Heating maintenance is the only way to make sure your home’s HVAC system is operating at peak performance during those cold winter months. Nothing is worse than your heating system malfunctioning at the first signs of the temperatures dipping below normal. So, why is maintenance so important for heating systems and heat pumps?
*Collaborative Post
What’s a homeowner to do to make sure their homes stay warm until spring? It all starts with making sure you’ve taken the proper precautions.
Schedule Out Maintenance Twice A Year
The key to making your HVAC system last is scheduling preventative heating maintenance services. An affordable maintenance check at least twice a year is going to save you more money than a costlier visit when your HVAC is not operating correctly.
These visits will not only inspect the overall health of your unit, but a service technician will also make sure that the unit is working as intended.
For Your Health
Heating maintenance not only makes sure your HVAC unit is operating precisely, but it’s a necessary safeguard to keep everyone inside the home safe.
A malfunctioning HVAC unit not serviced at least twice a year could be pumping out dangerous gasses like carbon monoxide that can seriously hurt or even kill.
HVAC units working efficiently also reduce harmful particles from entering your home. But you have to do your part in the process by checking your air filters.
Check Your Filters
Making sure the air filters inside your home are changed every few months is one way you can avoid a unit not operating efficiently. Your HVAC system is only going to work harder if the air filter is blocked by all the particulates swirling around your home.
According to This Old House, it’s recommended that you change the air filters inside your home every two to three months depending on certain factors – mainly if your home has children or pets.
Buying the right type of filters is also important. The New York Times says the most efficient filter you can buy is one with a MERV rating of 8 to 13. That’s an important rule of thumb to keep in mind when you see expensive air filters at your local home store. Just because something is more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better!
Monitor Your Thermostat
Thermostat usage is also another way to help with the health of your HVAC system. Adjusting your thermostat a few degrees down will make it so your unit is not working harder than it should keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
Programmable thermostats have also become a valued part of the homeownership experience. These devices can be programmed so your unit is off during the times no one is home or maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the day and night.
Depending on how tech-savvy you are, you can also purchase smart thermostats that learn patterns to help your unit operate only when it needs to instead of all the time.
The U.S. Department of Energy also claims that you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by adjusting your thermostat properly.
Conclusion
The health of your HVAC unit largely consists of how much care is taken by a homeowner. If you’re following these simple steps, then your HVAC unit will operate as intended. Still, regular heating maintenance by a professional will make sure those cold months are a little more bearable for you and everyone inside your home.