The beginning of November ushered in a record-setting heatwave for most of the country, but many of us have already turned our attention to the cold weather lurking around the corner. Winter rituals such as shoveling snow and navigating slick streets are often preceded by a winter ritual called turning on the heat for the first time.
Know What to Expect When Turning Your Heat On
It has been months since you last turned on the heat, so prepare for yourself for an off-putting smell the first time you turn on the heat for winter. Dust that has settled into your vent system burns away during the first few moments of turning on your heat for the first time. If the smell lingers for several hours, get on the phone to Accurate Baker Elman for professional HVAC maintenance.
Don’t Wait Until It Gets Cold
Turning on your heat for the first time means putting your HVAC system through a dry run at least a month before the first frost develops. You want to make sure you take care of any operational issues before the temperature plummets outdoors. Turn on the heat and let it run at a high temperature for around 10 minutes. You should be able to feel the heat, as well as determine the condition of the thermostat.
Improve Energy Efficiency
Even the most efficient running HVAC systems use more power than necessary if you allow cold drafts to sneak in through the doors and windows. Fill the gaps that have developed around the doors and windows to prevent cold air from causing your HVAC system to use more energy to produce heat. If the gaps are too large to fill, attach plastic over the entire area of one or more windows to block out cold air. You should also clean the HVAC system’s filters to generate cleaner air.
Optimize the flow of Warm Air
How you establish the layout of each room in your home goes a long way toward determining the performance of your HVAC heating system. Rearrange furniture to take advantage of vent locations. Doing this allows you to lower the thermostat because warm air makes more of a direct hit on the people in each room. This is especially important for the bedrooms since residents stay in the same relative position for hours on end. Also, move the furniture far enough away from vents to prevent damaging sofas and coffee tables.
Why Professional HVAC System Maintenance Matters
When you turn your heat on for the first time, pay close attention to potential issues. Hearing clanging sounds is one of the most common signs of an HVAC system that needs repair work done. Even better, contact a state-licensed HVAC contractor to take a look at your system before you turn it on for the first time. Contacting a reputable HVAC contractor delivers several benefits.
- Enhanced safety
- Better air quality
- Lower utility bills
- Fewer repair jobs
- A more comfortable home
Don’t wait until the first cold snap of winter arrives. Beat Old Man Winter by contacting Accurate Baker Elman. You can call our office at (508) 507-6063. You can also submit the convenient online form.