Autumn might be the loveliest time of year in our area. But don’t get so caught up in enjoying the weather that you forget what’s coming! You don’t want to be hit by winter when you haven’t gotten ready. One thing that really requires your attention during the fall is your HVAC system. Follow this handy HVAC maintenance checklist to make winter prep easy!
Step 1: Consider Your Current Needs
Has your air conditioner been behaving oddly? Do you think it might need repair? It’s definitely better to do that now than to put it off. If the system sits in disrepair all winter, the repairs it needs could end up bigger and more expensive to complete.
How are your ducts doing? Did you know that in the average American home, about 30% of heated and cooled air is lost due to leakage from damaged and deteriorating ducts? You don’t want to spend the winter paying that much extra for heat! It’s a perfect time of year to have your ducts inspected and, if necessary, repaired.
Step 2: Shut Down Your Air Conditioner Completely
Did you know that your air conditioner isn’t simply controlled by the thermostat? It has its own on-and-off switch, and when you won’t be using it for months, you should shut it down completely. This will help avoid potential electrical issues. There’s a switch near the outdoor unit, in a box. Simply locate it and switch it off!
Step 3: Get Things Clean
That outdoor unit sits there accepting whatever mess and debris the world throws at it. Get it nice and clean now that the long summer of hard work is finished! Clear away any plant matter, lawn clippings, or leaves from the unit. Give it a gentle hose-down to remove dust and dirt. Maintenance in spring will be much easier if the air conditioner doesn’t spend the winter covered in mess.
Step 4: Keep Things Clean
But more things will keep flying through the air, from bugs to windblown tree limbs, making a mess of the outdoor unit again! Keep it safe and clean by using a winterizing cover, available at home goods stores, or creating your own cover with a tarp or heavy plastic sheeting. Just make sure it’s thoroughly dry after the washing before you close it up so you won’t end up with mildew.
Step 5: Get Ready for Heating
Now that your air conditioner is completely taken care of, turn your attention to your heating system. Heating maintenance is necessary for a variety of reasons. The topmost one is safety: whether your furnace is electric or gas-burning, it poses hazards if it is in poor condition. Avoid electric shock, fire, gas leaks, and carbon monoxide by having professional maintenance done!
Other benefits of maintenance include improved efficiency, better heat circulation for even warmth, an 85% reduction in repair needs, and even a system that keeps you warm for as much as twice as many winters! Get all these benefits by scheduling HVAC maintenance in Washington, DC right away.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment or ask any questions you have about preparing your HVAC system for winter.