Using Your Heating And Air Conditioning Systems Throughout The Year
It’s easy to take your heating and air conditioning for granted no matter what time of the year it is. Whether it is heating your home or keeping it cool, you use the same exact system to control the temperature inside. This means that both the heater and air conditioner are at risk when the outside air starts to cool off. Particularly in the winter, when temperatures get below freezing, you have to pay attention to how your heater is running in order to make sure there aren’t any issues that begin to develop. If you allow them to go unnoticed, it’s easy for problems to become major catastrophes you only discover in the springtime when you turn on the air conditioner. To prevent this issue from becoming a reality, here are a few things to watch out for this winter
Anything Out Of The Ordinary
First and foremost, you shouldn’t notice anything about your heating and air conditioning when it is working perfectly. All the different components of your HVAC system, from the pipes, heaters, and electrical equipment should operate under the radar. If you ever hear or notice anything more than a subtle hum coming from the basement, attics, or walls of your home, it’s time to take action. While these things aren’t necessarily a sign that there is an issue, they’re the type of symptom you shouldn’t ignore if you want to catch a problem before it becomes a catastrophe. Anything that ever seems out of the ordinary should be checked out by a professional immediately if you don’t have the skills and experience to do it yourself. When in doubt, play it safe.
Common Operation
Perfectly working heating and air conditioning should be responsive on a daily basis. This means you should be able to change the temperature any time of the day and begin to notice that change almost immediately. If it takes some time for your home to heat up or cool down, especially around the vents in each room, this may be a sign the system is starting to become sluggish or has developed an issue. Keep in mind that extremely cold days in winter can make it harder for the heater to drastically change the inside temperature all at once. On these days, give the heater an hour to work its magic before making any decisions. Keep an eye on the thermostat to know objectively what kind of temperature change your heater is producing.
Keeping An Eye On The Monthly Bills
One way to know if you have an issue is to compare your monthly utility bills. If your winter bills seem higher than previous winter months, there may be something wrong. When a heating and air-conditioning system continues to work but has developed an issue, it may start to draw more power in order to function correctly. In general, look out for any kind of unexpected spikes in your utility bills related to your heating and air conditioning. You can do a little research online or consult with your utility company to determine whether these spikes are to be expected or not. Keep an eye on the outside temperatures as well. Unexpected and uncommon temperature drops during the winter can make your HVAC system work harder, resulting in a noticeable spike. If the spike continues for several months, especially into the spring season, something may be wrong.
Keeping Everything Working
With a vigilant eye on your heating and air conditioning, you can catch many issues before they require expensive repairs and replacements. All it takes is active awareness and some trial and error when you feel like there is a potential issue. If you’re ever unsure of a potential problem or want an experienced professional to look at it, contact a professional HVAC technician at once. These technicians know their way around a whole variety of different heating and air conditioning systems, meaning they know what works and what can go wrong almost instantly. Contact us today to see how we can help you during this winter to keep your heating and air conditioning working perfectly.