Isn’t it wonderful when it’s snowy outside and the world seems new? It’s a great feeling when you can watch the flakes gently fall with a nice cup of coffee in hand, from inside your cozy house. This is
all so much harder when your home isn’t comfortable. If things are too hot or too cold inside your house, there are some things you can do to get everything working well again.
Maintain Your HVAC System
When you have your HVAC system maintained by a professional, you’ll find out if there are any problems with it before they become a huge deal. This means that you can find ways to solve these problems before you’re left without heat (or with too much of it!).
Your HVAC maintenance should include changing the air filter on your furnace. Since all of the air that your furnace heats has to come in through that filter, your furnace will save a lot of energy if
it doesn’t have to pull air through layers and layers of dirt! A clean filter also means it will get more air, so there will be more warmth in your home.
A good maintenance professional will clean your fan and coils, too. When dust gathers on these, it can smell bad as it burns off and it can also make your furnace less efficient. Make sure you’re
getting the most out of every dollar you spend on heating this winter by keeping your system’s maintenance up to date.
Clear Your Air and Exhaust Pipes
If the pipes that draw air in and expel it are close to the ground, they can easily get covered by leaves, snow, and other winter debris. Find out where these are, then make sure they are cleared out.
If yours tend to get covered, make sure you clean them out every time there is a lot of wind or a snowstorm.
Get Your Ducts Cleaned
Sometimes, your winter discomfort can come from allergies or asthma instead of from temperature problems. Both of these conditions can be exacerbated by the dry air that tends to come along with
wintertime in many locations, as well as because you’re staying inside more often and your HVAC system is a closed one. Removing the dust and allergens from your ducts can help you breathe easier and feel better at home.
Purchase a Programmable Thermostat
Make sure your home is warm when you need it to be by buying and installing a programmable thermostat. These allow you to tell your home when it needs to heat up, so you don’t have to pay to keep the hot air running all the time. It also tells it when it’s okay to cool off, like when you’re at work or away for a few days.
Unblock Your Vents
Make sure your vents aren’t covered. Even a light layer of fabric on top of a vent can make it a lot harder for the hot air to distribute across your home correctly. Check your vents regularly, especially if you have children or animals who might accidentally cover them up.
