Heating And AC Repair: How To Better Prepare For The Winter | Azle, TX
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Heating costs tend to rise during winter as homeowners will be indoors most of the time. Thankfully, there are things homeowners can do to lower energy costs while still keeping warm. In this article, you’ll find 18 ways to help you better prepare for winter. If you need additional help especially with your heating, don’t forget to hire heating and AC repair.
Below, we have also included other helpful tips that will keep you warm without having to rely on your heater all the time. Sometimes, you need to give your HVAC system a break as it would help extend its lifespan and improve its efficiency. Most importantly, it avoids costly heating and AC repair.
1. Hire a Professional to Check Your Furnace
Before winter, contact a heating and AC repair in Azle, TX for a thorough inspection of your furnace. This will ensure that it will run efficiently during winter. A licensed technician will inspect all of the components of your furnace or boiler to check if it’s in good working order. They will repair whatever needs to be repaired. Your heating and AC repair company will make sure that you won’t experience any problems during the winter.
When hiring a heating and AC repair company, make sure that their technicians are licensed and highly experienced. You need a professional who has years of experience servicing furnaces and boilers. Don’t hesitate to contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth for heating and AC repair or installation needs. Our technicians will ensure that every problem is resolved.
2. Clean the Fireplace
Do you use your fireplace more than six times annually? If you do, make sure that you hire a certified chimney sweep in Azle, TX to have it professionally inspected and cleaned. A built-up of soot and creosote can be dangerous for your home. Homeowners who do not use their fireplace should still have it inspected every three years.
3. Insulate the Pipes
An exposed pipe in the winter is a potential hazard for your home. When the temperature is really low, the water inside your pipes can freeze. If it’s not thawed, they will likely burst. You can avoid this problem when you protect your pipes with good insulation. You can either get insulation at a hardware store or hire a professional in Azle, TX who can help you.
4. Check Downpipes and Gutters
Clear all leaves and debris to prevent blockages during heavy snow or rain. Make sure that you replace gutters that are cracked to avoid further problems during winter.
5. Insulate Your Home
There are several benefits to insulating your home during winter. The insulation will keep the heat inside your home. This means that your furnace will not have to work hard to provide you with enough heat. You can avoid heating and AC repair in Azle, TX when your system does not overwork.
Another benefit is the energy savings every month. Because heat doesn’t escape outside, that means that you use up less energy in heating your home. The 3rd benefit is, you are helping the environment. You are reducing your carbon footprint by using less energy in your homes.
6. Inspect the Tree Branches
Before winter comes, inspect your entire property and look for tree branches that are growing over the garage, driveway, powerlines or directly over your house. If there’s a storm, chances are these branches may cause damage to your home. You need to also make sure that they do not rub together as that could lead to breakage. Also – look for signs of dead limbs or spots where mushrooms have suddenly sprouted. Call a professional if you need help.
7. Drain Your Sprinklers
Are you using an outdoor sprinkler system? Then it’s best to remove residual water before the winter comes. Otherwise, they may freeze and crack the pipes. To drain the sprinkler, you will need help from an irrigation contractor. You can do this yourself but make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Clean the Ducts
The EPA recommends that homeowners clean the air ducts only when there is visible mold, insect infestation or excessive dust. You don’t have to clean your air ducts during winter but you need to check whether air is leaking out of your ducts. You can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system and avoid heating and AC repair costs when you seal the air ducts. Contact a heating and AC repair company for assistance.
9. Check the Roof
Call a contractor to check your roof before winter. A roof inspection can avoid potential issues like a leaky roof. While you can do the inspection yourself, it’s always better to have a professional help you to ensure that everything is properly fixed or sealed. A leaky roof may affect the efficiency of your HVAC system. You can avoid costly heating and AC repair by fixing your roof as soon as possible.
10. Bundle Up
You don’t have to crank up the heat during winter. Try wearing another layer of clothing so you feel warmer. A sweater made with wool can help you feel warmer. Also, avoid walking barefoot during the winter as that will only make you feel a lot colder. Wear some cozy socks and bring a blanket with you to keep you warm while reading a book or watching a movie. Try sipping some hot drinks to make you feel even warmer.
11. Close Unused Rooms
If there are unused rooms in your home, make sure that they are closed during winter. There is no need to heat them or you will get higher heating bills. Your HVAC will not have to work harder if it’s only heating a smaller space. You can avoid costly heating and AC repair down the road when your heating is not overused.
Consider also closing the vents in the unused rooms so that the warm air coming from the ducts does not travel through them. When closing the doors, make sure they are tightly sealed or closed by tucking a draft blocker at the base.
12. Bake at Home
Your HVAC can take a break if you have another alternative way of heating your home. Instead of buying food outside, consider baking during winter and do not close your oven after using it. That should somehow warm up your kitchen.
13. Turn Down the Thermostat
Lowering your thermostat by 10 degrees can help you save about 10% on your heating bills annually. If you use an electric blanket, turn down your thermostat before bedtime and when you leave for work. This way your HVAC won’t have to work hard all the time. It doesn’t only extend its lifespan but it also prevents costly heating and AC repair costs.
14. Consider Rearranging Your Furniture
Apart from aesthetic benefits, moving your furniture around can also significantly improve the airflow in your area. This means that the heat coming from the vents is evenly distributed in your room. Avoid placing bookcases, couches and other appliances in front of the heating vents as that would only block the airflow. Move them away so the heat is distributed evenly.
If your furniture is blocking the airflow, your system may work hard to provide enough heat in the other areas of the home. If it keeps doing this, it won’t be long when you need to call for heating and AC repair.
15. Reverse the Fan
Most homeowners will use their heating during winter and this usually means higher heating bills. You can be smarter than this; there are other ways to still stay a little warmer during the winter without turning on your heater. If you want to save on heating costs, consider using the fan and reverse it.
In the summer, your fan will work counterclockwise so that it pushes air downward and gives you a cooler breeze. You can do the same thing in the winter but you will have to reverse the direction of your ceiling fan. By reversing it in a clockwise direction, the fan’s blades will create updrafts, helping to move hot air downward and giving you a warmer home.
By being smart with your ceiling fan, you not only save more money on your heating but also help your HVAC. By not using it constantly, your HVAC can rest. Keep in mind that when your HVAC is overworked, it may lead to you calling for heating and AC repair in Azle, TX.
16. Use Insulated Curtains
Apart from sealing the leaks in your windows, there are window treatments that can significantly lower your heating bills in the winter. By using insulated curtains, you save energy by reducing heat loss and drafts. You can maximize energy savings by buying curtains that include either high-density foam insulation or acrylic and then a reflective film to direct the heat into your space. During the day, make sure you take advantage of solar heating by keeping your windows open. At night when the temperatures go down, close the curtains so you could retain the heat in the room.
Insulated curtains do not just help you save on energy bills, they are also effective at blocking outside noises. Contact a heating and AC repair company in Azle, TX if you need additional help on how to winterize your home or if you are having problems with your central heating.
17. Close the Damper
We all know that warm air rises. During the winter, make sure that this warm air doesn’t escape your home through your chimneys. That’s right – while you’re getting cozy by the fireplace, you are also allowing warm air inside to escape to your chimney. At the same time, cold air also passes through from the chimneys. Thankfully, there are ways to avoid this. If you do not use your fireplace, the best thing you can do is to seal your chimney to avoid heat loss during winter. Without sealing the chimney, your HVAC will have to work hard to give you the comfort that you need. It could lead to more heating and AC repair in Azle, TX. Also, you will be paying more on your heating bills when you do not seal the chimneys.
Do you use the fireplace? If you do — make sure that the damper is sealed tightly so heat doesn’t escape. Seal it when you do not have a fire going. Opening the damper is just like having an open window. Heat escapes and you pay more for heating.
If you need help with heating and AC repair in Azle, TX, don’t forget to contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth.
18. Lower the Water Heater Temperature
When you just got your water heater installed, it’s probably already set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. While this temperature is hot enough, we don’t really need water that hot. If you constantly use your water heater at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, your energy bills will rise. Setting it to 10 degrees lower reduces your bills to up to 5%. This can add up every month, and that’s up a lot of savings in a year.
Another benefit of lowering the temperature of your water heater is efficiency. By keeping down sediment build-up and corrosion, your water heater will run efficiently. For your dishwashers, it should be set to 140 degrees.
Get in Touch With One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth
Do not hesitate to call us if you need any help with heating and AC repair in Azle, TX. Our technicians are always ready to help you, at your most convenient time. We can help you with repairs, installations and maintenance of your central system, furnace or your air conditioner. Contact us today for an appointment.