Having a functional heater is essential to protecting your Browns Summit, NC home. Maintaining an acceptably high indoor temperature will prevent your pipes from freezing when the mercury drops. It will also protect building residents from dangerous temperature-related health issues such as hypothermia and more. To avoid unexpected breakdowns and extended heating emergencies, the following are six tips to keep your heater running all winter long.

1. Pre-Season Furnace Maintenance Schedule

Pre-season furnace tune-ups provide a multitude of benefits. They drive heaters for efficiency, eliminate accumulations of dust and other debris, and ensure uniform and consistent performance. With annual heater upgrade services, you can look forward to modest and manageable energy bills and greater indoor comfort. Annual tune-ups also extend the life of furnaces and keep homeowners in compliance with the terms of their HVAC manufacturer’s warranties.

During the annual maintenance service, our technicians at Custom Air Inc. look for loose connections, worn components, and other signs of existing or developing issues. These visits are excellent opportunities for our team to catch and correct minor problems early on. We also thoroughly test home heating systems, verify the functionality and safety of furnace exhausts, and check the integrity of HVAC ducts. Cumulatively, these efforts reduce stress on the HVAC system and limit furnace usage.

2. Set your thermostat a little lower than you normally would

Anything you do to minimize the stress on your heating system can help prevent problems like overheating and accelerated wear. One easy way to do this is by setting your thermostat just two or three degrees lower than it would normally be. This reduces the amount of work your heater has to do during the cooling season. It will also lower your home energy bills.

It is also a good idea to consider installing a smart or programmable thermostat. With these devices, homeowners can schedule temperature adjustments to reflect changes in their schedules. In this way, the ovens are not turning on and using energy when no one is present to enjoy the heat they provide.

3. Insulate Your HVAC Air Ducts

Ducted HVAC systems lose between 20% and 40% of the energy that heaters and air conditioners consume due to heat loss and heat gain. If you have uninsulated ducts around your house, this loss can be much higher. Before winter arrives, have your HVAC ducts insulated by professionals. You should also carry them inspected and sealed. If you haven’t done it in a while, you can also schedule professional air duct cleaning and have your HVAC system air balanced for better and more efficient air delivery.

4. Stay on top of Air Filter Changes

Among the most common causes of mid-winter heater failures are dirty air filters. These simple and relatively inexpensive components have a big impact on the health of your heating equipment. Thick accumulations of dirt, hair, lint, and other debris can inhibit airflow throughout your entire HVAC system. A dirty air filter can cause your furnace to short cycle, overheat or shut down completely. If you run your furnace with a dirty filter for too long, you can also damage the heat exchanger. You should inspect your furnace filter monthly and replace it every 30 to 60 days.

5. Be alert for Changes in Humidity

In addition to maintaining a comfortable and balanced temperature inside, you must also maintain a balanced humidity. Humidity levels for the interior of your home should never fall below 40% or rise above 60%.

Excess humidity makes your home feel much warmer than it really is. It will also set the stage for the growth of mold and mildew and negatively affect your indoor air quality. Lower than normal humidity will make your indoor air dry and your living space feel much colder than its actual temperature. This can lead to higher thermostat settings, longer run times, and more stress on your heater. To make it easy to stay up to date with indoor humidity levels, many smart thermostats offer digital humidity monitoring.

6. Do not ignore the symptoms of developing problems

Never neglect or delay essential heater repairs. Heater issues that start small and localized will eventually impact other components and functions of the HVAC system. Watch for signs of heater problems such as:

• Cold air comes from your HVAC air vents
• Sudden and significant increases in your home energy bill
• Strange or louder sounds than normal
• Bad furnace or ductwork odors
• Poor airflow

Scheduling repairs right away will minimize your risk of having minor problems lead to total equipment failure.

Since 1998, we have been proudly serving the Summit Browns, NC area. We offer heater, air conditioner, and heat pump installation, maintenance and repairs. Our customers can also turn to us for duct cleaning, indoor air quality service, crawlspace encapsulation, and geothermal heating systems. To schedule an appointment, contact us at Custom Air Inc. today.