Your plumbing and HVAC systems both impact the comfort and energy performance of your home. If you don’t take certain steps, you may find yourself without heat or hot water during the holidays. Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid these issues with our wintertime HVAC and plumbing maintenance tips.
HVAC Maintenance Strategies
The steps you take today to prep your heater for winter can make a big difference in preventing last-minute heating emergencies. You won’t have to fret about unexpected breakdowns due to worn-out or damaged parts.
Replace the Air Filter
First things first, you must keep the air filter changed regularly. Most standard filters last about four to six weeks during the winter before they need a replacement. Just check the filter’s label and manufacturer guidelines to see how often to replace yours. You don’t want the heater running with a dirty filter because it restricts airflow. This makes the heater use more energy and it can also lead to uneven heating. Plus, it makes it harder for the heater to filter out dust particles before they circulate through the home. People with allergies and asthma are especially sensitive to the poor filtration.
Dust and Vacuum Supply and Return Vents
Do a walkthrough of the whole home every couple of weeks to wipe down the air vents. If there’s a lot of dust and dirt buildup on the vents, it affects airflow and adds strain to the furnace. Keeping them clean will prevent blockages and also improve indoor air quality by reducing airborne pollutants. Don’t forget to vacuum inside the vent openings when you wipe them down. If you notice anything stuck in a vent grille or down in the duct opening, try to remove it with a small brush or pair of tongs. If you can’t reach it, give us a call. A technician can clear the obstruction so the airflow doesn’t cause any issues with heating performance.
Adjust and Test the Thermostat Ahead of Time
Your thermostat plays a big role in how efficiently and effectively the furnace can keep your home warm. Sensor malfunctions, dead batteries and loose wiring are frequent contributors to short cycling and uneven heating. If your thermostat keeps misreading temperatures, it might be time for a replacement. We always recommend installing smart thermostats because of the features they come with. They make it simple to set schedules and use learning algorithms to adjust settings automatically. When used strategically, you can reduce your heating costs by as much as 10% with a smart thermostat.
Clear Clutter Around the Furnace or Air Handler
It’s quite common for homeowners to use furnace rooms and utility closets for storing holiday decorations and boxes. While this is completely okay, it’s only safe if you leave enough clearance around the heater. When you put bins and decor right next to the furnace, you increase the risk of fire hazards. We suggest stacking items neatly and keeping a clearance of at least three feet around the unit. This not only reduces fire hazards but also ensures our technicians have plenty of room to safely work on the heater if it experiences a malfunction.
Check and Clean the Outdoor Unit
Heat pumps are unlike furnaces in that they have an outdoor part, which consists of the compressor and condenser coil. This part is extremely vulnerable to snow and ice during the winter. Adding a snow guard is an easy way to divert roof runoff from snow and ice away from the unit so it doesn’t build up and cause issues with airflow and freezing. They also make heat-pump shelters that provide even more coverage for shielding the outdoor parts from drifting snow.
Book Seasonal HVAC Maintenance
You can take steps to help your HVAC perform better during the winter, but certain tasks require professional service. You never want to open or disassemble the unit because it’s dangerous and can void the warranty. An experienced technician has the training and tools to do all internal maintenance safely.
The following are what’s included in seasonal HVAC maintenance.
- Full system inspection
- Heat exchanger check
- Blower motor cleaning
- Thermostat performance test
- Electrical connections tightening
Plumbing Tune-Up Tasks
Your plumbing is at a higher risk of clogs during the holidays because of all the extra cooking and increased water usage. Following our tips is crucial to protecting your home from frozen pipes and costly backups that can make holiday get-togethers stressful.
Insulate Exposed Pipes in Unheated Areas
All of your exposed piping needs weatherproofing or extra insulation to avoid the effects of freezing temperatures. For example, wrapping exposed pipes with foam pipe insulation helps retain warmth so that they don’t crack and burst. Following this tip doesn’t require hiring a professional, unless you’re uncomfortable working around plumbing lines. You just slip the foam covers over the pipes and enjoy better freeze protection.
Let Faucets Drip During Extreme Cold
It’s much harder for water to freeze in your pipes when it’s constantly moving. This is why it’s such a good idea to let a few faucets drip very slowly during freezing temperatures. You might think this wastes water, but in reality, it’s far cheaper than paying for burst pipe replacement and water damage restoration.
Open Cabinet Doors Under Sinks
It’s also harder for pipes to freeze when they have warmer air circulating around them. With this in mind, you should remember to open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks. This is especially important at nighttime when temperatures often drop the lowest. If you want even more protection, you can add heat tape to the pipes most at risk.
Here are some benefits of using heat tape for your plumbing during the winter.
- Reduces risk of bursting
- Minimizes water damage risks
- Ideal for crawlspace pipes
- Prevent cold-weather clogs
- Easy to install
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses
The best way to protect spigots is to weatherproof them with insulated faucet covers. Put your water hoses in storage to make sure they stay dry and ready for next year’s use. If you don’t disconnect the hoses or weatherproof the spigots, they’re much more likely to freeze and crack.
Check Your Water Heater’s Temperature Setting
Having a dependable water heater is paramount to making sure you have a good time during holiday gatherings and the rest of winter. A safe and efficient temperature setting is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures the water isn’t too hot but also prevents bacterial growth. Water heaters with their temperature set too high tend to experience more problems with overheating and energy waste.
Seek Professional Help Today
All Klear is here to make sure your HVAC and plumbing systems remain reliable year-round. We offer water heater replacements, sump pump repairs, HVAC tune-ups, plumbing maintenance and much more. Contact All Klear today to hire a skilled plumber or HVAC technician in Springfield, MO.
