Your HVAC system works overtime during the summer keeping your home cool during Florida’s scorching summers. Most Florida homeowners focus on getting their AC unit working before the summer heat reaches its peak.
It is easy to overlook HVAC maintenance for Florida winters. Of course, the winters in Florida do not get as cold as in northern Minnesota. However, the temperatures can dip during the winter months. Things can get so cold that you may find yourself relying on your furnace to heat your home earlier in the year than you thought.
The last thing you want is to turn on your thermostat and not have your furnace work because you overlooked simple maintenance. Here are some things to keep in mind to ensure your HVAC system is prepped for winter.
Get Started Early
Don’t wait until winter before starting your HVAC winter maintenance. We recommend that you have your HVAC system professionally maintained two times during the year.
The first time is during the spring before the hot summer rolls around. The second time should be early in the fall before the cooler air of winter sets in.
If you are a little bit behind, don’t worry. Even if you start maintenance late, you are still benefiting yourself and protecting your HVAC system. You can prepare in advance next year so that you do not get any unwanted surprises.
Why Winter Maintenance Is Important for Your HVAC System
Winter can put a lot of stress on your HVAC system. However, just a few minor tweaks and basic maintenance will keep your unit running efficiently.
The first thing you should do is check your furnace filter. If you have pets or if there is a lot of dust or other allergens in the home, a dirty filter not only impacts your home’s air quality but can affect your respiratory health. Older individuals and those with allergies and asthma will want to be especially vigilant about replacing their air filter every six months.
If you have a reusable filter, you need to remove it, clean it, and replace it. Disposable filters will need to be removed and replaced with a new one. While it may be slightly more expensive, opt for one that has a good MERV rating.
Clean Your AC and Internal Unit
Your external AC unit may have collected twigs and debris during the fall. Clear this away, get rid of any nearby landscaping, and use your water hose to rinse off your AC unit.
Inspect your internal heating unit for signs of damage. If dust or debris has accumulated, clean it off. Remove water from your drain pans, and clean out your drain lines. Make sure that blowers and fans move without any resistance. Remove dust from fans and the air registers throughout your home.
Do an Electrical Check
Change the batteries in your thermostat. Update the temperature settings to make sure that they match what you want for this winter. While you are changing the batteries on your thermostat, replace the batteries on your carbon monoxide detector as well.
Call in the Professionals
You can do a good portion of the maintenance work on your own. However, some things should be left to professionals.
For example, our technicians can evaluate your thermostat settings. We will ensure that your thermostat aligns with the actual temperature of your home. The goal is to keep your home as comfortable as possible without losing energy.
Our professionals will examine your electrical wiring. This means ensuring that system controls, motors, and wiring systems continue to function as they should. That way, you will know that, when you turn on your unit, you do not have to worry if there is any danger.
Our technicians can ensure that all the moving parts are properly lubricated and functioning. We will look for wear and tear and recommend replacing obsolete components.
We will evaluate gas pressure and gas or oil connectors. If we identify anything that impacts the efficiency or safety of your unit, we will point these out and make recommended changes.
Get Your AC Ready for Winter
If you have heating issues or want to ensure that maintenance is done the way it should be, contact us at Air Tech of Central Florida. We are excited to help. Our technicians are experienced in all things related to HVAC, plumbing, thermostat, UV lighting, and whole-house fans. We even do home remodels. Contact Air Tech of Central Florida today. We look forward to helping make your home a comfortable place to live.
Author Bio:
Luigi Ferraro
Specializing in residential and commercial HVAC services, Air Tech offers a wide range of solutions to meet the heating and cooling needs of their customers. Their team of skilled technicians is trained to handle the installation, repair, and maintenance of HVAC systems with expertise and precision.
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