Is Your HVAC System Ready For Winter?

With colder months ahead, now is the time to make sure that your HVAC system is ready to keep you warm and cozy through the winter. Even newer HVAC systems need regular maintenance to keep them running efficiently. Nobody wants their heating system tofail in the middle of a cold snap; not only is it inconvenient, it is also when HVAC technicians are the busiest and may not be able to quickly get out to fix your problem. Like most mechanical systems, preventative maintenance can save you money and time by fixing issues before they become expensive problems. 

Winter Maintenance Items

There are a few items on your HVAC system that should be checked or replaced before the coldest months of the year are upon you. Some you may be able to do yourself, however regular annual residential HVAC maintenance should be performed by a professional. 

  • Filters. Many filters on HVAC systems need to be cleaned or replaced monthly, or every three months at maximum. Before the cold sets in, make sure your filters are clean and ready for duty.
     
  • Thermostat. One of the most common problems in a heating unit is the failure of the thermostat. While HVAC systems can last decades, the thermostats often need replacing more often.
     
  • Duct cleaning. Through the year, dust and bacteria can build up in your air ducts. Before blowing these contaminants around your home, have your ducts cleaned for a healthy winter. 

Not only can maintenance prevent breakdowns, it can also save on energy bills. By having your HVAC cleaned and maintained before the winter months, it should run more efficiently and be ready to handle your heating needs until spring arrives.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Heating System Tune-ups Save Money and Promote Safety

Although you might not be thinking of cranking up your furnace, cooler weather is not far away. Now is the time to schedule a heating season tune-up, including:

  • combustion adjustment
  • professional cleaning
  • safety check

Ensuring that your home’s heating system undergoes an annual “tuneup”, is a great investment.

Failure to schedule regular HVAC service is usually penalized with:

  • Increased fuel bills (up to 15%) resulting from inefficient operation. This is essentially the same as burning money. It’s always better to have a trained HVAC service professional perform the necessary tests to determine your system’s combustion efficiency prior to, and after it is tuned up.
  • Accelerated wear and tear of equipment. You can extend the life of your equipment by as much as 10 years with annual maintenance.
  • Avoidable and preventable HVAC system repairs. Maintenance costs much less than repairs. Furthermore, it’s never convenient to experience a breakdown. Regular maintenance helps you to avoid such breakdowns.
  • Life-threatening carbon monoxide gas. Yearly heating inspections are also important for the safety of you and your family. Occasionally, issues with a heat exchanger or flue system problem can allow deadly gas leaks in your home. Unfortunately, too many people die each year because of such tragic leaks. Trained technicians are able to spot warning signs in HVAC systems.

Today’s HVAC systems are incredibly more sophisticated than those in the past. Wellequipped and trained service professionals use a variety of electronic devices and tools to ensure your system is properly serviced. If you’re ready to have your unit tuned-up, contact a professional to do the job right.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Gain Energy Efficiency with a Furnace Tune-Up

Fall is quickly approaching and, just as we monitor and change our clocks and fire alarms by the seasons of spring and fall, so should we give our attention to a tune-up of our home’s HVAC systems. According to some reports (depending on your location), having your furnace tuned-up in the fall could save you approximately 10% on heating energy costs throughout the winter.

The cost of regular residential HVAC system maintenance is minimal, compared to potential energy savings, as well as the cost of preventing potentially costly repairs. Of course, there is nothing like the peace of mind in knowing that your heating system is safe, efficient, and dependable when winter’s cold temperatures arrive in earnest. 

Your local HVAC technician will test all of your gas or combustion systems, to ensure that carbon monoxide levels are safe and that your system is operating efficiently. Your HVAC contractor will check the flue temperature, take draft measurements, clean the burners, combustion and heating surfaces, and make adjustments to the air flow rate, as well as fuel flow, to ensure optimum functioning. 

Once your tune-up is complete, you will only have to check and replace the furnace filter about once every month. Also, make sure that your heating registers are cleaned, and free of objects that can block the flow of heated air; you may also want to close the heating vents in rooms that are unused. Furthermore, consider maintaining your thermostat no higher than 68 degrees and turning it down at night when you are covered with blankets, as well as when you aren’t home. Lowing your thermostat in this way can save you an additional 10% off your energy bill.