Changing from air conditioning to heating your home is important in keeping your home comfortable year-round. It might seem as simple as flipping a switch, but the truth is that there are a few essential steps to take if you want to keep both your air conditioner and your heater in good condition.
Not to mention that using the best practices for switching from air conditioning to heat can help reduce your maintenance and utility costs and lower the risk of expensive damage that needs to be repaired.
Here are the best practices you need to know about:
Clean Both Your Air Conditioner And Heater
It’s common for dust and debris to collect near your air conditioning unit and your heater. So any time you want to make a switch between them, you should also make sure to clean the area.
For the exterior compressor on your air conditioner, clean dirt and debris from the fins (a garden hose can help). You should also wipe down the fan assembly and clear any dust or debris from surrounding areas.
Vacuum All Heat Registers
Heat registers, which you may call vents, also tend to collect dust over time. Cleaning them out now can help prevent the musty smell when you first turn on your heater for the winter. Plus, it’s just good maintenance and helps to keep your home’s air quality higher.
Replace The Air Filter
Your heater also works to filter the air in your home, and having a good filter can make a big difference in how much dust lingers in your home and reduce the amount of other dirt and particles in the air.
You should always start the winter with a new air filter on your heater. It’s also recommended to replace the filters every 30-60 days of use. Or, if you have a permanent filter, you will need to remove and clean it every 30-60 days instead.
If you have a lot of pets, you might need to replace the air filters more often because of loose fur and other pet debris in the air.
Consider Getting A Professional Tune-Up
All of the appliances in your home can benefit from at least occasional maintenance from a professional. Your heater is no exception and is one of the most important appliances to take care of.
A poorly maintained heater won’t just be less effective than a well-maintained one; it can also become a fire hazard.
Getting a professional tune-up each winter can help ensure your heater is operating at peak efficiency, can help prevent breakdowns that could leave you shivering while you wait for a repair, and generally enables you to avoid surprises.
Also, if your home heater is still under warranty, regular maintenance is likely a required part of your warranty contract. You may void your warranty if you don’t get maintenance on the required schedule (or more frequently). Not to mention that failure to keep up with maintenance requirements can also make it much more likely that you’ll need that warranty protection!
Don’t Know How To Do Heater Maintenance Yourself?
Stephens is here to help. Contact us to schedule an appointment today to begin the process and receive a free estimate.