Preventative maintenance is critical for your HVAC system. As this time of year comes where you rely on heating the most, it is crucial to ensure your heating system will keep up. Here are some helpful tips to prepare for a winter season on the Eastern Shore.
Most air filters should be replaced every three to six months to optimize the heating, cooling, and ventilation of your HVAC system. A dirty or clogged filter can restrict airflow, reduce heating efficiency and in the worst-case scenarios, result in a system breakdown.
If you use a gas furnace or heat pump to heat your home in the winter, it’s important to understand that each home varies on the time of when filter replacements are needed. Consistent maintenance of your heat pump can on average, reduce your energy consumption between 10-25%. The filter variety, thickness, size, MERV rating, and even the number of people in your household are all factors in how often you should change your filters. Both smokers and homeowners who are undergoing home renovations may also need to switch out their air filters more often. The MERV rating, when independent of all other factors, is another indicator for when you should have your air filters replaced.
The Delmarva Peninsula is not accustomed to cold winters. In fact, a look at past weather data, areas such as Salisbury, Ocean City, Lewes, Bethany Beach, and other cities throughout the area have experienced consistently mild winters. However, it is still important to consider winterizing your outdoor HVAC units. On a dry fall day, get outside and remove all leaves, twigs, and grass clippings away from your outdoor unit — a garden hose can help provide a thorough rinsing, remove animal droppings, bugs, dust, and dirt.
For AC only outdoor units, and only once the unit has completely dried, locate the electrical circuit and flip the switch to cut the power supply — that way, you'll prevent accidental automated starts during warm winter days. Finally, cover the HVAC unit with a waterproof cover that can breathe so moisture doesn’t build up over the winter and remember to clear snow, ice, and debris as it accumulates in the coming months. Even if you live in a milder climate, such as Delmarva, your outdoor unit is still susceptible to falling debris, curious animals, and general deterioration from the elements. Winterizing your outdoor unit is important to consider regardless of the severity of an area’s winter climate.
Investing in extra insulation can help save money on power bills. Not only does this additional layer of material maintain the temperature inside and reduce heat transfer, but it also eases the workload for the AC or furnace. This allows the system to run more efficient and effectively. Good insulation helps homes maintain a more consistent temperature on a daily basis. Poor insulation can potentially force an HVAC system to switch from heating to cooling and back every few days. Overall, insulation is an important component to the successful conditioning of any home.
As mentioned, the Delmarva Peninsula of Maryland and Delaware is accustomed to mild and temperate winter seasons. Even so, it is important to consider preparation for your HVAC systems. It is critical to know what is happening in an HVAC system, especially before the peak of any season. Considering a scheduled checkup that is part of an annual maintenance will allow for this as a typical maintenance will check the functionality of important components in addition to the changing or cleaning of air filters.
Need to prepare for an upcoming season? Schedule an appointment for preventative today - Contact Real HVAC Services Today.
Published: November 16, 2023
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