Winter Heating Mistakes You Should Avoid

Winter is the time of year when you need your furnace the most. HVAC maintenance companies recommend keeping your heating system in good shape with regular maintenance calls throughout the year so you don’t have to deal with HVAC issues in the middle of a snowstorm.

There are also ways to take care of your HVAC system when you’re using it all the time. By avoiding some common mistakes, you can enjoy consistent, dependable heating all throughout the winter. Here are the mistakes you should avoid making during the winter:

Running the heat full-blast. Say you just got home from vacation and the house feels like a freezer, so you turn on the heat and crank it up to the highest temperature possible, thinking this will warm up your home faster. Instead of heating up your house faster, however, it could overwork your HVAC system to the point of breaking. It will also result in ridiculously high energy use, which you’ll find out when you get your next energy bill. Instead of cranking the heat up too much, run the heat normally and get a blanket or put on a thick coat while you wait for the house to heat up.

Neglecting to change the filter. You’ll enjoy quicker and more efficient heating if your air filter is clean. A dirty air filter will obstruct airflow and also put your family at risk of allergic reactions and respiratory issues. This is why it’s important to clean or replace your filter regularly.

You should also keep your ductwork clean. Professional duct cleaning every three to five years will keep your ductwork free of pollutants and buildup that can lead to clogs.

Not doing anything about air leaks. Drafts can make your home uncomfortably cold, slow down heating and make your furnace work twice as hard, which wastes energy. Drafts enter through gaps around your exterior doors and windows. Seal those leaks, no matter how small, to save on heating and make your home more comfortable.

Closing vents in unoccupied rooms. Closing the vents in rooms you don’t usually use increases pressure on your HVAC system, which is sized to send equal amounts of heat throughout your entire house. Closed vents will create an imbalance that might break your heating system. Unless you have a multi-zone system, it’s more advisable to leave all the vents open and unblocked.

Neglecting maintenance until there’s a problem. It’s normal for an HVAC system to encounter problems at some point. But if you want to avoid the need for frequent repairs, it’s a good idea to call a professional to maintain your unit at least once a year. Regularly cleaning and tuning up your system can prevent bigger problems that might lead to serious damage.

Get in touch with Stone Heating and Air for home heating repair and maintenance. Taking care of your furnace can prevent serious problems and extend your unit’s life. Call us today at (541) 855-5521 or contact us here.