How To Prepare Your Heater For Winter

How To Prepare Your Heater For Winter

The winter months can be hard on your heating system. The last thing you need is to be in the middle of a cold front with an unreliable heater. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to make sure your heater is ready for the winter.

Here at Southern Air, we are experts when it comes to all things heating and cooling. Here are some ways to prepare your heater for winter.

Replace Your Filters

The last thing you want is for your heater to work harder than it has to during the winter months. Get the most out of your heater and change the air filters. Over time, your air filters are going to build up a lot of dust and dirt. The dust makes it harder for your heater to push air through your filters, causing them to work harder and use more energy. 

The dust and dirt build-up can also start to blow through your home, affecting your indoor air quality. Avoid, these issues altogether and change out your air filters a few times a year. 

Clean Your Vents

Similar to your filters, keeping the outside portion of your air vents can also improve your indoor air quality and save you money.  Once dust starts to build up in and on your air vents, your heater is going to start to blow that dust throughout your home. 

Cleaning the outside of your air vents can help resolve this issue. However, if you want to have your duct system cleaned, you’re going to call an HVAC professional. Cleaning your duct system can be nearly impossible and dangerous without the right tools and training, so don’t hesitate to call a professional. 

Clean the Area Around Your HVAC Unit

It’s important to keep your HVAC unit in top condition. While most maintenance is best left to a professional, you can do some maintenance yourself, including cleaning your HVAC unit. If debris gets caught inside your HVAC unit, you could be in for a costly repair. So, it’s important to keep it clean.

Remove any debris, trim bushes and trees, and sweep the area around your unit to keep it clean. If you happen to notice debris has fallen inside your HVAC unit, you can attempt to remove it yourself once you turn off your HVAC unit. However, if you feel uncomfortable don’t hesitate to contact an HVAC professional to remove the debris. 

Test Your Heater

Before the cold weather sets in, it’s important to test your heating system to make sure it’s working properly. When you turn your heater on for the first time of the season, you’ll probably smell something burning but it’s likely just dust. However, if the smell continues for more than two days or you hear strange noises coming from your heater, turn your heater off and call an HVAC professional to investigate the issue further.

Schedule A Tune-Up

The most important thing you can do for your heater or furnace is to schedule a tune-up. Heating and AC tune-ups keep your HVAC system running in top condition. Heaters and furnaces typically last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. If you want to make sure your heater gets closer to that 20-year mark, schedule a tune-up at least twice a year at the beginning of the fall and the beginning of spring.

If you are ready to schedule a tune-up for your heater then contact Southern Air today. Whether you need a heater tune-up, an AC repair, or an indoor air quality test, we can help you with all of your heating and air needs. 

If you are located in Central Lousiana, contact us today!