Know How To Prepare Your HVAC System For Winter
After enjoying the summer and fall weather, most homeowners fail to consider the state of their HVAC system as winter approaches. Winter is the most punishing season in the US calendar in terms of extreme weather conditions. During warm weather, you can find other ways of cooling off without the use of your HVAC such as taking cold showers or using a portable fan. However, when the biting cold winter weather arrives, there are few options that can adequately replace your household HVAC unit in terms of warming your house, and your family.
The health problems that accompany the winter weather are too numerous to include in this post. We are all aware that extreme cold is not a healthy environment to exist in. The importance of preparing your HVAC system for winter, therefore, cannot be over emphasized enough. This guide covers the basics of winter HVAC preparation that you can do on your own, or with the help of professional air duct cleaning Thousand Oaks company such as Air Duct Cleaning Ventura.
- Test your HVACs heating capability
You can’t identify problems with your HVAC unit without testing its heating capacity. Before winter arrives, you need to carry out sufficient tests to ensure that it can handle the rigors of winter heating. Check out all the heated temperature settings to ensure that even in the coldest weather, your HVAC system is able to keep you, and your family, warm. Take note of any noises such as rattles in your HVAC which indicate that there is something wrong with your unit on a mechanical level.
- Check and update your thermostat
Your thermostat acts as the main control interface for your HVAC unit. If it does not work, your HVAC will not serve its purpose in your household. If you are using an old HVAC unit, engage the services of an air duct cleaning Thousand Oaks company to check whether it is mercury-based. If it is, you need to replace it with a modern digital thermostat which is more accurate, and will save you money by reducing your energy consumption.
- Clean your HVAC unit
This particularly concerns the parts of your HVAC that easily accumulate dirt and debris such as the air ducts and the air filter(s). A dirty HVAC unit not only increases your energy bills by creating an inefficient heating system, it also compromises the quality of your indoor air. To protect your family from respiratory diseases, ensure that your HVAC is thoroughly cleaned prior to the winter season when you will need to heat your house almost on a full time basis.
- Insulate your HVAC
This is a step that also applies to the air ducts. A professional air duct cleaning Thousand Oaks company, such as Air Duct Cleaning Ventura, should be engaged here because insulation is not a DIY task. When properly insulated, your HVAC will be more efficient in terms of heating your house and this will reduce your winter energy bills.
- Get a HVAC professional to assess your system
A HVAC system has many moving parts that need to be assessed by a professional eye. Before winter arrives, seek professional help to diagnose and fix any issues with your HVAC system. This is also the perfect time to seek a preventive maintenance service from your HVAC contractor.
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