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<\/p>\nWhether we want to admit it or not, the Summer’s warm temperatures will soon be behind us making way for another chilly pair of Fall and Winter seasons. While it’s as simple as getting the coats out of storage to make sure our bodies are warm – ensuring our homes are warm is a little more involved. There are a few things that you can do to be sure your HVAC is up, running and prepared for the cold months even if you aren’t ready to let Summer go!<\/p>\n
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Not only can these suggestions help you get your home ready for Winter, they can also help extend the life of your HVAC system as well.<\/p>\n
Some common section headers include:<\/p>\n
Ensuring that your air filters are clean is one of the most important things you can do to protect your home and the air you breathe! If you have pets, you’ll probably want to change your air filters (approximately) every 90 days. If you don’t have any pets, then your filters can be changed every 6-12 months. Checking them monthly is recommended as well. If you see dust, you’ll want to change it sooner than the recommended timeframes.<\/p>\n
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Once the Summer temperatures start to fade, you will want to set your thermostat at a higher temperature on a cool morning or evening to ensure that it will heat your home to your desired temperature. If you notice that it’s taking too long to get to your desired temperature or if it doesn’t reach the temperature at all, you’ll want to have your system checked, as this is a sign that there is obviously an issue.<\/p>\n
Hint: Another suggestion for managing the temperature and saving you money on your energy\u00a0bills, we recommend a programmable thermostat. These thermostats will allow you to set your temperatures lower when no one will be home which will make your system work less to heat your home when it’s not necessary!<\/p>\n
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Any time of year, it’s best to keep your air vents uncovered and unobstructed. If something is on top of or in front of a vent, the air cannot circulate to heat (or cool) the entire room. In addition to the vents, you’ll want to make sure the returns aren’t covered as well. When either of these two vents are obstructed, it will cause your system to work harder which can shorten its life span and cause your energy costs to rise. The air quality in your home could be reduced as well, which can affect your family’s well-being.<\/p>\n
If you hear any noises in your vents, coming from your system inside, or outside your home – make a call to have someone check your system as soon as possible. This could be quite minor as in something getting caught in your vents or it could be something major only giving your system a matter of time before it locks up or shuts down.<\/p>\n
As always, in addition to the above tips that most homeowners can tend to themselves as part of regular maintenance and upkeep, seasonal checks on your home’s HVAC system are recommended. HVAC professionals can inspect your system’s motors, belts, switches, refrigerants and gas pressure to ensure that your system is running correctly and that it is prepared for some of the harshest conditions it will work in.<\/p>\n