The busiest time of the year for HVAC contractors is during the fall and winter. It only makes sense, right? People don’t use their heating units during the summer so they only find out that something is actually wrong when the cold days are here.
But you don’t have to wait for the nights to be freezing before you hire experts to take a closer look at your HVAC. Below are just some tips on how to keep your heating and cooling equipment in tip-top shape so your winter nights stay warm.
Check the outdoor fan – Just look for obvious dirt and grime, as well as trash and other debris, which can affect the performance of the blades. There are DIY instructional videos that you can follow to clean the fan. But if it’s not turning on, it could be due to the capacitor, the contactor switch, a loose belt, burned out motor or a blocked air filter. Call in the experts to fix the problem.
Clear vents of obstructions – Any obstruction in the furnace vents should be properly cleaned and cleared. A blocked intake or exhaust could result in damage to the heat exchanger, which may cause a carbon monoxide leak. If you are blocking the vent leading to an unused room, take it down immediately.
Check for nicks on the electrical wiring – Rodents and insects might have chewed through the rubber insulator in the wiring system of your HVAC, which can cause an electrical short. Also, look for blackened spots around the electrical outlet. Don’t ever attempt to fix this on your own. Instead, seek help from professionals.
Ensure there’s no leak in the house – You will be saving a lot in your electrical bill costs if you plug the leaks in your house to ensure that warm air stays in.
Check filters and change them regularly – A clogged filter can cause your system to run erratically or not at all. Make sure that you change filters out on a regular schedule to give your HVAC system the chance it needs to run efficiently and heat your home. Clogged filters can be a huge drain on your system or they can also cause you to have bad indoor air. Be sure that you check the filters and change them every 30-60 days depending on the type of filter you install.
However, you can only do so much with your furnace or boiler. Your heating and cooling equipment should undergo maintenance at least once or twice a year, depending on the age of the unit. A proper tune-up should be made even before fall so you can save money on the prices because it’s considered as an off-peak in the industry.
If you think that there is a much larger problem, don’t hesitate to call TS Heat & Air at (405) 384-7111 immediately. With just one call, we will be at your doorstep to help you make sure your HVAC system is ready for the winter months ahead.
