Hire a Professional HVAC Technician
Your HVAC units need to be reliable and efficient. One of the best preventative maintenance tips is to hire an HVAC contractor. Each fall, you should schedule an appointment with your HVAC professional. As part of their annual service, your technician will look to fix small issues, so they do not create costly and unexpected repairs. No one wants their heating system to stop working during a cold winter’s night!Clean your Home’s Air Ducts
Another area to ask for assistance from your professional HVAC technician is with air duct cleaning. Some providers will perform this service; others can help you find a professional air duct cleaner. It is important to have your vents thoroughly cleaned before the start of the winter season. Through the previous winter and summer, dust, pet dander, pollen, and other air particles have accumulated in your ductwork. Your home’s air quality will improve after the cleaning.Change your Air Filters
Complementing your clean air ducts should be new air filters. Changing your air filters on a regular basis also will help with your home’s air quality and the efficiency of your HVAC system. With use, filters become clogged with air particles. Replacing the used filters with new ones should be done at the beginning of the winter season.Check Smoke & CO Detectors
All homes should have CO and smoke detectors. Both safety alerts save lives. Annually, be sure to replace their batteries. Monthly, check that your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working. In the winter, windows are closed, and more time is spent indoors; this makes it essential to have safety systems that work.Inspect for Unobstructed Air Flow
HVAC systems have vents and registers to help circulate warm air throughout your home. Before you adjust your thermostat for the winter season, go through your home and inspect your vents and registers. Remove anything that is obstructing the flow of air. While you are checking for household items that are blocking the vents, inspect the air registers in all the rooms of your home. Grab your vacuum with the brush attachment and clean all the dust that has gathered over time. A final step of your pre-winter cleaning is checking the area around your furnace. There should be at least ten to fifteen feet of clearance around your heating unit, so air can circulate easily. Do not store any flammable items in that space.
