Living in Georgia, we’re known a lot more for our hot and humid summers than we are for our chilly winters, but that doesn’t mean the colder months don’t pack quite the punch! That said, it stands to reason that you really want your heater to work as effectively and efficiently as possible while keeping your family comfortable. This means that you’ll want to schedule routine professional heating maintenance each year. We typically recommend this service in the fall, before the cooler temps arise, but this is definitely a case of “better late than never,” even if you’re reading it right smack in the middle of winter.
There are some very basic heating maintenance tasks you can do on your own, and that you should do on your own. This includes replacing the furnace or heat pump air filter every 1-3 months, in addition to ensuring that the space around your heater’s outdoor unit is clean and clear of debris and clutter.
This is just the beginning, though. A much more thorough maintenance session is required if you expect your heating system to continue to operate as powerfully and efficiently as it is meant to. Read on to learn more!
Think about last winter.
There’s a pretty common misconception when it comes to the air filter inside an HVAC system. Many homeowners assume that this air filter is in place to protect their indoor air quality. While these air filters certainly don’t hurt your indoor air quality, their purpose is actually to protect the interior components of your HVAC system itself from dust, dirt, and other debris that can get inside and harm its sensitive components. The air filter, then, needs to be changed on a regular basis–more on this below!
If there is anything that Snellville residents have in common, it’s their need for fully efficient air conditioning. So to talk about heating services may seem a little out of place for us. Still though, there’s no denying that when it does dip into chillier temperatures, we need efficient heaters too. Sure, you can buy a high-efficiency furnace or heat pump, but you’re still at the mercy of everyday efficiency drains. What are those? Well, things like a lack of insulation, drafty windows and doors, and lack of proper maintenance.
It’s the time of year where you’re starting to use your heating system more and more. This should be causing an increase in your comfort, but what if all you discover is that you’re not as comfortable as you think you should be? Let’s say you’re running your heater a reasonable amount of time, but it doesn’t seem to be improving your home’s temperature? This definitely means that something is amiss.
When you tell people you live in the south, they probably very quickly have an idea of the weather you deal with. Let’s face it, we’re known for our heat and humidity in the summer! And so, you probably don’t give a whole lot of consideration to your heating system.
The short answer to this question? It’s complicated. We know that’s not what you want to hear but it’s the truth. And as a local team of HVAC experts that’s dedicated to serving our community, we believe you deserve the truth, not an easy answer that will sell more systems. The bottom line is that a furnace is a great option for many homes, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.
When it comes to the weather we’re used to, our recent temperatures have been relatively cold! As such, our heaters are getting quite the workout. Hopefully, you had maintenance done this past fall, to ensure that your system works as efficiently and effectively as possible. This is the #1 way to maintain heating efficiency, actually, by scheduling tune-ups once a year if you have a furnace or boiler and twice a year if you have a heat pump system.
The short answer to this is, “yes.”
When it comes to getting an HVAC system installed, it makes sense that you want to save as much space as possible. This is especially true in the case of a furnace, in our climate—where you’re not going to need the system for the majority of the year. For this reason, many homeowners opt to have their furnace installed in their attic, but should they?