Winterizing your HVAC system is to ensure its longevity. Icy weather and excess moisture can wreak havoc on your home’s heating and cooling systems, especially if you have a unit that is installed outside. If you live in a mild climate, your heating system may work twice as hard during winter months due to leaking ducting. If you live in a colder climate, snow can sap your system’s strength even more! As a homeowner, it is important to take some preventative measures to protect your HVAC system from the challenges ahead. Use these three simple tips to winterize your HVAC system each year:
1) Clean the area around your HVAC system
Falling leaves, excess rain and snow, and trickling icicles will put your home’s HVAC system through the wringer. Outdoor systems tend to rust, clog up, and wears down faster over time. You can mitigate the games by cleaning up the area around your outdoor unit. Remove any fallen leaves, twigs, or dirt that can clog your system; lessening it’s efficiency and causing mulching effects on the unit. As the weather gets worse, remember to keep an eye out for any large chunks of ice or snow that can damage your HVAC system. A quick tidying up makes it easier to spot damage during the winter months. It also may improve the appearance of your home and pave the way for more winterization projects.
2) Disconnect your Air Conditioner
A simple pull of the plug and your air conditioning system can take a few months off. Unplugging your home’s AC unit is the best way to make sure that it doesn’t accidentally sneak on and pilfer electricity from your home. Even if your AC is off, the machine can still suck up trace amounts of electricity over the next several months – this is called reducing the “phantom load effect,” and works with all of your appliances as well when you’re not using them. You can be rest assured that your AC system is completely retired during the winter by removing it from the power grid completely. Do this by flipping the breaker or pulling the disconnect switch at the unit.
3) Seal your Ducting
Unused vents and poor insulation will cause cold air to permeate your home, driving up your energy bills. Sealing all of the ducting is an important step towards winterizing your HVAC system. The US Department of Energy recommends using mastic tape, foil tape, or other heat-resistant tape or mastic to seal your ducting. Cloth backed, rubber adhesive, and typical duct tape will dry out, degrade, and come apart easily over time. This will cause leakage in the seams of the ducting, where your heated air can escape, and where outside air can infiltrate.
Winterizing your HVAC system increases the lifespan and improves overall efficiency. A few quick steps and your home will be ready for the cold winter months each year. For the best in HVAC repair, solar, and other home efficiency solutions, contact A-1 Guaranteed Heating & Air, Inc. today! They will winterizing your HVAC system to keep your comfortable and warm all winter long.
