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Having a functional heater is key to protecting your Browns Summit, NC home. Maintaining an acceptably high indoor temperature will prevent your pipes from freezing when the mercury plummets. It will also protect building residents from dangerous, temperature-related health issues like hypothermia and more. To avoid unexpected breakdowns and extended heating emergencies, the following are six tips to keep your heater running all winter long.
1. Schedule Preseason Furnace Maintenance
Preseason furnace tune-ups provide a wealth of benefits. They prime heaters for efficiency, eliminate buildups of dust and other debris, and ensure even and consistent performance. With annual heater tune-up services, you can look forward to modest, manageable energy bills and increased comfort indoors. Annual tune-ups additionally extend the life spans of furnaces and keep homeowners compliant with the terms of their HVAC manufacturer warranties.
During annual maintenance service, our technicians at Custom Air Inc. look for loose connections, worn components, and other signs of existing or developing issues. These visits are excellent opportunities for our team to catch and correct minor problems early on. We also thoroughly test home heating systems, verify the functionality and safety of furnace exhausts, and check the integrity of HVAC ducting. Cumulatively, these efforts reduce HVAC system stress and limit furnace wear.
2. Set Your Thermostat a Little Lower Than You Normally Would
Anything that you do to minimize stress on your heating system can help stave off problems like overheating and accelerated wear. One easy way to do this is by setting your thermostat just two to three degrees lower than you normally would. This will reduce the amount of work that your heater has to do throughout the cooling season. It will also lower your home energy bills.
It’s also a good idea to consider having a smart or programmable thermostat installed. With these devices, homeowners can schedule temperature adjustments to reflect changes in their schedules. This way, furnaces aren’t turning on and using energy when no one is present to enjoy the heat they provide.
3. Insulate Your HVAC Air Ducts
Ducted HVAC systems lose between 20% and 40% of the energy that heaters and air conditioners consume due to ongoing heat losses and heat gains. If you have uninsulated ducting throughout your home, these losses could be much higher. Before winter arrives, have your HVAC air ducts insulated by professionals. You should also have them inspected and sealed. If you haven’t done so in a while, you can additionally schedule professional air duct cleaning and have your HVAC system air balanced for better and more efficient air delivery.
4. Stay on Top of Air Filter Changes
Among the most common causes of midwinter heater breakdowns are dirty air filters. These simple and relatively inexpensive components have a major impact on the health of your heating equipment. Thick buildups of dirt, hair, lint, and other debris can inhibit airflow throughout your entire HVAC system. A dirty air filter can cause your furnace to short cycle, overheat, or shut down completely. If you run your furnace with a dirty filter for too long, it can also damage the heat exchanger. You should inspect your furnace filter monthly and change it every 30 to 60 days.
5. Be on the Lookout for Changes in Humidity
In addition to maintaining a comfortable, balanced temperature indoors, you also want to maintain balanced humidity. Humidity levels for the interior of your home should never fall below 40% or rise above 60%.
Excess humidity will make your home feel much warmer than it really is. It will also set the stage for mold and mildew growth and negatively affect your indoor air quality. Humidity lower than normal will make your indoor air dry and your living space feel much colder that its actual temperature. This could lead to higher thermostat settings, longer run times, and more stress for your heater. To make staying abreast of indoor humidity levels easy, many smart thermostats offer digital humidity monitoring.
6. Don’t Overlook the Symptoms of Developing Problems
Never neglect or delay essential heater repairs. Heater issues that start out small and localized will eventually have an impact on other HVAC system components and functions. Be on the lookout for signs of heater problems like:
- Cold air coming from your HVAC air vents
- Sudden and significant increases in your home energy bill
- Strange or louder-than-normal noises
- Foul furnace or ductwork odors
- Poor airflow
Scheduling repairs right away will minimize your risk of having minor issues lead to total equipment failure.
Since 1998, we’ve been proudly serving the Browns Summit, NC area. We offer heater, air conditioner, and heat pump installation, maintenance, and repairs. Our clients can also turn to us for duct cleaning, indoor air quality service, crawlspace encapsulation, and geothermal heating systems. To schedule an appointment, contact us at Custom Air Inc. today.
