Texas doesn’t typically experience super cold winters. However, every so often, Mother Nature throws us a curve ball, dropping Fredericksburg TX into the frigid zone. Your furnace or heat pump will be working overtime to keep your home comfortable. Here’s a list of things you can do to help keep your heating system operating at peak performance, reduce the wear and tear on your system, and keep your home comfortable.
1. Change or Clean Your Air Filter Regularly:
One of the top causes of heat pump or heating system malfunction is a dirty filter. When it’s frigid outside, your heating system needs all the help it can get, and a clean air filter will help prevent your system from working harder than it needs to.
2. Keep Air Vents Clear and Unobstructed:
Whether you have a heat pump or a furnace, your system needs proper airflow to work efficiently. Make sure all indoor registers are open. Closing registers, even in unused rooms, can lead to pressure problems that will make your system work harder. You can adjust them to reduce airflow – just don’t shut them off.
Higher efficiency gas furnaces also have a vent outside. Typically, these vents will be located near ground level and can become obstructed by ice, snow, foliage, or even lawn furniture. Make sure the area around the vents is unobstructed so your heating system can vent properly.
3. Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors:
Spending more time inside and the higher demand on your heating system can cause additional strain on systems. As a safety measure, test carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they operate correctly.
4. Know When to Switch Your Heat Pump to “Emergency Heat”:
Only switch your heat pump to emergency heat mode if it stops working. “Emergency Heat” mode will lock the heat pump and switch your heating source to the auxiliary heat strips, which will use more energy to heat your home. If you do find yourself in a ‘cold house’ and your heat pump is not functioning, throw on some additional sweaters so you can lower your thermostat setting. Then give us a call, or click here to schedule a Wizard of Comfort technician to come out to address the problem.
5. Keep Your Thermostat Settings Within 3-5 Degrees of Desired Temperatures:
You may have heard that to save on energy, you should turn your heat down when you aren’t home or while you are tucked under blankets at night. However, when it is freezing outside, it is not recommended. Keep your thermostat settings within 3-5 degrees of your desired at-home temperature – day and night – even when you are away from home.
6. Don’t Skip Heating System Maintenance (Tune-ups):
Annual maintenance will help keep your furnace and/or heat pump operating at peak efficiency. During an HVAC tune-up, our highly skilled and professionally trained technicians will give your system a thorough cleaning and inspection to help increase efficiency (and your comfort), decrease energy use, reduce breakdowns, and help promote longer system life. If you have a gas furnace, we will also do a thorough safety inspection and carbon monoxide test to help keep your family safe. After we complete your Heat Pump or furnace tune-up, we’ll cover your system with our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!
