Is your heating system ready for winter? Terre Haute residents are thoroughly acquainted with winter’s wrath. Bitter temperatures mean residential heating systems must be ready to perform. At Medcalf Heating & Cooling, we know that having a furnace that works well all season is important, not only for warmth but also to avoid emergency heating repairs and high energy bills. Here are some of our best heating maintenance tips to help you prepare your heating system for winter.
1. Test the Furnace Before the Cold Weather Arrives
One of the best ways to prepare for winter is to make sure your furnace turns on and there aren’t any obvious problems. Adjust the thermostat to the heat setting on a cooler day and let the furnace run for a bit. Do you notice any problems? Is the furnace making any weird sounds? Does it turn on and off at regular intervals? If anything stands out as not quite right, make an appointment with an HVAC specialist to analyze the problem and make appropriate repairs.
2. Keep Up With Regular HVAC Filter Replacement
Most HVAC systems require regular filter replacement. Some systems have reusable filters that require cleaning, but most households use standard replacement filters. You can find these filters, relatively inexpensively, at local home improvement or hardware stores.
Replacing the filter every 30 to 90 days helps your system work better. The filter collects the allergens, dander, dirt, dust and other debris in the house. When the filter gets too full, air quality diminishes, and the system endures unnecessary stress. If you’re not sure which type of filter your heating system uses, call Medcalf Heating & Cooling for professional assistance. We’re always happy to help.
3. Have Your Air Ducts Checked
Does it feel as though your home never gets as warm as you’d like it to? If you had this problem last winter, the issue could be leaky air ducts. The air ducts carry heat from the furnace to the registers and vents throughout the home. Poorly sealed air ducts lead to inefficient heating and waste energy. Resealing air ducts will improve heating performance.
It’s also a good idea to have your home’s air ducts cleaned. Although air filters catch most allergens, dust and debris in the house, some particles get past the filter and end up in the ductwork. Ducts with excessive buildup make it difficult for air to pass through. Consequently, your home might not heat as well. Dirty ducts make the air dirtier too. Ask your local HVAC technician from Medcalf Heating & Cooling for duct cleaning schedule recommendations.
4. Make Sure the Ventilation System Isn’t Blocked
Most Terre Haute households have heating systems that vent out a chimney. You’ll notice these vents on your roof. It’s not uncommon for birds and other wildlife to build nests in them. It’s also not unusual for sticks, leaves and other debris to get stuck in the vents. A blocked ventilation system is dangerous. You might not notice a problem with your heating, but if the system can’t vent properly, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning rises.
5. Schedule Professional Heating Maintenance Service
Homeowners have a lot on their plates as it is. Why add one more thing? Investing in an annual maintenance package with Medcalf Heating & Cooling ensures worry-free heating all winter. A lot of heating issues aren’t easily noticed by the average person. They can sneak up on you and leave you shivering without heat at three in the morning. When you have your heating system professionally inspected by a dependable and highly reputable company like Medcalf Heating & Cooling, you have confidence that any issues are caught early and addressed as soon as possible.
Here are some of the things our HVAC technicians do as part of an average maintenance service:
- Inspect the blower belt
- Lubricate all moving parts
- Tighten electrical connections
- Ensure the thermostat is working
- Check gas lines for leaks and poor connections
- Check to make sure the burner is clean and free of rust
Count on Your Local Heating Professionals
Winter in Indiana isn’t avoidable, but you don’t have to struggle with inadequate heating. Get the services you need at affordable prices from a company your Terre Haute friends and neighbors know and trust. Guarantee a warm winter at home by relying on Medcalf Heating & Cooling for heating maintenance, repair and replacement. Of course, we perform the same range of services for cooling equipment, and we also handle water heaters. Our team of exceptionally talented, NATE-certified technicians is bonded and insured, and they only use EPA-certified products for maintenance and repairs. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
