Can you think of a worse time for your HVAC system to stop working than during the holiday season? Three Rivers, Texas, has relatively mild winters compared to other parts of the country. But you never know when a cold snap will hit. Whether your plans include throwing festive parties, hosting out-of-town relatives, or relaxing at home, a functioning HVAC system is vital. Follow these four steps to avoid an HVAC breakdown this holiday season:
Change Your Air Filter
One of the easiest things you can do to keep your HVAC system running smoothly is to change the air filter regularly. The general rule is to change your filter every 30 to 90 days. If have pets or someone in your family suffers from asthma or allergies, change it every monthly.
Schedule a Tune-up
Next, schedule a professional HVAC maintenance visit so that one of our NATE-certified service technicians can inspect your system. They’ll also clean dirty parts and make any necessary repairs. If a breakdown is looming, we can help you choose a replacement before your system quits.
Have Your Ducts Cleaned
Homeowners don’t need to think about their vents and ductwork often. However, ducts accumulate dust and debris over time. Your HVAC system has to work harder to blow air through dirty ducts, and that added strain can eventually lead to a breakdown. Therefore, it’s important to invest in duct cleaning every couple of year. As a result, you’ll lessen the strain on your system and prevent high energy bills.
Use Your Ceiling Fans
Another way to reduce the strain on your HVAC system and save energy is to use your ceiling fans to their full advantage. Most ceiling fans have a switch that you can adjust to change their direction. In the winter, have them rotate clockwise on a low setting to pull cold air toward the ceiling and push warm air down toward the floor. To save energy, make sure to turn the ceiling fans off in unoccupied rooms.
If heating repair or maintenance is on your holiday to-do list, give Bodine-Scott a call at (361) 883-9900. We’d be happy to take a look at your system, identify any issues, and make the adjustments needed to keep your system running smoothly this holiday season.
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