Winter in the Sunshine State means holiday festivities, family gatherings, and Hallmark Christmas movies. Unfortunately, it also means a bit of winter maintenance, especially if you have a furnace. While Florida has milder winters, there is no harm in taking some extra precautions and making sure your HVAC system is ready for the colder months. That’s why the pros at American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical have prepared a list of helpful furnace maintenance tips, so you can have a restful break, free of furnace troubles!
- Professional Maintenance
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- Scheduling professional maintenance for your heating system can improve the efficiency of your furnace. It can lengthen your unit’s lifespan and ensures energy efficiency. Whether it’s making sure you have enough refrigerant or cleaning the dust and debris from your outdoor unit, coils, or vents – professional HVAC technicians will handle it all. If you are also considering making big changes to your HVAC system such as installing a new one, a professional can give you reliable advice on the steps that you will need to take. It is best to schedule professional maintenance once or twice a year.
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- Change Your Thermostat
Don’t forget to look over your thermostat and ensure that the temperature is set right. In addition, make sure your thermostat is set to “Automatic” instead of “Fan.” The fan setting might be blowing air through the ductwork, even when heating isn’t taking place. As a result, cool air might be entering through your vents.
- Change Your Thermostat
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- Change Your Air Filter
By changing your air filter every 30 days to ensure your heating system is functioning properly. Changing your filter frequently also keeps your indoor air quality healthy. In addition, it can reduce your heating system’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent. On the other hand, a clogged filter will force your system to work harder to reach the set temperature and shorten the lifespan of your HVAC unit.
- Change Your Air Filter
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- Unblock Any Registers
If any appliances o your air vents and registers, your furnace will have a hard time providing the heating that you need. Try removing these items so your vents and registers can breathe!
- Unblock Any Registers
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- Seal It Up
If you notice any air leaks around your home, especially around your ductwork, windows, or exterior doors, it is best to seal them up ASAP. By using caulking or weatherstripping in these areas, you will ensure that cool, outdoor air isn’t getting in your home and messing with your furnace. Air leaks can worsen your indoor air quality and force your furnace to work overtime.
- Seal It Up
- Clean Up Your Outdoor Unit
If you aren’t using your air conditioner, make sure your outdoor unit is clean and ready to use when you do turn on your AC. Clear away any debris from around or inside the unit and wash pollen off the coils.
Prepare Your HVAC System for The Winter with American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical!
If you want more furnace maintenance tips, get in touch with the pros at American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical! Call us today at (407) 603-4410 or schedule an appointment with us on our website!