Winter can be a taxing time of year for your HVAC system. As temperatures drop, your HVAC unit has to work harder to warm your home. However, you’ll need to prioritize preventative maintenance to ensure your system works efficiently and disperses the heat your home needs.
At ACS, we offer top-quality residential and commercial maintenance for the Georgians who need it most. With decades of industry experience, our HVAC specialists can prepare your system for unpredictable winter temperatures. Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive HVAC maintenance checklist to maintain your system’s performance all winter long.
Replace Your Air Filter
One of the most age-old HVAC maintenance tips is regularly replacing your system’s air filter. This straightforward task is simple yet effective and can be easily implemented by home and business owners across Georgia and beyond. Your air filter protects your airflow from harmful pollutants and impurities. However, if your filter is left unmonitored, it can quickly collect dust, debris, and other contaminants that can compromise indoor air quality. At ACS, our air specialists recommend replacing air filters every 30 to 90 days to ensure your space receives a clean, warm air flow throughout the winter. Pet owners and people with severe allergies may benefit from changing their air filters more frequently.
Check Your Air Vents
Like your air filters, air vents play a crucial role in sustaining your system through the winter. Air vents are also easily susceptible to dirt and dust buildup when overlooked, resulting in costly HVAC repairs from system blockages and poor indoor air quality. If you find a significant blockage in your air vents, you can take matters into your own hands by vacuuming them with a hose attachment or schedule a professional vent cleaning from your local air specialist.
In addition to cleaning air vents, you should also pay attention to your vent’s placement. When preparing for winter temperatures, walk through your home to ensure no furniture is blocking your vents. Blockages could cause your system to work unnecessarily harder, causing your bills to skyrocket and your system’s efficiency to drop.
Consider More Insulation
Insulation should be a top priority on your HVAC winter maintenance checklist. Proper insulation ensures that your space stays warm throughout the cold winter months. By containing warm air and keeping cold air outside of your home, home insulation lessens the burden on your HVAC system, reduces heating costs, and makes it easier to sustain your home’s temperature all season long. To determine whether your insulation is sufficient, examine your floor joists. If your insulation is enough to obstruct the view of the floor joists, you’re in good shape for the winter. If this isn’t the case, consult with your local HVAC specialist about adding more insulation to your attic.
Reprogram Thermostat
Your thermostat can make-or-break your HVAC system’s winter performance. As temperatures decrease, you should reprogram your thermostat and optimize settings for when you are home. Then, during the night and times when the house is vacant, you can lower your thermostat settings to avoid overworking your HVAC system and increasing energy bills. One way to ensure you optimize your thermostat settings is by installing a programmable thermostat. These high-tech thermostats change your temperature automatically based on your daily temperature preferences and save you the hassle of manually adjusting your thermostat as the seasons change.
Schedule Professional HVAC Maintenance
The final component to check off your winter HVAC maintenance checklist is a visit from your local HVAC specialist. Home and business owners should schedule yearly heating maintenance to prepare their space for the winter. An experienced HVAC technician can detect critical signs of wear and tear in your system and equip you with the tools and knowledge to keep it running efficiently. Preferably, professional maintenance should take place right before winter begins to catch minor repairs needed before they worsen in the winter.
HVAC Heating and Cooling from ACS
If you’re searching for HVAC heating services this winter, put your trust in ACS. Our HVAC-certified technicians offer top-quality workmanship and lasting HVAC solutions for homes and businesses of all sizes. Contact our team today for premium heating repair and installation in Covington, Milledgeville, and surrounding areas.
