Cold weather might not be the first thing you associate with Florida. However, any resident will tell you that the temperatures do indeed drop during winter. And when they do, you’ll find most Floridians keeping cozy by switching their air conditioning to heating mode.
As we approach winter, we recommend preparing your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for the chillier months. Here are the steps to winterize your heating system.
Insulate Vulnerable Piping
When the temperature drops, pipes in your garage or around the exterior of your property could be at risk of freezing. Adding coverings or insulation during fall is a good way of getting pipes ready for winter. Try to keep your garage door shut whenever possible, too.
Not sure which pipes to insulate? A qualified heating and cooling system technician can do a walk-through with you to identify any pipes that may be vulnerable during the winter months.
Shut off Exterior Piping
If you’re not going to be using certain piping during the colder months, switch it off. It’s unlikely that you’ll need outdoor faucets when conditions aren’t great. So, a good way to prep those pipes is to shut them off and drain them. This can prevent freezing in the event of an unexpected cold snap and save you the headache of fixing cracked pipes come springtime.
Locate Your Water Shutoff Valve
Whether your property is a rental or you own it, you should know where your shutoff valve is located. A property’s main valve is usually separate from the outdoor plumbing valve. This gives you the option to shut off part or all of your water depending on your needs (as mentioned above).
Knowing where your valves are located ahead of time can make it easier to tackle frozen pipes if they do occur. Not sure how to find your valve? A heating professional will be able to help you find it in no time.
Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready
Does your home have a furnace? If so, it’s going to need some specific preparation before winter hits. The key thing is to ensure the system can operate at its best when it’s most needed. Vacuuming out any dust or debris from your furnace will give it a much better chance of surviving to spring.
Insulate Your Home (Including Your Attic)
A quarter of heat is lost through the roof of an uninsulated property. So if you haven’t yet insulated your roof, it’s something to strongly consider before wintertime. By doing so, you can keep your home toasty and drastically reduce your energy bills year after year.
D&D Air is one of the leading Sarasota AC companies. We are currently offering free attic insulation with the purchase of a high-efficiency unit. Get in touch for more details on how to claim this offer.
Replace your HVAC Filter
The fastest and easiest of all the steps to winterize your heating system is to change your HVAC filter. The filter is responsible for boosting air quality by removing unwanted dirt, allergens, and dust particles from the air.
If you haven’t already cleaned or replaced your air filter, make sure to put it in your calendar before winter. If you want to buy new filters and don’t know which the best HVAC filters are, we can help. Give us a call at D&D Air Conditioning for obligation-free advice.
Check Your Thermostat
Are you sure that your heating system is operating at the temperature that your thermostat is displaying? If in doubt, contact an HVAC professional to check that the system is working correctly.
Most modern HVAC systems have a smart thermostat that is programmable. This means you can set your heating to come on when you need it – when waking up in the morning or getting home from work – and automatically shut off when you don’t. Doing so will help you save on your energy bills and keep you cozy all winter long.
Wondering what is the best temperature to keep your house in the winter? We recommend setting your thermostat anywhere between 72° F and 66° F. And remember, reducing the temperature by just 1° F can save more than you might think over the course of winter.
Clean the Air Vents
Clean vents perform better than clogged, dusty vents. This is because the air can flow freely through the system instead of fighting debris to warm your home. Keeping your vents clear also means clean air, which is especially important for staying healthy during winter.
Contact an HVAC technician for advice on how to winterize your home and prepare your vents for the colder period. Or, schedule a service and save yourself the job. Getting the task done properly can save money in the long run.
Steps to Winterize Your Heating System
The best HVAC units and systems are those that have been well taken care of. Completing this winter HVAC checklist will save you money, keep your home warm, and help avoid any faults that could potentially leave you without heating.
Some of the items on this list are easy to do yourself. However, others have the potential to be more challenging. D&D Air Conditioning is a five-star rated air conditioning service in Sarasota, Fl. We serve Sarasota, Bradenton, and the wider Florida area. Our team of expert technicians is available seven days a week and our work comes with a 5-year guarantee.
Our 24-point preventative maintenance inspection covers all the steps to winterize your heating system. This includes a filter change, thermostat calibration, and 22 other necessary services, so you don’t have to struggle to do it yourself.
