The winter months are filled with fun activities such as family gatherings, snow days, and a variety of holidays. Preparing for these events can be time consuming, but it is important to not forget about your HVAC system! Your heating unit works behind the scenes to make sure your home is warm for holiday parties or after a long day in the snow. To help prepare your home for the coldest months of the year in Staunton, we will list tips to winterize your HVAC system.
Why Is Winterizing Important?
Winterizing both your heating and cooling units is important for many reasons, but mainly for you and other resident’s comfort. As most Staunton locals know, temperatures can get very low in the winter. A heated home is necessary for your comfort and health, but unfortunately systems break down sometimes. The last thing you need is a costly breakdown and a freezing home due to a problem that could have been easily avoided. Winterizing your HVAC system ensures your comfort remains this winter and your cooling system is ready the moment you need it this spring!
Prepare Your HVAC System For Winter!
Your heating and cooling system is one of the most important appliances in your home, which is why it should be properly cared for each season. Winters in Staunton can be very cold and snowy and harsh on outdoor units. Below are 5 ways to help prepare your HVAC system for winter!
- Clean Heating Unit
- Change Air Filters
- Seal Air Leaks
- Schedule Maintenance
- Winterize AC Unit
Clean Heating Unit
Many parts of your heating system can get dirty and obstruct its ability to heat your home. Whether your unit is indoors or outdoors, it can collect debris and dirt. If your unit is outdoors, remove debris such as leaves, branches, and trash. Additionally, you should remove snow and ice after each frost. If your heating unit is indoors, dust the whole system and remove items such as boxes near the system. Your heating unit should be separated at least 30 inches from all items and debris to be able to perform efficiently.
Change Air Filters
Colds, flus, and other respiratory illnesses are more common in the winter months, which means indoor air quality is an important factor to staying healthy. You should be changing your air filter at least once every 3 months or sooner if necessary. If your air filter is clogged and dirty, your heating unit struggles to push warm air through. Ensuring your air filter is clean before the harsh winter weather can avoid a breakdown and minimize health symptoms.
Seal Air Leaks
Air leaks in your home and ducts can result in high energy bills, discomfort, and an overworked heating system. If you experience drafts or hot and cold spots throughout your home, you likely have air escaping. Your heating unit works hard to provide warm air, but air leaks allow the air to never reach your rooms. Our expert technicians can help winterize your HVAC system by sealing duct leaks in Staunton with our ductwork services!
Related Article: Are Your Air Ducts Leaking?
Schedule Maintenance
It is never too late to perform maintenance on your heating unit! While we recommend heating maintenance in the fall season, winter maintenance can benefit your home and heating unit as well. Heating maintenance is a preventative service and allows our technicians to catch underlying issues before they result in an uncomfortable breakdown this winter. This service is the easiest way to ensure your heating unit is reliable and ready to warm your home for all winter activities.
Winterize AC Unit
Although the air conditioning season is behind us, don’t forget about your AC unit this winter! To ensure your air conditioning unit is ready to go the moment you need it this spring. Follow these tips!
- Turn off power. The weather can surprise us in Staunton and turning off power to your AC unit ensures it will not turn on and use energy.
- Clean and remove debris. Leaving your AC unit clean will make your spring cleaning list much easier.
- Cover the unit. A protective cover will keep out debris, moisture, and pests from finding a home inside your unit.
- Remove snow and ice. Each time it snows, you should remove snow and ice from any outdoor appliances to avoid damage and keep them working well.
Whether you are enjoying the holiday lights at Gypsy Hill Park or shopping locally at the Staunton Farmers Market, your home should be warm and cozy once you return. Performing these 5 steps to winterizing your HVAC system to help save time, energy, money, and comfort. For heating repair in Staunton, give one of All-Temp’s trained technicians a call!
