5 Tips for Preparing Your HVAC System For Winter

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5 Tips for Preparing Your HVAC System For Winter

Fall has truly arrived in Portland, Oregon, which means that another cool, wet Pacific Northwest winter isn’t far behind. Is your HVAC system ready to ramp up the heat? While heating your home will raise your electric bill over the winter, you can cut costs by ensuring that your HVAC unit is up to par. The experts at Integrity Air LLC offer 5 tips for preparing your HVAC system for winter in Portland.

1. Change Your Filter

Your air filter serves a couple of important purposes: keeping dust and debris out of your HVAC unit and filtering the air in your home. Replacing your air filter on a regular basis (at least quarterly but preferably monthly) will help extend the life of your HVAC unit, and prevent it from becoming clogged, which can decrease the efficiency of your unit.

2. Clean Your Air Ducts

Dust, allergens, and mold can accumulate in your air and heat ducts throughout the year, so have your ducts inspected on a regular basis to ensure that your HVAC system functions properly and efficiently. This will also help keep the air in your home as clean as possible. The fall is also a great time to make sure that nothing is blocking your air vents or returns that will force your system to work harder–such as furniture, objects, or clutter.

3. Update Your Thermostat

Your HVAC system and its thermostat are a team–the first cannot operate efficiently if the second one is slacking! Older mercury thermostats can be unreliable. Check to see if the temperature you’ve set on the thermostat reflects the actual temperature in your home. If not, it’s time to upgrade to a digital thermostat. Bonus: you can program your digital thermostat to maintain constant temps, turn off when you leave the house and turn on before you arrive home, saving you money when the electric bill rolls around.

4. Make Sure Insulation Is Adequate

Is the insulation in your home adequate to retain heat over the winter? In addition to your home’s insulation, you’ll need to also inspect the insulation around your ductwork. Improperly insulated ducts can lead to heat loss, meaning your HVAC unit will have to work overtime to maintain your desired temperature–costing you more bucks.

5. Schedule Regular Inspections and Maintenance

Be sure to schedule a thorough HVAC inspection with a trusted HVAC service long before winter hits! No one wants to get stuck in the cold waiting for a heating repair, so don’t wait until it happens. Regular maintenance and inspections can catch little problems before they become big ones. Call the trusted HVAC technicians at Integrity Air LLC to schedule an inspection today, then rest easy and warm all winter long.

Give Integrity a call today (503) 598-0966.