The average heating and cooling system can last anywhere from 12 to 17 years. However, there are ways that you can increase the lifespan of your HVAC system.
One of these is to winterize your home as you start preparing for the changing seasons.
By preparing for winter, you can minimize the wear and tear on your HVAC system and ensure that it lasts longer.
Here are 5 simple HVAC winterization tips to follow in your Lowcountry home this year.
1. Change Air Filters
When you are winterizing your HVAC system, one of the most important HVAC tips to follow is to change your air filters. HVAC systems use air filters to keep dust, dirt, and other types of debris out of your air.
However, as they collect this debris, your HVAC becomes less efficient and may not work as well. It can also affect your indoor air quality if you do not regularly change your air filters.
It is recommended that you replace or clean your air filter regularly, so doing this when the season changes is an easy way to stay on top of this.
To make sure your air is clean and that your HVAC is running efficiently, you need to change your air filters as the season changes.
2. Clean Your Furnace & Air Vents
Next, you need to clean your furnace, air vents, and inspect your ducts. Typically, you can get the interior of your furnace cleaned in a regular HVAC tune-up.
However, it is also important that you keep the areas around your furnace clean. This is because small particles like dirt and dust can get sucked into the furnace and your air vents. If you ever turn on your heater and notice a burning smell, it could be due to built-up dust and debris.
It is also important to keep the area surrounding your furnace clear of any flammable items. Never lean items up against your furnace when it is in use.
Next, you need to make sure all of your vents are fully opened and clean. If there is any furniture covering your vents, you need to move them to make sure your vents are unobstructed. During this inspection, you can clean the built-up dirt and dust in your air vents and register covers.
This will prevent airflow from being restricted and will also improve the air quality in your home.
Lastly, you should inspect your ductwork to ensure that there are no gaps that can lead to heat loss and inefficient heating.
If you are unsure of how to inspect your ducts, you can hire a professional to inspect your ducts for leaks. They can also seal these leaks to make your HVAC system run more smoothly during the winter.
3. Winterize Outdoor HVAC Equipment
Another important tip to prepare your HVAC system for winter is to winterize your outdoor unit. First, you need to clean out the exterior unit. This includes removing leaves, dirt, and other debris that has stuck to the fins.
You should also trim back your bushes, trees, and grass to make sure there is nothing that could damage your outdoor HVAC unit during the winter.
While it isn’t necessary to cover your HVAC system, investing in an HVAC cover can protect your system from rust, ice, and other wear and tear during the winter months.
Finally, you need to turn the exterior air conditioning unit off to make sure you do not accidentally use the system during the winter.
4. Test Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
Something else that is an important tip to follow as you prepare your HVAC system for the winter is to test your safety devices, like your carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors. These detectors are something that should be in every home to make sure you are protected during the heating season.
It is also a good rule to replace your batteries twice a year to make sure they are always working.
By testing each of these safety features, you can better protect your home and family from accidents while your heater is running.
5. Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up
Finally, you need to schedule a furnace tune-up or maintenance with a professional HVAC company.
They will provide all the additional care you need for your furnace and can also provide any additional repairs that you require.
They can also help you identify ways to make your furnace more efficient as you begin to use it more frequently. By getting a furnace tune-up with a professional HVAC company, you can prevent malfunctions in your system from causing worse problems down the line.
Get Help With Other HVAC Tips
Winterizing your HVAC system is vital to maintaining your heater and air conditioner. By following each of these HVAC tips, you can prepare your system for changing seasons.
When you need HVAC maintenance, it is best to leave it to the professionals to make sure everything is done right. If you are looking for help winterizing your home and HVAC in Charleston, Carolina Climate Control can help!
Our team can make sure your heater is ready for the winter. Contact us to learn about HVAC winterization and get a free quote for our services.
