Prepare the Heater For Fall
Fall is here, and that means a welcome drop in temperatures. After a long and hot summer, the refreshing fall breeze is a relief. But, inevitably, this means regular use of the heater for the first time of the season. Often when this happens, homeowners experience their first heating problems of the season. Here are a few tips to make the heater's transition to cooler temperatures easier and prevent issues.
Regular Maintenance
Fall is the perfect time for heater maintenance because it helps prepare the heater for heavy use after a long period of sitting idle, and the demand for HVAC technicians hasn’t peaked for heater repairs yet like they do in the winter. This means homeowners can get professional attention faster to help them prepare their heaters to work all fall and winter. Scheduling maintenance from a qualified professional grants benefits like:
- Lower risk of mechanical problems
- Longer unit lifespan
- Better efficiency
- Lower energy bills
- Cleaner air
- Peace of mind
Always Use Clean Air Filters
Always Use Clean Air FiltersHomeowners should change their air filters at least every three months to help keep the heating system running smoothly and improve indoor air quality. Doing so can avoid many common problems, such as dust buildup, bad smells, and decreased efficiency. Additionally, regularly changing air filters can help extend the heating system's lifespan.
During the colder months, the air inside the home tends to get stagnant. This increases the amount of dust and pollutants, leading to sinus problems. The best way to combat the issues that poor air quality can cause is to ensure fresh air filters are always in place. Changing the air filter every three months ensures that the air inside the home is constantly filtered to draw down the level of pollutants in the air and prevent them from entering the heater and causing trouble inside the unit. Homeowners can do this on the first day of every season to ensure the air filter always provides clean air to the home.
Keep an Eye on Energy Bills
A great tip to keep the heater running better and more efficiently is to monitor energy bills. Watching energy bills for spikes in usage is important because higher than normal energy bills can be a sign that there is something wrong with the heating and cooling equipment, limiting its effectiveness. It can also mean that the home suffers from a major inefficiency causing the climate control equipment to work harder.
Some tips to limit heat loss and lower energy bills this fall are:
- Smart Thermostats: These devices save energy by limiting how much the heater or air conditioner runs during the day. By using technology to learn the comings and goings of the family, the thermostat adjusts the temperature in the home automatically to lower energy usage.
- Weatherstripping: During the summer and winter, the greatest sources of inefficiency in the home are due to air infiltration around windows and doors. Installing weather stripping around doors and windows limits the heat that can escape and the amount of cold air that can enter a home, lowering utility bills.
- Curtains: Keeping curtains open in the winter is a great way to take advantage of passive heating from winter sunshine. Conversely, keeping them closed in the summer keeps additional sunlight from overheating the home.
About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating
Easco Air Conditioning and Heating have four decades of experience serving The Woodlands, TX, and the surrounding areas. They offer upfront pricing, honest recommendations, and fast turnarounds. Call them today for heater repair and maintenance in The Woodlands, TX.
