In a season of holidays focused on family and thankfulness, you’ll want to give your home a reason to be thankful as well. Your HVAC system can make a huge difference in many ways, causing your home and its residents to appreciate your attention to important maintenance and equipment needs. Here are three important ways to pamper your heating equipment and improve your home environment.
Schedule Heating Maintenance Promptly
ENERGY STAR recommends you tune your heating system up annually to improve both efficiency and comfort levels in the home. This can make an important difference in your heating costs for the winter, too. A heating maintenance visit includes a check of thermostat settings, electrical connections, refrigerant levels in heat pumps, gas or oil connections in combustion systems, and lubrication of moving parts.
As a technician tests your system, he or she may identify worn parts that could result in a heating malfunction as the cold weather arrives. Your technician can also verify that safety mechanisms are operating properly. Carbon monoxide issues can be a serious concern during the winter months, and both your home and your family will be thankful for the assurance that your equipment meets appropriate safety standards.
Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned
In addition to inspecting your mechanical equipment, it’s ideal to have a duct inspection completed prior to the start of heating season. Your home will appreciate the cleaner air and the more efficient heating of the structure as you have leaks and dirt addressed by an HVAC professional. Your budget may be thankful, too, because duct leaks can represent a 40-percent or greater loss of heating energy.
Cleaning your ducts ensures that the pathway for your air supply isn’t contaminated with excessive levels of dust, mold, pet dander, and other debris. Cleaning should be done at least once every five years, but you may want more frequent cleanings if your home is prone to serious levels of indoor air pollution.
Pay Attention to Indoor Air Quality
Because the cold weather also brings many germs and discomforts, you may want to have your indoor air quality tested prior to the change of season. Your IAQ specialist can test for pollutants and evaluate your HVAC system’s contribution to such issues. He or she can also recommend special equipment for enhancing your indoor atmosphere.
An air purifier is an important consideration if your family tends to deal with a lot of cold and flu activity during the winter months. A germicidal air cleaner can trap and kill biomaterials like viruses and bacteria, an important way to curb the spread of germs. It can also keep additional pollutants to a minimum in the home, limiting exposure to allergens and other particulates.
A humidifier can be important for helping your home’s interior to stay comfortable. Additionally, a stable humidity level can prevent damage to household decor and furnishings. Sufficient humidity is also a priority for promoting healthy mucous membranes in people, an important defense against winter germs. Additionally, a dry interior environment can irritate skin and cause breathing difficulties for some people.
If you’re ready to give your home a bit of TLC before Thanksgiving, contact Beckham & Jones Heating and Air Conditioning today to schedule an appointment. We provide prompt maintenance services in the Huntsville, Texas, area.
