Santa’s busy with his naughty or nice list…But did you know, you’ve got a winter checklist to finish up too?
We’ve got that checklist for you right here. If you complete everything, you’ll be on the nice list for sure, and so will your HVAC system! 😉
- Consider investing in a programmable thermostat. With a smart thermostat, you can maximize your energy savings, up to 25% off your yearly heating and cooling bills! It’s so easy to forget to turn your thermostat down to around 60° when you’re gone for the day, or when you’re sleeping in your covers, and then turn it back up to 68 or 70 when you are hanging out at home. A smart thermostat will do it for you, and quite possibly pay for itself in the end!
- Even if you don’t get a smart thermostat, remember to make these temperature changes on your manual thermostat. Again, your utility bill will thank you!
- Replace your furnace filter monthly! This is especially important during the holidays when your furnace is working extra hard.
- Make sure the area around your furnace is clean. Most people know better than to store say, gas, next to the furnace, but not everyone thinks about the danger of stray papers or dried leaves near their furnace. These can absolutely cause a fire!
- Keep an ear out for “cracking” noises: Even the best furnace can run into a sensor problem, it can stop regulating basic functions which can be extremely dangerous. For example, if the furnace sensor controlling gas pressure stops working, and the pressure becomes too high, then your heat exchanger will get too hot and metal will expand. If the metal cracks or breaks, this can cause a gas leak, a gas fumes leak, or both. But you may be able to hear the metal expanding or smell noxious fumes coming from your furnace. Either way, call a pro immediately!
- And bumping noises: The idea of the metal inside your furnace cracking is scary enough…but if you hear a BUMPING noise, it’s probably not Santa coming down the chimney. Your fan or motor belt inside your furnace could be malfunctioning.
- And hissing noises: these could mean that your air filter wasn’t put in tightly enough!
(Yes, it’s great that your furnace makes you feel so warm and cozy during the holidays, but unfortunately, there are just so many things to watch out for, too!)
- You can also make sure you stay warm and cozy by closing your curtains at night to keep heat in, and leaving them open in the day to maximize sunlight.
- Seal air leaks / weatherstrip doors and windows. This is something you can do on your own!
- One thing you can’t do on your own, however, is a complete routine check-up. You should have annual maintenance done on your system to ensure that everything is in clean, safe, working order. After all, what’s more important than the comfort and safety of your loved ones this time of year?
