Are you gearing up for March Madness by inviting family and friends over for a party? Before you start making a guest list and menu, ask yourself if your HVAC system is ready for houseguests and the fluctuating March temperatures. Dealing with furnace breakdowns at the last minute can be expensive and stressful. Here are some tips to get your heating and cooling system ready before you plan your celebration.
Tip #1: Schedule Preventative Maintenance
The most important tip to keep your system healthy and prevent furnace breakdowns is to schedule preventative maintenance. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers affordable maintenance plans conveniently with your busy schedule. Regular maintenance keeps your system clean, catches malfunctions early and extends the life of your equipment. Ensuring your system is kept healthy increases energy efficiency and saves you money on your monthly energy bill.
Tips #2: Change the Filter
One of the easiest ways you can prevent furnace breakdowns is by changing your furnace filter on a regular basis. The filter is responsible for catching any dust, dirt or debris in your air before it is circulated throughout your home. When the filter is dirty or clogged, it can’t properly filter the air and the dirt and dust reduce the airflow in your system. Restricted airflow forces your system to work harder and puts unnecessary stress on your HVAC system, creating higher energy bills.
Tip #3: Clean the Outdoor Unit
Most people forget about their outdoor unit, which can lead to malfunctions in the spring. Inspect the area around the outdoor unit for debris, such as leaves, twigs and branches. Check the exterior for damage from hail and winter storms. Debris on your unit and around it can interfere with the airflow and cause the unit to overheat. If you notice a layer of dust and dirt on the top of the coils, gently hose them off with water. If you notice a rodent or pest seeking shelter inside the outdoor unit, call Douglas Cooling & Heating to have the unit inspected. A pest infestation can lead to chewed wiring and damaged components. An HVAC repair is your safest bet to avoid HVAC failure this spring.
Tip #4: Schedule Ductwork Inspection
Before you get your March Madness party started, schedule an inspection of your ductwork. Our HVAC technicians will clean your ducts, vents and registers. If there are any air leaks found during the inspection, we will properly seal them to promote energy savings this spring and promote healthy airflow throughout your ductwork. Clean ducts free of leaks help your thermostat achieve accurate readings, also helping prevent furnace breakdowns.
Tip #5: Check Thermostat Settings
Thermostat settings can either make or break your HVAC system’s performance. When the thermostat settings are too high or low for the season, it puts extra stress on your unit. A furnace constantly kicking on when the outside weather is warm wastes energy and adds wear and tear to the components. A system always in use eventually experiences furnace breakdowns, which become costly to fix every time.
Tip #6: Upgrading to a Smart Thermostat
If you have an old thermostat now is time to upgrade to a smart, programmable thermostat for your March Madness party. Smart thermostats increase energy savings by boosting your HVAC system’s efficiency. You have more control over your temperature settings due to Wi-Fi capabilities between the smart thermostat and your smartphone, tablet or other Wi-Fi devices, as well as the thermostat’s learning capabilities for ideal comfort control. Energy reports are sent via email to share your heating and cooling system’s energy usage and suggest where savings can be achieved with your HVAC system. Smart thermostats even provide reminders to schedule maintenance and change filters. Alerts are sent when there is a problem with your unit so an HVAC repair can be scheduled quickly.
For more information about upgrading to a smart thermostat, call Douglas Cooling & Heating to speak with one of our NATE-certified technicians. We will suggest the best thermostat for your HVAC system and your home.
Save your money for snacks and prevent furnace breakdowns during your March Madness party by scheduling maintenance with Douglas Cooling & Heating. Our NATE-certified technicians are experienced and will deliver exceptional service every time. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating today!
