In San Marcos, we enjoy warm temperatures for most of the year. However, when winter rolls around, we often get chilly and windy weather. When seasons change and temperatures start to drop, you’ll want to make sure your home remains comfortable.
To help you prepare your home for winter, we’re sharing some expert tips to help you save money without sacrificing comfort:
- Clean your heater’s air filter
- Adjust your thermostat for heat settings
- Schedule a heating tune-up
Want to make sure your heating system runs strong all winter? Call Reliable Air today!
Call us at (512) 580-8837 or click below to schedule an HVAC tune-up to see Texas residents trust us for honest, top-quality work and good ole fashioned service. We have hundreds of 5-star customer reviews from your neighbors in San Marcos, TX and the surrounding areas.
Clean Your Heater’s Air Filters
Furnace filters protect your system’s blower fan from various particulates such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and even pet hair that may be circulating in your indoor environment. The filter also helps protect indoor air quality by capturing these particulates and taking them out of circulation.
Some furnaces use replaceable filters, while others use permanent filters that you must clean regularly. Furnace filters are frequently made from fiberglass, electrostatic paper, or cotton.
Problems Caused by Dirty Air Filters
Dirty air filters can cause household residents issues and damage the unit itself. A buildup of particulates that clogs a filter makes it fail to do its job correctly, reducing indoor air quality (IAQ). In worst-case scenarios, poor IAQ may cause respiratory issues such as sneezing, watery, itchy eyes, and even difficulty breathing.
Besides health concerns, dirty air filters can impede optimum airflow throughout your HVAC unit, resulting in poor temperature regulation throughout your home. Some rooms are too chilly, while others are too warm. Because heating systems have to work harder because of the clogged air filter, you’ll also likely notice an increase in utility costs. If the situation is allowed to continue unchecked, you risk the complete malfunction of your furnace or heat pump, and it may wind up needing a premature replacement.
Adjust Your Thermostat for Heat Settings
Once you switch your household thermostat to the “heat” setting, your unit should kick on within a minute or two. If this doesn’t occur, it’s probably time to call the professionals at Reliable Air to ensure that your system is up and running for chilly weather. Be alert for anything unexpected, such as unpleasant odors, banging or scraping noises, and cold spots throughout your home.
Furnaces that have just been turned on often emit a burning odor, typically dissipating within a few days. It may simply mean that you need to replace or clean your furnace filter. If the smell persists, it’s better to err on the side of caution and call a professional technician instead of waiting until the system malfunctions on a cold winter night.
It's also a good time to set the schedule on your programmable thermostat to turn down your heat whenever you’re away. That way, you can save as much as 10% on energy costs a year.
Schedule a Heating Tune-Up
Just like how you go to the doctor or dentist for regular checkups to stay healthy, tune-ups help keep your furnace and heat pump functioning in top form. The ideal time to schedule a tune-up for your heater is during the autumn. It's good practice to schedule one a year so that your system is ready for whatever the season brings, no matter the timing.
During a heating maintenance call, your Reliable Air technician will:
- Thoroughly inspect your unit for signs of wear and tear
- Look carefully for loose, cracked, broken, or otherwise dysfunctional components that need to be repaired or replaced
- Check and clean the burners
- Clean or replace the air filter
- Inspect and adjust the wiring
- Oil the individual parts of the motor to keep it running smoothly
They will also offer advice on saving money on energy costs and answer any questions you may have.
Benefits of Heating Tune-Ups
Benefits of heating tune-ups include:
- Lower utility costs and heating repair bills
- Enhanced heating performance
- Increased life expectancy for your heating system
A well-tuned heater also runs more efficiently, which translates to a lower amount on your utility bill.
You’ll also minimize the chances of you and your family being unpleasantly surprised by a breakdown during a seasonal cold snap, giving you the peace of mind that you won’t have an untimely heating failure.
Not to mention that you'll have an extra layer of protection against hazards such as carbon monoxide emissions and fires caused by faulty electrical components and wiring. Some homeowners insurance policies require that you schedule regular maintenance visits for major household fixtures, such as HVAC systems, for claims to be valid.
During a tune-up, Reliable Air’s experienced technicians can find emerging issues before they become significant problems. It’s far less expensive to fix a small problem than to wait until it balloons into something substantial.
Need Heating Maintenance in San Marcos? Contact Reliable Air Today!
Don’t wait until your heater breaks down and leaves you and your family in the cold during the middle of winter. Contact Reliable Air today to protect your San Marcos home from unexpected furnace or heat pump malfunctions with HVAC tune-ups.
We provide our customers with same-day service and two-hour scheduling windows, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (512) 580-8837 or use the handy online portal on our website to request a 5-star tune-up.