Virginia is no stranger to cold winters, and you don’t want to spend
a day without your heating system. Breakdowns are, unfortunately, a common
occurrence during the colder months as people rely heavily on their heater
to keep their home warm and cozy. Heating repairs can range from several
hundred to thousands of dollars; most people don’t have that kind
of money lying around, which makes preventative maintenance all the more
important!
Read on to learn how to prevent your heating system from breaking down
as well as how to improve its efficiency year-round.
Schedule a Tune-Up ASAP
If you haven’t had a seasonal tune-up prior to winter, there’s
no time like the present to book an appointment with a licensed HVAC technician.
One of our professionals can come out and take a look at your home’s
system, inspecting it from top to bottom and ensuring it’s optimized
to run effortlessly.
A heating system tune-up consists of many tasks including checking the
seals in your ducts, replacing your air filter, thermostat calibration,
cleaning burners and inspecting your pilot system.
Replace Your Thermostat’s Batteries Annually
A low-powered thermostat can cause your heater to short-cycle and put a
strain on your system. Working harder to produce less heat raises your
energy bill and causes your heater to wear out before its time. One of
the most unexpected causes of furnace breakdowns is the thermostat.
Replacing your batteries at least once a year can help prevent your heating
system from shutting down at a moment’s notice and leaving you in the cold.
Prioritize Your Home’s Airflow
Proper air circulation plays a much larger role than you might think when
it comes to system efficiency. Apart from making your home more comfortable
and evenly heated, good airflow also optimizes your system’s ability
to cycle hot air. You may have heard that closing vents in unused rooms
is a good way to lower your heating bill, but this isn’t always true.
In fact, obstructing airflow by blocking or sealing vents can actually
put greater strain on your system.
You should also keep your doors open to promote proper ventilation; the
heating and cooling system in your house is designed to carry air throughout
the home, so any room that has a vent in it should be open for air to
easily pass through.
In addition, set your ceiling fans to spin clockwise on the lowest setting
in the winter, which will help spread warm air throughout the home.
Clean Your Air Filter or Install a New One
Air filters aren’t just for your air conditioning unit. A furnace air
filter protects your system from dirt and debris, which winds up clogging
internal mechanisms and blowing unclean air into your home. There are
different types of air filters you can buy depending on your needs; filters
with higher MERV ratings are better at removing certain types of contaminants
from the air, which may be necessary if you have pets, smoke or high levels
of dust in your home.
Cleaning and replacing air filters when needed:
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Prevents a build-up of mold-causing bacteria in your ducts.
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Keep your heating and cooling system clean and less likely to break down.
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Reduces strain on the system’s output, improving performance while
increasing comfort and lowering costs.
Air filters with plastic frames are designed to be reused, so you’ll
have to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and clean it regularly.
If you’re unsure how to change your furnace air filter or need suggestions
on which type you should buy, we are happy to take a look at your system
and provide professional recommendations.
Know the Warning Signs of an Impending Breakdown
There are many signs that your heating system is in need of a technician’s
TLC before it shuts down completely. By researching the signs of a furnace
problem, you can eliminate the guesswork and know exactly when it’s
time to call a professional. Some of the most important, can’t-miss
signs you need a repair are continuous short-cycling or stopping, a constant
burning smell or clanging, hissing or screeching coming from the vents.
It’s never a good idea to let problems go and hope they’ll resolve
on your own. If your heater cries out for help, listen. Although you may
think you’re sparing yourself the cost of a service call by leaving
things unattended, you’ll spend far more if a problem is left untreated
and a repair job turns into a full-blown replacement.
Don’t Forget to Clean Outside
Your lawn and landscaping can influence how well your heating and air conditioning
unit works. Outdoor unit heat pumps reverse the refrigeration cycle to
warm air from the outdoors and deliver it into your home. If your outdoor
unit is buried in ice or snow, obstructed by overgrown shrubs and grass
or collecting sticks and leaves, you’re likely to experience a full-system problem.
Routine maintenance includes removing any debris that’s obstructing
your outside unit. Doing so will prevent foreign objects from getting
sucked into the unit. You can also clean the exterior when the weather
is above freezing by using a coil cleaner and a hose.
One of our professional technicians can clean your entire unit and walk
you through the steps so you’re prepared to do it yourself at least
twice a year. Ideally, you’ll want to clean your HVAC outside unit
once in the fall before the temperature drops too low and just before
summer hits and you switch to air conditioning.
Your Virginia Heating Repair and Installation Needs Covered
Contact
My Plumber Heating and Cooling today to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed HVAC technicians.
We offer heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing services throughout
Northern Virginia and Maryland. With our team, your comfort always comes first.
