Winters can get rough, and it is unimaginable to spend an entire winter without a proper heating system.
There is no alternative to heaters if you want to live comfortably inside your home during winter.
However, since most of you only use your house heating system during the winter, you must maintain it properly.
Failure to maintain your heating system can lead to a lot of problems. You might have to spend quite some time without proper heating if the heater or boiler fails to work.
Besides, you might even need to replace the system completely if it is in a worse condition than you had initially thought.
So, to avoid all that, you have to maintain your home heating system. And here are some pro tips on how you can do that.
Maintaining the Boiler and the Heat Pump
Boiler maintenance is necessary to make sure that the system itself is working flawlessly and safely.
While gas leaks may be rare, you cannot compromise on safety. Thus, you will have to check in on these small details before firing up the heater once again. Fixing the boiler on your own is extremely difficult, which is why you would want someone with enough experience to repair the damages for you.
Clarkes Gas Services is one such company that can help you out with this. They have a reputation for boiler servicing and repairs and have all the necessary tools and personnel to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Their customers are more than satisfied with their service, and the customer reviews on their website suggest just that.
Clean or Replace Dirty Filters
Dirty air filters are hazardous to your health. They bring in dust and allergen into the house. These can cause serious harm, especially to those suffering from asthma or other breathing problems.
Hence, you need to change or clean the filters at least once every two months. You can simply clean them if you are doing a monthly check-up. In case you take your time with the filters or do not clean them regularly, you will have to replace them entirely.
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Clean the Ducts
While replacing or cleaning the filters, you might want to check in on the ducts inside the heating unit. Clean them at least once every two months for much smoother airflow and efficient heating.
When you look into the ducts, you should check for dirt, mold, nests of birds or bats, and so on. Before cleaning, cover up the supply registers so that dust does not enter the house.
Keep the fan on for some time to loosen up the dust particles. After that, cut the power to the system and clean it with a vacuum cleaner.
leaning the ducts on your own can get dangerous at times. Thus, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning service.
Lubricate Once a Year
Consider lubricating your HVAC unit at least once every year if it is an old model. Lubricating will not be necessary if you installed the system recently.
Lubricating the oil ports makes for a more efficient heating system. It improves the efficiency of the shaft which in turn helps produce more heat.
Without lubrication, not only will the system fail to produce the desired amount of heat, but it is more likely to lose its structural integrity a lot quicker.
Taking Care of the Outdoor Unit
Heat pumps have outdoor units that are there to maintain a smooth and continuous flow of air. And even if the units are not set completely outdoors, they still have intake or exchange vents there with fans for maintaining the airflow.
During winter, as the temperature drops, leaves start to fall. These leaves can accumulate near those outdoor vents and create a hindrance in the airflow. Besides, snow too can cause obstruction after a heavy snowstorm.
Ideally, it is best to have a two feet clearance area around the outdoor unit. It is best to keep this area clear of trees and bushes, or at least trip them properly.
Do not plant trees that give off excessive amounts of pollen as it can clog up the ducts from the outside. No matter how tidy the surroundings are, the metal fins and frame on your outdoor unit will still get a little dirty from time to time.
In such cases, you can simply use a water hose to clean it. Do not, however, use a pressure washer as it can cause heavy damage to the unit. A house heating system is an integral part of your home during winter.
Given that you will only be using it once a year, you must maintain it properly so that it can work at its full capacity when the time comes. And as long as you keep these tips in mind, you can rest assured that your heating system will last you a very long time.
