Autumn is slowly creeping by, which means winter will be here in no time. As the weather changes, so will your air conditioning and heating habits. Being comfortable in your home is only possible with an efficient, functioning heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Here are a few HVAC tips to prepare your system for the changing temperatures of fall and winter.
Replace the air filters
The easiest action you can take to make sure your system is ready to run as efficiently as possible during fall and winter is one that you already do every few months – replace the air filter. The purpose of the air filter is to collect allergens and dust, preventing them from circulating throughout your home.
As the weather cools down, we tend to stop thinking about our air conditioning system. Don’t fall for this trap. Regularly replace your air filter every month or two.
Clean the outside unit
Autumn is the perfect time to show your outside unit some TLC. Begin by removing any debris like leaves or twigs that have built up around the unit, and make sure there is a clearance of at least two feet from surrounding objects or shrubbery. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can clean the condenser coil and fins inside the unit. Be sure to turn off the power before accessing the internal parts!
A clean outdoor unit will result in not only efficiency and comfort through the fall and winter seasons but will increase the longevity of your HVAC system.
Schedule a tune-up
If taking your outdoor unit apart seems like a more complicated task, contact the AC repair experts for an annual AC maintenance appointment. Once per year is the minimum recommendation for a professional tune-up – consider scheduling a tune-up with the changing of the seasons so the system is ready to take on the new workload!
The earlier you schedule a maintenance appointment, the earlier you can discover and resolve any problems before they become major issues in the dead of winter.
Perform a test run
Turning on your heater before the full force of winter arrives is a great way to identify any heating issues. Do not be alarmed when the first use produces a burnt smell. That is the dust burning off that has built up since the last use – most likely from last year.
For safe measure, test your heater at least three times to verify consistent warmth during each use and throughout your home. If there appear to be cool spots, contact the HVAC professionals for furnace maintenance or heater repair, so you will be up and running when the cold temperatures drop in.
Have you tried these tips and discovered a problem with your heater? Contact My Guy Heating & Air for same-day heating repair services!
