New homeowners can get caught up in the mindset that heating system maintenance is not necessary until late fall or winter rolls around. But even though it may not feel cold enough right now to warrant kicking on your home heating system, performing maintenance ahead of the cooler months is crucial to ensure that it does work when you do need it. In other words, the time to test, prep and make repairs to your heater is before you start using it a lot. Here’s how to get your HVAC installation in Polk County, TN ready for cooler weather:
- Inspect air filters: It’s a common belief that the air filter only catches dirt, dust, pollen, mold and other airborne particles to improve indoor air when, in fact, it does so much more. While trapping indoor particles does indeed play a role in cleaning the air, the air filter also helps the HVAC system to work efficiently by acting as a first line of defense against system clogs. If the filter is dirty, then it cannot properly circulate the indoor air, which leaves you with high energy bills and a tired heater.
- Adjust thermostat settings: First, if your HVAC is not hooked up to a programmable thermostat, you may want to consider installing one. A smart thermostat will let you program the system to turn on and off throughout the day, as well as preset temperature settings. To save energy, leave the heater off or turned down a few degrees when you aren’t home, and set it to start warming up your home about 30 minutes before you’re expecting to return.
- Remove window AC units: While window air conditioning units are great for staving off summertime heat, they won’t do you any good come fall and winter. Window ACs should be removed when summer has passed to avoid letting moisture in through cracks in between the unit and the window frame. The vents are also likely to channel in the chilly outdoor breeze, even if you close them or board them up. Remove window AC units and stow them away until next summer.
- Test the heater before it gets cold: How do you know your heater will work when the cold weather arrives? Because you gave it a test run on a warmer day, right? Warning signs that you may need to call an HVAC pro for repairs include strange noises, bad odors and the unit either struggling to stay on or not turning on at all. Be ready for the season—test your heating system now!
- Schedule a fall tune-up: Professional HVAC maintenance can detect existing problems, help the system work more efficiently and prevent costly repairs in the future. But more than anything else, a fall tune-up will ensure that you and your family stay warm throughout the fall and winter.
Whether your residential or commercial HVAC installation in Polk County, TN is in need of professional repair or replacement parts, know you can contact the team at Higdon Heating & Air LLC anytime, 24/7!