Your home’s HVAC system plays a crucial role in keeping you and your home safe. Cold weather is responsible for bursting pipes that lead to property damage as well as hypothermia. To improve the efficiency of your HVAC system this winter, you need to follow five tips.
1. Have Your HVAC System Inspected
Before winter gets too far along, you need to have your HVAC system inspected. An HVAC technician will thoroughly check your system to make sure everything is running efficiently and to ensure no ducts are clogged. The HVAC technician will also check that no electrical components are failing and that air is flowing properly. HVAC technicians recommend that your system is inspected annually. Make inspections part of your HVAC system maintenance.
2. Add Insulation
Adding insulation is another step you can take to improve your HVAC system’s efficiency. When you add insulation, you will keep heat from escaping your home, allowing your system to work less. Places you will want to add more insulation is in your attic, laundry room and in places where insulation appears to be lacking.
3. Cover Your Windows With Plastic
To keep the cold air out and the warm air in, cover your windows with plastic. You can purchase window insulation plastic or complete window insulation kits from Amazon or your local Walmart at reasonable prices. Putting the plastic over your windows will ensure your HVAC system will not have to work as hard to heat your home because cold drafts will not make their way inside.
4. Change Your Filters Regularly
Try to change your air filters every two to three months. Changing out your air filters ensures that dirt and dust will not impair the function of your HVAC system. Not changing your filters regularly can cause dirt and debris to build up, making your system work harder. The harder your system must work, the faster it will break down.
5. Have Your Ducts Cleaned
Finally, you need to have your ducts cleaned. Having your ducts cleaned improves airflow which will, in turn, enable your HVAC system to better do its job. Heat will be more evenly distributed, thus making for a more comfortable environment. Experts recommend having your ducts cleaned every three to five years, but you may need duct cleaning more often if you have a significant number of animals living in your home.
Following all five tips will ensure that you are maximizing the efficiency of your HVAC system, and your home will be comfortable and safe. If you reside in College Station, TX or the surrounding areas and want help preparing your HVAC for the colder months that lie ahead, contact Cover HVAC for professional HVAC maintenance services.
