When the coldest part of the winter season hits, you need a reliable heating system. Staying warm is not only important to your overall safety but also to the integrity of your home. Below, we’ll share some of our best tips on how to keep your heating system operating efficiently during the worst of the cold snaps.
Schedule a Professional Tune-up
One of the most important things you can do to maintain the efficiency of your heating system is to get a professional heating tune-up. This is where one of our heating technicians will thoroughly assess, clean, and lubricate all the components of your home heating system. They’ll replace any worn-out or malfunctioning components to ensure that your system is operating efficiently.
Check Your Air Filter Regularly
One component of your heating system that has a significant impact on its efficiency is its air filter. A clean air filter offers the best efficiency, while a dirty air filter can significantly reduce it. We suggest checking your air filter at least once a month and replacing it whenever necessary. You can check it by holding it up to a light source and looking through it. If you can’t see through the filter, then it’s time for a replacement.
Use a Smart Thermostat
Another great strategy for optimizing system efficiency is to invest in a smart thermostat. This thermostat can help assess your schedule and create eco-friendly thermostat settings that will reduce your system’s runtime while enhancing your comfort. For example, many smart thermostats offer geofencing technology. Using the location of your phone’s GPS, your thermostat will automatically lower the temperature when you leave and increase it when you’re on your way home.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a great tool to enhance your comfort while reducing your energy bills. We suggest installing one in your bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and other rooms throughout your home. You want to set your fan to spin in a clockwise direction on low speed. This will circulate the air that gets stuck at the top of your room back down to the floor. By recirculating the warm air that naturally rises, you can remain comfortable without having to turn up the thermostat.
Seal Air Drafts
Air drafts are one of the biggest contributors to an uncomfortable indoor environment and heating system inefficiency. We suggest checking all the exterior walls of your home for any air drafts. These are most common around light switches, outlets, door frames, and window frames. Anywhere that you notice a difference in temperature, there’s an air leak that needs to be sealed. You can seal the leaks with weather stripping, caulking, or even spray foam.
Inspect Vents and Registers
For your heating system to operate efficiently, all of your vents and registers need to be completely open and unobstructed. It’s a good idea to walk around to all of your vents and registers to ensure that they’re in their open position. Look for any obstructions, like rugs or plants, that may be blocking airflow in or out of the vent. Be sure to move these out of the way so that there’s at least 3 feet of open space surrounding the vent or register.
Clear Debris at the Condenser Unit
If you rely on a heat pump to keep you warm during the winter months, it’s important to make sure the outdoor condenser unit stays free from debris. If any obstructions like snow, leaves, or even shrubbery are next to your unit, it can restrict airflow. This will significantly reduce the efficiency of your system and make it more challenging to produce adequate heat for your home. It’s best to leave a three-foot radius around your entire condenser unit to ensure optimal airflow and system efficiency throughout the entire winter season.
Let the Direct Sunlight In
One of the best free sources of heat during the winter months is direct sunlight. We recommend opening your blinds or curtains during the daytime hours to let that natural light in. It can help to warm up the temperature inside your home, which means less strain on your heating system.
Consider Duct Sealing and Cleaning
If your heating system uses ductwork to deliver hot air to your home, the quality of that ductwork can impact your HVAC system’s efficiency. It’s important to have clean ducting with no leaks. If your existing ductwork is over 10 years old, it may have developed leaks or accumulated debris over time. We recommend professional cleaning and sealing of your ductwork. This will remove any airflow restrictions and ensure optimal delivery of hot air to all the rooms in your home.
Upgrade Aging Equipment
If your existing heating system is over 15 years old, it’s likely time for a heat pump or furnace replacement. Most furnaces have a lifespan of about 15 to 20 years, while heat pumps can last about 10 to 15 years. As your system gets up there in age, its efficiency will start to drop off, and you’ll notice uneven heating throughout your home. It’s best to upgrade so that you can capitalize on all the energy savings that newer systems provide. You can even opt for purchasing a high-efficiency furnace or a heat pump that can further optimize your energy savings for decades to come.
Upgrade Your Insulation
If your insulation is over 20 years old, it’s likely you are due for an upgrade. If your home is poorly insulated, it will allow more of the heat inside to escape through your walls to the outdoors. We recommend upgrading your insulation to increase its thermal resistance. Aim to at least meet or exceed the recommended insulation R-value listed in your local area’s building code.
Always Get Prompt Repair Services
Most heating system problems happen when extreme temperatures arrive. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your heating system for anything out of the norm. Any problems, even small ones like an odd noise or a weird smell, can indicate an underlying problem with your unit. We recommend calling for repair service as soon as you notice an issue. The sooner we can assess your unit, the less damage it’s likely to incur. Continuing to run a unit that has an issue could not only lead to a full system breakdown but also cause inefficient system operation.
Consider a Whole-Home Humidifier
When the cold winter weather settles in, the air can get overly dry. When there are low humidity conditions, heat doesn’t stay in the air for very long. This requires your heating system to work overtime to keep you feeling comfortable. One of the best things you can do to capitalize on the heat production of your unit is to ensure an optimal indoor humidity level of between 30% and 50%. A whole-home humidification system is a great way to control this humidity, so you can feel more comfortable without your heating system running overtime.
Expert HVAC Maintenance Service
Landen Heating and Cooling offers expert HVAC maintenance services in Zebulon, NC. We can also assist with all your HVAC repair, replacement, and new installation needs. Just call our office today to book an appointment with one of our helpful technicians.
