Fall has officially arrived, bringing cooler temperatures and the first real tests of your furnace for the year. To make sure you’re ready for the colder weather, it’s a good idea to set aside a little time to look over your HVAC system before you start to rely too heavily on it. Since it’s not a best practice to just turn your heating system back on after not using it for several months, the professionals at B. Carlson Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing have created this blog post for your benefit.
Do you want to find out more about how to prepare your HVAC system for fall? Contact us online or give us a call at 505-349-4409!
How to Prepare Your HVAC System for Heating Season
- Check on your thermostat. A poorly calibrated thermostat can be a huge source of frustration through the fall and winter months, so take the time to check for accuracy and reliability before it starts getting really cold. Older thermostats that utilize mercury are often inconsistent and any number of issues can result in a system that won’t start or turn off properly—leaving your home too cold, too hot, or both in turn.
- Check your ducts. Before you turn on your furnace for the fall, it’s a good idea to check your ducts for obstructions, dust, and other problems—especially if you haven’t used them since last winter. Alternatively, you can be proactive and schedule duct cleaning to ensure optimal performance and maximum comfort and energy savings.
- Replace or clean your air filters. While you should be keeping up with your filters throughout the year, you need to pay special attention to them as you enter the cold months and start to power up your furnace again. Your system will be more effective and your air quality will be higher if you clean your air filters as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Consider having an energy assessment performed. There are dozens of ways a home can waste energy in the cold months—poor ventilation, inadequate insulation, and improperly sized HVAC systems can all waste thousands of dollars over a few years. Call us at 505-349-4409 today to learn about our insulation services in the Albuquerque, NM area!
- Check your heater for Carbon Monoxide. This is always recommended when preparing your HVAC system for fall.
HVAC Maintenance Tips
In addition to the specific steps for fall heating preparation, these general-purpose HVAC system maintenance tips should also be a part of your routine year-round:
- Always power down first. Turn off your HVAC systems before you begin cleaning, swapping filters, or performing other maintenance tasks. You don’t want to dislodge debris and send it flying into a delicate component.
- Clear out dust and moisture. While more advanced furnace maintenance is best left to a heating and cooling company, you can assess your system and get rid of any dust, excess moisture, or other debris you might encounter from time to time.
- Pay attention. If you hear a strange sound from your furnace, or smell a strange smell when the heat kicks on, pay attention to the signs and take action.
- Act early if something seems wrong. The sooner you react to a problem with your HVAC system, the less money it will cost you in the long run.
Keeping these tips in mind will help you to keep your furnace and other equipment working more efficiently and effectively for longer.
HVAC Services in Albuquerque, NM
As you know, the weather in Albuquerque can range quite drastically, sometimes within the same day—so it’s important that your air conditioner, evaporative cooler, or other HVAC system is doing its job consistently and efficiently. That way, you can make sure comfort levels are high and repair costs are as low as possible. You can do this by choosing to work with an experienced, well-trained heating and cooling company like B. Carlson.
Contact us at 505-349-4409 to find out more about preparing your HVAC system for fall, or schedule a service for your heating system in Albuquerque, NM today!
