Now that the colder months of the year are approaching, it won’t be long before you’re reaching for the thermostat to turn up the heat. Not so fast, though! Before turning on your heater, make sure you’ve followed these maintenance tips:
Hire a Technician
The best thing you can do to ensure that your heating equipment is operating at its peak performance is to hire a qualified technician to inspect it. This should be done annually to improve efficiency, prolong its operating lifespan, and pinpoint any problems.
Clean or Replace the Air Filter
When air filters get dirty, HVAC equipment fails to run at an optimal level and fails at removing contaminants from your air. Before turning on your heater, either clean or replace the filter if needed. After that, you should check it each month.
Check the Airflow
If air isn’t properly flowing throughout your home, turning on the heat won’t have quite the effect you’re looking for. Make sure that nothing is blocking the registers and open them up to clean the ducts as far as you possible with a clean cloth and vacuum.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
While upgrading your thermostat isn’t necessary for proper operation of your heating equipment (unless the device is broken, of course), there are new types on the market that will allow you to get a better handle on your energy usage. Smart thermostats can be changed remotely through a wi-fi connection and will allow you to set the dates and times of operation.
Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Prior to switching on the heat, it’s important to ensure the safety of your family by checking the condition of your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Each device has a test function that will show you whether or not it’s operating properly. Also, check the batteries and replace them as needed.
For more expert advice before turning on your heater any other home comfort questions, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. We’ve been serving the HVAC needs of Yuma and the surrounding area since 1952.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.
