Keeping your home cozy warm in the winter can be hard. With a proper HVAC, this should not be a problem, but most people don’t realize that their HVAC is not efficient.
In essence, HVAC must be maintained. If it’s not, it starts to perform worse. To resolve this issue, you need to know what to look out for.
In this article, we will cover some useful winter HVAC tips, so that you can ensure that this winter, your home does not get cold.
Whenever you’re ready to alleviate the challenges of a poorly functioning HVAC, keep reading and let’s see if we can help.
Get an HVAC Inspection
The first thing you should is to get your HVAC inspected. In general, this should be done on an annual basis before winter actually starts. Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC is living up to its potential longevity, but also running efficiently.
Like anything in life, the better and more you care for something, the more likely it is to last longer. The same applies to HVAC systems.
If you are not sure if you will remember to get your inspection, you should sign-up for a maintenance agreement that will make sure you get your inspections done.
Change Air Filter
To work properly, your HVAC system must be clean. Throughout your home, dust and dirt gather in your vents and then make their way to the furnace. These particles are caught in your filter.
Replacing your filter every 3 months will ensure your HVAC is optimally clean. A clogged filter will depreciate heat spread throughout the home, which is something to avoid.
Furnace filters come in a variety of sizes and shapes. It can be hard to determine which is best for you. That’s why it’s best to delegate this task to your preferred company, which will send you the right filter at the right time, depending on your replacement interval.
Isn’t that a convenient and easy way to ensure your house is warmed properly throughout the winter?
Clean & Seal Air Ducts
Your air ducts are essential to warm air delivery in your home. If you have lots of dust on your flooring and furniture, this can be a sign of dirty air ducts. Having air ducts cleaned and sealed properly will ensure that your home contains a stable temperature, but also improved air quality.
During your inspection, your HVAC specialist will tell you if your ductwork is properly done. If your ducts are not sealed, you can be losing over a third of the air generated by the furnace.
A professional company should be able to seal your ductwork with a special sealant, after which you will notice less dust and a more stable temperature in each room of your home. This also leads to decreased energy bills.
Thermostat Upgrade
Advanced technologies make life more convenient, efficient, and accessible. Your HVAC system is not an exception. There have been great advances in thermostat tech that will help you save money.
With many smart changes, you can monitor and set your temperature from your mobile devices. You can also set a schedule that will run without your intervention.
When you’re working, you can set the home heat lower, and then make it rise as you are getting back. Another one of the greatest HVAC tips is to set your temperature at 68 degrees when you’re home, but lower it when you’re not asleep or not home.
It’s approximated by the Department of Energy that you can save almost 10% each year on your energy bill by turning your thermostat by 10 degrees for 8 hours each day.
Consider A New System
Before winter starts, you should consider getting a new HVAC system. First, find out how long your system has been installed. If it’s been over 10 years, it’s probably a good idea to change.
Outdated and old systems will run at half performance almost always, whereas a new system is designed to deliver over 90% efficiency. Not only is this not optimal, but it might be costing you a fortune.
Thus, a replacement now might be costly, but it will pay off in the long-term.
Prevent Drafts
Another thing you can do is go through your home and check for any drafts. If you feel an air draft, this is probably due to poorly sealed doors and windows. This will make it very difficult for you to keep a stable temperature in the home.
This can easily be resolved with rubber seals for door frames and specialized window seals. This can be DIY, so it will only take you a couple of hours. But the pay-off is well worth it.
Energy Bill HVAC Tips
If your energy bill is running higher than usual, there’s probably some sort of issue directly related to your HVAC. Throughout the winter, keep a very keen eye on your usage of energy and then cross-compare against previous bills throughout the years.
I find something that’s unusual, check your air filter. If that’s not the problem, call over a specialist to come and take a look. It might seem like a wasted expense, but it pays off if a problem is located and resolved.
Depending on the climate that you live in, winter can be very harsh. Don’t get caught in the cold with a poorly performing heater that will spike your costs and malfunction regularly.
Show your HVAC some care and love by following these HVAC tips and it will take care of you in return during the times when it matters most.
HVAC Assistance for You
Now that you have discovered some winter HVAC tips, you are well on your way to ensure that your system is running at its best potential. As long as you care for it, it will care for you. It’s a mutually-beneficial relationship.
If you’re interested in an HVAC inspection or any other specialized HVAC service, get in touch with us and we will happily accommodate your needs.
