Fall weather is here and before we know it, winter will arrive. Now that colder temperatures are here to stay for a while, it’s important to prepare – your heating system and your home. Here are some important things to remember.
#1: Change or clean your air filters.
Dirty or clogged air filters will decrease energy efficiency and cause your heating system to work harder than necessary. So, on a sunny fall day, make time to clean your air filters or replace them with new ones. We recommend filter replacement every other month. Or you can change them monthly if you have pets or smoke in the home. Clean filters translate to cleaner indoor air quality and will also help prolong the life of your system.
#2: Schedule annual maintenance.
Cars need tune-ups, transmission service, and oil changes. Our bodies even need routine checks from the doctor. The same goes for your residential heating system. Our licensed experts at Specialty Heating and Cooling will tune up your system making sure all internal and external components are working together to supply warm air to your home this fall and winter. We’ll also run an energy efficiency check, and make sure your filters are cleaned or replaced. If we notice any potential problems, we’ll fix them as quickly as we can. Regular HVAC maintenance truly helps keep your system running longer and gives you peace of mind knowing it’s running reliably.
#3: Consider a programmable thermostat.
We love the benefits of having a programmable thermostat installed. These products work alongside almost any existing furnace system. Here are some of the benefits of a programmable thermostat:
- Energy savings: they help reduce your energy consumption because you can set your thermostat to automatically adjust according to your unique schedule. For example, program it to turn down while you’re away from home or while you’re sleeping, and then turn back up when you’re home or awake.
- Longer lifespan for your heating system: If your heating system isn’t running as often, it’ll last longer!
- Easy to use: You can program the thermostat while you’re at home – or even while you’re away! Because many of them utilize Wi-Fi technology, you can use them alongside your existing smart systems to adjust as you need, from wherever you are.
#4: Secure the outdoor unit.
The exterior unit of your heating system is built to withstand all sorts of different Pacific Northwest weather. However, it’s important to check around the exterior once the fall and winter months arrive. Fallen leaves, twigs, grass, or other debris can accumulate during wet or windy days, and all of those products need to be cleared away from the unit regularly. Ensure there is nothing piled on top of or around the unit, as this could get inside the unit and cause damage to the internal parts. It can also mess with energy efficiency, spurring the unit to work harder and exert more energy than necessary.
Prepare now for the next several months of cold weather! Our team at Specialty Heating and Cooling can help, too. Whether it’s a completely new furnace system that you need, a routine tune-up on an existing machine, or you have questions about installing a new programmable thermostat, we’re here! We look forward to helping you stay comfortable all season long. Call us today!
