Pre-Winter HVAC Inspection

5 Important Pre-Winter HVAC Inspection Tips

Do you want to make sure that your HVAC system is up to date before winter arrives? No need to worry because we are here with all the necessary information that you didn’t know you needed.

Winter is just around the corner and it’s time for a pre-winter HVAC inspection. The winter season is about festivity and joy but nothing spoils the mood faster than finding out that your heating system isn’t working properly. So, to stop that kind of negativity from lowering your spirits, you need to perform a maintenance check beforehand. This way you will be able to ensure the comfort of your family even on ice-cold days.

Here are some of the steps you can take to make sure that your HVAC system is ready to keep your house warm on harsh winter days:

• Air Filter Maintenance – Experts say that your air filters need to be changed every 2-3 months. Dirty and clogged air filters restrict the airflow and affect the overall efficiency of your system. Keep checking your unit for dirty filters every 30 days and change them before every winter and summer. An uninterrupted airflow will allow the heat to spread evenly in the house. If there’s a need to replace the filters, learn which filter would be suitable for your HVAC system. Experts suggest air filters with an MERV rating of 7 and above. These filters entrap dust particles thus keeping them from entering the air in your house. Keep back-up filters at your home especially in the winter. This way you won’t have to go out of your home to buy a new filter in case of emergency.

• Cleaning the Air Vents and Heat Ducts – Dust that accumulates in the nooks and crannies of your house may clog the air vents and heating ducts. Before the arrival of winter, you should inspect all the vents for any blockage. Clean heat ducts mean an uninterrupted flow of heat and ultimate comfort. A thorough inspection should be performed to see if there are any leaks in the ducts. Leaks mean a low-efficiency HVAC system and energy wastage. For the proper upkeep of your heating/ cooling system, you should hire professional help.

• Change the Thermostat Settings – You will need to reprogram the thermostat for winter as you need to activate the “heat mode”. Feed the new commands and check if you activated the right program. A few important tips can make your HVAC system more energy-efficient. You can save energy by setting the thermostat closer to the outside temperature. It will also reduce your electricity bill. Make sure to modify the settings of your thermostat before you go out. Programmable thermostats are the best for scheduling temperature settings. Some of these thermostats can also be controlled remotely via gadgets like smartphones or smartwatches.

• Fire Prevention Tips – When using heating equipment, you should be extra careful. Even momentary carelessness may result in something as big as a fire accident. Here are some tips to keep yourself and your family safe from any such accidents: Make sure that all the heating sources are at least 3 feet away from everything that can catch fire quickly and store all the flammable liquids in a cold, dry place. Pay attention if you notice any gas leakage warning signs. The most common telltale sign of gas leakage is a rotten egg or sulfur-like smell. Install heat or smoke detectors to alert you in case of an emergency.

• Professional Inspection – Even though you can perform some of these checks by yourself, you should not skip professional tune-up sessions. Professionals can identify the issues that you may not be able to find. A professional inspection may prevent many problems from arising in the future. A thorough inspection of your HVAC system before seasonal changes will increase its life expectancy. So, make sure you’re doing it right.