Tips to prepare your HVAC system for winter

Winterizing your home is an important task if you want to avoid leaks, burst pipes, or the furnace failing on the coldest night. By preparing your heating system for the winter, you can have peace of mind that you’ll stay warm and stress-free. HVAC companies in Edmonton like Richfield Plumbing and Heating can help you prepare your HVAC system for winter. They share some professional tips to get a start on winterizing your heating system.

Furnace

Furnaces tend to run extra hard during the winter to help keep the house warm and comfortable. While the unit itself doesn’t need to be winterized, it does need some maintenance and checks to prepare it. A few basic DIY checks include making sure the furnace is free of surrounding objects that could become fire hazards. For pilot lit furnaces, make sure the flame is blue and not orange or yellow. Any other colour means the flame isn’t getting enough oxygen. This issue can cause costly problems if not repaired, or risk carbon monoxide leaks. Changing the furnace filter will also keep its energy efficiency and savings up. Dirty filters make the furnace work harder than necessary, which can shorten its lifespan.

Boiler care

Without a working boiler, you’ll be facing more cold showers throughout the winter. Edmonton boiler services are among the more important systems in your home and need extra care to stay running efficiently. Regular service and maintenance during the year will catch any major problems and prevent them from developing.

Before the winter, clean the air vents and flues so there are no blocks that can cause extra strain and higher bills. Visually inspect for any leaks like water pooling around the boiler or on any vents and pipe joints. Leaks can quickly develop into emergency repair situations, so avoid that by calling a professional. Over time, boilers develop a layer of sediment on the bottom of the boiler. That causes the boiler to work harder than necessary, decreases its efficiency, and shortens its lifespan. Regularly flushing the boiler will help wash away any residual sediment and should always be done before the winter.

Do DIY and professional

When it comes to preparing your heating system for winter, it never hurts to have two sets of eyes on the job. Both DIY checks and inspections throughout the year and professional help before winter are a great combination. You’ll be familiar enough with your system to know when something is wrong or not working properly. With boilers and Edmonton furnace tune ups, a professional should always be called in before winter for an inspection. They may notice things homeowners easily miss and then handle any minor repairs before they worsen. It may even be the case that your system could use an upgrade so that you save even more over the winter. Just like pre-winter maintenance helps save money and extends the lifespan of your heating system, the same goes for investing in professional services.

Need to prepare your heating system for the winter? Contact Richfield Heating and Plumbing today!

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