December 9, 2022
The holiday season can bring joy to young and old, but it can also be a stressful time of juggling schedules, houseguests, and large family meals, as well as cold and unpredictable weather. The last thing you need is a heating fiasco plopped right in the middle of it all! Here are the HVAC tips for winter you’ll need to keep your Hampton Roads-area home comfortable and efficient through the holiday season.
Check Your Thermostat
The very first thing is to make sure the controls for your heating system are working properly. Even a brand-new furnace could be used inefficiently if the thermostat is sending the wrong signals! If your thermostat runs on batteries, ensure they are fresh, and test to make sure the furnace turns on when you switch to “heat” mode. If you are dealing with issues like constant adjustments to your thermostat, an indoor temperature that doesn’t match the thermostat setting, or a furnace that is constantly running, make sure your thermostat is not to blame before scheduling heating repairs!
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
Setting a thermostat to a temperature that satisfies your comfort needs and your energy use preferences is a balancing act, and knowing how to find the most efficient setting for your thermostat when you are not at home can be a guessing game. Upgrading to a smart thermostat takes the guesswork out of the equation.
Smart thermostats adjust to your habits, like how you like the temperature a little cooler at night, or times of the week when you are regularly out of the house and don’t need your heating system. This will save you on your energy bills year-round, while also giving you access to your heating and cooling controls from anywhere you can get a cell phone signal.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
If you are really looking to avoid an HVAC emergency while your house is filled with friends and family visiting for the holidays, schedule a professional maintenance visit and tune up with an HVAC expert. This is perhaps the number one HVAC tip for homeowners looking for tricks to keep their houses warm in the winter. When you schedule HVAC maintenance with the experts at Russell’s Heating Cooling Plumbing & Electric, we will perform a precision tune up of your equipment that includes:
Cleaning indoor coils with specialty cleaner
Cleaning outdoor condenser coils with specialty cleaner
Flushing drainlines
Testing and monitoring refrigerant levels
Installing drain tablet to reduce buildup of algae
Testing and monitoring capacitors
Testing and monitoring starting capabilities
Check out and tighten electrical connections
Testing defrost cycle on heat pumps
Check safeties
Inspecting the fuel pipe
Measuring amp draw
Measuring electrical current
Testing backup electrical heat
Checking the blower wheel
Lubricating moving parts
Regular maintenance from an HVAC professional will address any necessary furnace repairs before they cause further damage that would lead to a furnace breakdown. Maintenance also keeps your system running at peak efficiency, and will flag when it is time to install a new furnace before you find yourself in a frustrating and expensive furnace replacement situation.
Change Your Air Filters & Clean Your Vents
During the hot and humid Virginia summer, many homeowners are less careful about closing their doors and windows. This can allow a large number of particles like pollen, dust, dirt, pet hair and dander, and other indoor air contaminants to enter and accumulate in your home. Make sure to replace your air filters, then clean and check your air vents for any excessive dust buildup.
Keep Couch Surfers and Poolhouse Guests Warm with a Mini Split
Are there areas of your home that are not included in the original ductwork, or certain rooms that are hard to keep warm in the winter? If you have houseguests that are staying in one of these areas, mini split heat pump installation can help keep them comfortable for many holiday seasons to come. Mini split heat pumps, also known as ductless mini splits, can be installed as a supplemental heating and cooling system, and are installed directly in the room that needs the extra heating and cooling power.
