Preparations for Winter months don’t just include holiday shopping and house cleaning. It’s important to prepare your HVAC system too. Most HVAC companies recommend spending some time on home maintenance this October, especially in getting your HVAC system ready for the colder winter months. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Taking care of your HVAC system now can save you the headache of a broken system in January.
1. Replace Weather-Stripping and Caulking
One way to keep your home energy-efficient is to pay attention to the little things that can save you lots. By replacing weather-stripping and caulking on doors and windows, you’re sealing up small cracks that can suck your heat right out the door. By replacing just this small but essential piece of hardware, you’ll notice some degree of savings on your wintertime energy bills.
2. Clean HVAC Filters
One thing most HVAC owners forget to do is clean out their filters. A dirty filter can restrict airflow throughout your home and put more strain on your system. Regular cleanings can not only re-open that airflow, but they can also reduce the number of pollutants trapped in the filter. If your filter is clogged, it’s probably maxed out the number of airborne particles that it can collect. Replacing your filter regularly can ensure you have better indoor air quality.
3. Check Your Ductwork
It’s a good idea to take a look at your home’s ducts at least once a year. October is the perfect time for this home maintenance task as your HVAC system is operating less frequently due to the milder weather. When checking your ducts look for signs of pest infestation. This can include rat droppings, ants, excess dust, and odors. Also, check for signs of broken seals and leaks. As the weather gets colder, pests will start to seek warmth by moving inside your home. Broken seals in your ducts can let them in.
4. Clear Debris from Outdoor Unit
While the leaves have put on an alright show this year, October is the month they truly start to fall. Don’t let them build up around your outdoor HVAC unit. Debris buildup can greatly restrict the air flowing into your system and put extra strain on the unit. Always leave a buffer zone of at least 2 feet around all HVAC equipment.
5. Cut Back Large Tree Limbs
Have you noticed any tree limbs overhanging your home recently? These limbs can be very dangerous if left unchecked. As the temperature continues to drop, trees become susceptible to winter burn, which is caused by a lack of water. This weakens tree limbs and can make them more likely to fall under the weight of winter ice or snow. If a tree limb falls on your HVAC equipment, you could be looking at a hefty bill, let alone if it damages your roof as well.
6. Test Emergency Equipment
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are essential pieces of equipment for every homeowner to have. But if they’re not tested regularly then you could be putting your family at risk. It’s a good idea to test your alarms with every change of the season, particularly before the winter months. While we’re on the subject, a common misconception is that a cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide into your home. While it’s important to replace all cracked or rusted HVAC equipment in your home, carbon monoxide is not a worry when it comes to a cracked heat exchanger. Still, a carbon monoxide detector is a truly important device to have in every home.
7. Insulate for Energy Efficiency
Too often we hear from homeowners who want to upgrade their HVAC system for a newer model in order to increase energy efficiency. While sometimes this is the right path to take, it’s not always correct. Oftentimes homeowners who struggle with energy efficiency live in an energy inefficient home. Putting a higher efficiency HVAC unit in your home won’t save you much money. What will cut costs on your energy bill is making your entire home more efficient. This includes hanging curtains, using door snakes, and replacing weather-stripping.
October is a great month for home insulation. Energy bills tend to go up over the winter and extra insulation can keep heat inside your home.
8. Get Your HVAC System Professionally Maintained
Not everything in home maintenance is DIY. As a matter of fact, there are some home maintenance tips that you do not want to do yourself. Maintaining your HVAC system is one of them. If you own an HVAC system, don’t attempt to service your equipment yourself. Are you ready for winter? Start now with Meldon HVAC.