With autumn well underway and winter knocking on our doors, make preparations to ensure your home stays well-heated this winter.
Having your furnace fail during winter months in St. Louis is not something you want to have happen. Fortunately, there are things you can do to avoid that and to prepare for needing the extra heat.
Keeping your HVAC system functioning and saving money on repairs hinges greatly on how much preventative maintenance you have done. Running the heat all the time is going to tax the system. So a little preparation can prevent the system from going out at an inopportune moment. With the right preventative maintenance, no matter what type of heating system you use – electric, oil, propane, heat pump, natural gas – you can keep it going strong all winter long.
Keep the Furnace Well Maintained
Proper maintenance of the HVAC system before the start of the cold weather season is among the most important things that you can do to reduce your heating expenses. Heating systems filled with dust and dirt require more energy to push warm air across the clogged debris. Setting up an annual maintenance schedule with a St. Louis HVAC company ensures that all issues are managed before it becomes necessary to repair or replace the entire heating unit.
Types of HVAC Maintenance
At Engineered Solutions Heating and Air Conditioning, we can perform maintenance on any type of heating system. Here is a list of some of the things that can be done to make sure your heating system is reliable all winter long.
Natural Gas Furnace:
- Replace the air filters.
- Check gas pressure and piping for leaks and support.
- Inspect the blower. Blower belts should be replaced once a year.
- Inspect the condition of the blower bearings and lubricate, and check the blower motor and lubricate.
- Do a basic brush-clean of the heating elements and/or the heat exchanger.
- Test the operation of the heating system.
- Check the condition of the combustion blower.
- Check the pilot or ignition system.
- Check the heat exchanger.
- Check the thermostat and all operating controls.
- Tighten all electrical connections.
- Clean and check all grounded connections.
- Test by running through two complete heating cycles.
- Verify that the economizer dampers are set and operational.
Heat pumps:
- Heat pumps
- Replace air filters.
- Make sure the thermostat is operating well.
Oil Heating:
- Replace the air filters, and check the thermostat and economizer operation.
- Replace the oil filter.
- Check for water in the tank.
- Replace the nozzle.
- Check the oil pump pressure.
- Adjust the combustion air.
- Check the heat exchanger.
- Check the oil pre-heater, if there is one installed.
- Check the operating and safety controls.
Just as you need regular maintenance performed on your car, so too regular maintenance of your furnace is vital to its performance. Not only will this keep your system running all winter long, but it will ensure that it is running as efficiently as possible.
Heating Your Home This Winter Without Breaking Your Budget
Invest In an Energy Efficient HVAC System
Consider replacing your HVAC system if it is at least ten years old. An energy-efficient HVAC system is the best choice if you are looking for a suitable replacement for the existing HVAC system in your home. With the latest developments in technology in the last ten years, making an investment in an energy-efficient heat pump or furnace is practical since it will allow you to save on heating expenses over the next few years.
Sealing All Gaps and Leaks
Although you may have used caulk and weather stripping to cover all gaps in the windows and doors a year ago, it is essential to inspect all the doors and windows again for any new holes from where heated air may escape. It is also important that all gaps in the duct systems are covered. CNN Money has revealed that homeowners can increase the heating efficiency of their homes by 40 percent if they fix all holes in the duct system.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Consider using a reliable programmable thermostat for your HVAC system. Programmable thermostats are reasonably priced and can pay for themselves within a few months after purchasing them. Programmable thermostats are also capable of automatically lowering the temperature of the home when you go to work or when everyone is sleeping.
Lower the Temperature
Lowering the thermostat’s temperature by 10 to 15 degrees for around eight hours may save you around 15 percent on your heating expenses during the winter, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
These tips can help you and your family stay warm during the chilly winter months and, at the same time, keep your heating expenses under check. If you want to know more about energy efficiency, you can request your HVAC company to conduct an energy audit and recommend additional ways to conserve energy.
St. Louis HVAC Maintenance
Having a properly working furnace is a necessity during the winter in St. Louis. If your system breaks down or is not performing at its optimum level, trust Engineered Solutions to repair your system. To prevent system failure, we also offer routine maintenance.
Whatever your heating, air conditioning, or ventilation needs are, contact Engineered Solutions today at (314) 394-0802 or fill out our online contact form for a free estimate.