that can be easily added to your system. These can be especially helpful for those with medical conditions such as asthma, allergies, or other sensitivities to airborne particulates or biologicals.
Clear the Area around the Furnace
Play it safe and make sure that storage boxes and other household items or debris are moved away from the furnace or air-handler. These systems need “combustion air”, so clearance is important. Also, if you do have a maintenance check (you should) or a service-related call, access is easier and safer.
Make Sure That You Don’t Turn Off the Safety/Power Switch to the Furnace…
Believe it or not, every year we get a few calls for no heat and in this case, it’s usually around the holidays. Our customers go into the attic to bring down decorations or store gifts (or both). They will inadvertently turn off the power/safety switch to the furnace because it often looks just like the light switch – and is sometimes side by side with the other. We come out, turn the switch on and everything comes back on properly. So, the customers are cold for a short while because of this simple but common mistake. If you don’t have heat – Check this first. If that doesn’t work, please call us, and we’ll take it from there 😊.
To summarize, winters in Texas might not be as severe as other areas in the US, but you need to be ready (Remember the freeze??). Environmental Air Systems, Inc. (E.A.S.I.) is here for you and has been for over 41 years, so give us a call. We're here to handle all your HVAC maintenance and repair needs.
Note: We also maintain and service swimming pool heaters and heat-pumps. Call and ask for more details! (713) 680-3274 or e-Mail: Service@EnvironmentalAir.com. Please visit our website at www.EnvironmentalAir.com for more information about our services and benefits!
