The temperature is dropping and the days are getting shorter. It’s time to winterize your home. Winterizing a house in Utah is not just for the sake of comfort, it also protects your home from damage caused by freezing temperatures.
Below are some recommendations from your local heating and cooling system specialists at Air Now Heating and Air Conditioning on how to prepare your heater for wintertime.
Preparing Your Heater for Wintertime
To help keep your heating and cooling system running smoother, longer, and without requiring repair work regularly there are a few actions you can take.
Here’s a list of things to check when preparing your furnace for the fall and winter months.
Change your air filters –
This is one of the most important things you can do to keep your furnace running smoothly. Your heating and cooling systems filter should be changed every three months. If you have pets or allergies, replace them more often. If your furnace has a bypass damper, clean it out too!
Check the gutters –
To prevent ice dams from forming, clean your gutters. Installing gutter guards and making sure your attic floor is properly insulated is also essential. For reference, the attic should be well-ventilated and about 10 degrees warmer than the temperature outside.
Clean the coils –
Clean and inspect your coils for damage, which can cause inefficient operation or failure of the unit. If you determine that they need to be replaced, contact a professional HVAC contractor for help with installation or repair.
Check the pilot light –
A pilot light is a small flame that heats up the gas flowing through a furnace. If it goes out, you could have an emergency situation on your hands. Cleaning or replacing this flame should be done at least once per year by a professional HVAC technician.
Set the thermostat to the heat setting –
This may sound obvious but make sure to turn the thermostat on and set it to the heat setting. After a minute you should hear the heater kick on. If you do not, make certain the wires are secure and the power source to the HVAC is also turned on. If this still doesn’t work, it’s time to contact Air Now Heating and Air Conditioning!
Test carbon monoxide gas detectors –
Checking your carbon monoxide detector is an important step every year, especially during cold weather months when we’re more apt to use our furnaces and fireplaces. Make sure it’s working properly and replace it if necessary. And don’t forget to test it regularly throughout the year by pushing the button on top; if it doesn’t go off, replace it immediately!
**To learn more on how to keep your home safe from carbon monoxide poisoning check out the CDC National Center for Environmental Health site.
How do you Winterize a House in Utah?
When winterizing your Utah home, or any home for that matter, insulation is the top priority. Make sure any common draft-producing locations are well-covered and sealed. Insulate where you can for living areas, and for leaky windows or doors, you can add in weatherstripping or caulk trouble spots.
Here are the main spots you’ll want to check:
- outside walls
- attics
- crawlspace
- basements
- windows
- and doorway entrances
Why is Winterizing your Home Important?
If you’re still wondering, why winterizing your home is important, let the staff at Air Now Heating and Air Conditioning in Layton break it down for you.
We are here to meet all of your heating and cooling system needs and can answer any questions you may have. Whether you are wondering why your central heater stopped working, or if you want to know if a gas or electric system is better for your home – we’ve got you covered!
So give us a call today at (385) 350-4114 and leave your heating and cooling concerns to us!
A Landlords Guide To A/C System Maintenance