It’s a new year, and you probably have resolutions for all kinds of things in your life. But do you have one for your heater? If not, you should. Performing and checking off some simple tasks can improve the overall energy efficiency of your heater, improve your indoor air quality, and create an overall more comfortable home environment. Below, we have compiled a New Year’s resolution checklist for your heater.
Create a Schedule to Change Your Air Filter
The air filters in your heating system should be changed every 60 days. However, they should be checked on a monthly basis. Put a reminder in your phone or write the task in every month on your calendar and make sure you complete the task. If you have pets, you will likely need to replace your heating system’s air filter every 30 days.
Making sure your air filter is changed on a regular basis has a huge impact on the efficiency of your heating system. When an air filter becomes clogged, it can cause your system to work extra hard to push air throughout your home. This uses a lot of extra energy and can eventually lead to the system overheating and shutting down.
A gas system that overheats can also lead to a cracked heat exchanger, which can be dangerous. Not only is a heat exchanger very expensive to replace, but if it is cracked, it can leak carbon monoxide into your home. This can be deadly, especially since it is colorless and odorless. As a precaution, if you have a gas furnace, you should have working carbon monoxide detectors and ensure they are working on a regular basis.
A clogged air filter also contributes to poor indoor air quality. This can be a big problem if anyone in your household has respiratory issues. Making sure the air filter is checked and changed on a regular basis is one of the simplest tasks you can take to keep your system running efficiently.
Don’t Drop the Ball When It Comes to Professional Maintenance
If you want to get the most out of your heating system, it is important to have a professional perform a tune-up at least once per year. While this should ideally be done in the fall before you turn your system on, it’s never too late to schedule a visit.
When one of our technicians performs heating maintenance on your system, they will:
- Lubricate all moving parts
- Check for worn components
- Inspect and clean your heat exchanger
- Ensure safety mechanisms are working
- Clean the inside of dust and debris
- Check for proper airflow
- Set manifold pressure
- And much more
When a system is well-maintained by a professional, you can expect it to last longer and heat your home efficiently and evenly. When one of our technicians finds a worn part, they will replace it (with your approval). By replacing worn-out parts before they fail altogether, you can prevent them from damaging other parts of your system and costing a lot more money in repairs. It will also give you peace of mind that your system is not likely to break down unexpectedly when you need it the most.
It is important to keep in mind that, if you have a warranty, regular maintenance performed by a licensed technician is required to keep it valid. At BEST Air Conditioning Plumbing Repair, we offer an annual maintenance plan that gives you peace of mind that your system will be maintained according to your warranty provider’s requirements.
Upgrade to a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
If you have an old dial thermostat, it is high time to upgrade it. By choosing a programmable or smart thermostat, you will have more control over your heating system. Old dial thermostats can contribute to the inefficiency of your heating system because they are not as accurate at registering the indoor temperature. Modern thermostats can more accurately tell what the temperature inside your home is. They also have added features that can improve the overall efficiency of your heating system.
With programmable thermostats, you can set your thermostat at a lower temperature when everyone is at work or school. This one simple act can save a lot of energy. Smart thermostats have features that can actually learn your schedule, sense when no one is home or when everyone is sleeping, and automatically adjust the settings for maximum efficiency. Some can even adjust settings based on the weather outside. With a smart system, you will also have remote access to it from your smart device. So, you can change the settings before you leave work or get back from a vacation. Some smart thermostats will even send you alerts that your system is due for maintenance and send monthly reports on your energy usage.
Install Zoning Capabilities
When you zone your home, dampers will be installed in your ductwork, and multiple thermostats will be placed throughout the home. With a zoned setup, you can use a single heater and set different temperatures for different parts of the home. So, you can set rooms that are not frequently used to the lowest comfortable temperature. The dampers in the ductwork are what regulate the amount of heat coming into a room. By not heating rooms that are not in use, you will save energy and money.
Seal Leaks and Improve Insulation
To winterize your home, you will want to make sure there are no leaks around windows and doors. If there are, all you may need is to put up new weather strips. However, if your windows are old and outdated, it will pay off to replace them with more efficient ones. A home that has few drafts puts less stress on your heating system. A heating system that doesn’t have to work as hard will last longer.
If the insulation in your home hasn’t been updated in the last 10-15 years, you should have an expert inspect it. By replacing or adding more thickness to the insulation in your attic, you can significantly reduce heat loss. A home that can retain heat for longer won’t need the heating system to run as frequently to maintain a comfortable environment inside your home.
The Heating Experts of Las Vegas
At BEST Air Conditioning Plumbing Repair, we have been serving the residents of Las Vegas with top-quality heating services since 2016. Giving back to the community is very important to us, which is why we donate to Susan G. Komen and are proud participants in the Lennox Feel The Love campaign. In addition to heating installation, maintenance, and repair, we also offer the same service for your AC unit. We are also a full-service plumbing company and can assist you with kitchen and bathroom upgrades, water heaters, gas lines, and garbage disposals. It doesn’t stop there as we also offer indoor air quality solutions and ductwork cleaning and sealing. Call us today to learn more about our comprehensive services and to schedule maintenance for your heating system.
