5 HVAC Maintenance Tips for Winter
The winters in Minnesota can get awfully cold, and they can feel even colder when you get that first big heating bill. Unfortunately, they can also take their toll on your heating and cooling system. However, with a bit of attention to regular maintenance, you’ll see lower heating bills and experience a more comfortable home all winter.
Keeping up with minor maintenance when needed is the key to avoiding expensive repairs down the road. To schedule your next furnace inspection, give us a call today!
Here are the top HVAC maintenance tips for your home this winter.
1. Replace or Clean Your Air Filter
One of the most important things you can do for your HVAC system and the air quality inside your home is to replace your air filter regularly. When your air filters fill up with dust, dirt, and debris, air can’t flow through easily, so your system must work much harder to keep up. Unfortunately, this can cause your furnace to wear out sooner than expected.
During the winter months, it’s even more important to replace your air filter regularly to clear out all of the allergens and microbes in your home’s ventilation system. For best results, replace your filter at least every 90 days.
If you have a big family or pets, you’ll want to change your air filter as frequently as once a month, especially during the winter months. Doing so is another way to lower and stabilize monthly energy bills.
2. Check the Batteries in Your Home’s Carbon Monoxide Detectors
With your furnace running around the clock during the winter months, it’s essential to check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors regularly. The chance of a carbon monoxide leak associated with central heating is extremely rare, especially if your system is functioning correctly. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Use your phone’s calendar feature to schedule monthly carbon monoxide detector checks, and you’ll never have to worry about it. It is only a few minutes per month, but it can save both energy and lives in the long term.
3. Check Your Home’s Thermostat
After your air conditioner has been packed away and it is time for the heater to do its job, you will still need a functional thermostat. Your thermostat should have fresh batteries at the start of the season, set for winter needs.
It is best to set your thermostat to cooler temperatures at night or while you’re away to save on energy costs. However, the temperatures should never be cold or chilly – this could lead to frozen or burst pipes.
4. Check Your Air Vents
Another way to lessen your long term HVAC costs is to clean the air vents regularly. When you vacuum your home, you can also vacuum the air vents.
Although a professional cleaning is much more effective, a simple cleaning every time you vacuum helps prevent blockage and indoor air quality issues over time. Clean air vents also help maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home.
Routine air vent cleaning takes care of the grit and grime that inevitably builds up in your home’s duct system. When you want to ensure that your family is warm this winter and keep your energy bills stable, schedule a professional air vent cleaning with your annual HVAC maintenance program.
5. Schedule Annual HVAC Maintenance
With regular HVAC maintenance inspections, a technician can clean your furnace and give it a tune-up while checking everything to make sure it’s functioning at maximum efficiency. We can identify any potential problems and address them early, extending the lifespan of your furnace.
Other benefits of routine HVAC maintenance include lower energy bills, improved indoor air quality for your home, and a healthier, safer environment for your family.
Schedule Your Winter Furnace Inspection
Are you spending more than you should be on your monthly energy costs? Is your home cold in some spots, even when running your heater constantly? If so, it’s time to schedule a furnace inspection from Budget Exteriors. To schedule yours, call us at 952-887-1613 or contact us online.