Protect Yourself from the Virus and the Cold with These HVAC Tips
Winter is right around the corner, which means you and your loved ones will need to start spending more time inside. During a normal year, bundling up indoors might not sound like that big of a deal, but this year’s winter could get fairly dark as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers on. Your HVAC system will be your best line of defense against the cold, but your furnace or heater could also end up spreading bacteria, dust, dirt, and even particles containing the coronavirus.
With temperatures falling, opening the windows may no longer be an option, so use these tips to keep the air inside your home as clean and warm as possible.
Check Your System Sooner Rather Than Later
Temperatures could drop at a moment’s notice, so it’s best to test out your system as soon as possible. No one wants to find out that their system needs to be repaired on a cold, frosty morning. Give yourself more peace of mind before winter arrives by turning the system on ahead of time.
It’s probably been a few months since you last used your furnace or heater, so spend some time to make sure it’s working properly. Be on the lookout for strange smells, sounds, or other warning signs that your system needs to be serviced by a professional. You may have trouble getting a repairman over to your house in the dead of winter, considering this tends to be their busy season. Call ahead and make sure you and your family have everything you need before winter arrives.
Keep Boilers and Water Heaters Running
HVAC experts say it’s best to keep boilers and water heaters running throughout the winter, even if you or your family plan on flying the coup this winter. Still water can lead to all kinds of nasty problems, including sludge, mold, and bacteria. Your water heater or boiler will have a much harder time pumping this water through the system if you leave it stagnate for months on end. Make sure you run the system every once in a while to keep the water fresh and free of bacteria. If you’re out of town, ask your neighbor to turn it on while you’re gone or consider switching to an automated heating system.
Monitor Your Air Intake
Make sure you and your family are bringing fresh, clean air into your home this winter. Check the air intake point on the outside of your home. This is where the HVAC system will pull in air from the outdoors. The area should be free of debris, including bushes, trees, dirt, yard equipment, bird feeders, sheds, and other obstacles that could affect air quality. Keep this space free of clutter and dirt to stay healthy all winter long.
Call a Professional
Unless you know your way around the inside of your HVAC system, it’s best to call a licensed repair professional. They can evaluate the inner workings of the machine to make sure it’s functioning at peak efficiency. They will check the dampers and actuators to make sure they are working at full range to improve the airflow inside your home. They can also check the seals on the dampers, adjust the control valves, and lubricate bearings and parts that may have rusted over the summer.
Use these tips to keep your home at the perfect temperature and free of COVID-19 all winter long. The stakes couldn’t be higher in 2021. Call an HVAC professional at A-1 Guaranteed today for more peace of mind.
