Owning a home comes with a host of responsibilities. From mowing the lawn to regular gutter cleaning, the list seems to never end. However, one thing that many Colorado Springs homeowners tend to overlook is the maintenance of heating systems installed in their homes.
Proper maintenance is essential to keeping your heating system running smoothly and efficiently. By following a regular maintenance schedule, you can extend the lifespan of your system, improve its performance, and save money on energy bills. Keep reading to learn more!
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What happens during Polar Bear’s maintenance of heating systems?
During the maintenance of heating systems, components such as the thermostat and system controls are checked for proper function. Moreover, all electrical connections are checked, we test all relays and safeties, we check every component to make sure it is operating within manufacturer specs. We check all motors and amp draws to ensure proper operation. We also perform a safety check for gas leaks, carbon monoxide, check the heat exchanger, venting, performa= a temperature rise test, and even check static pressures to ensure proper air flow.Finally, the condensate assembly and drain pan will be checked and cleaned when necessary. As you can see, at Polar Bear, we check for every possible issue to ensure you and your family start warm and safe without issue all winter long.
DIY Maintenance of Heating Systems
Though we here at Polar Bear Mechanical LTD always recommend hiring a professional to perform service on your home’s heating system, there are some easy things you can do. Here’s a look at the top three preventative maintenance tasks you can do to prepare your home for the winter.
Check and Replace Filters
As the temperatures in Colorado Springs drop, our furnaces kick into high gear. So, making sure your filters are checked and replaced regularly is paramount. You should check the filter at least once per month, especially in the winter. Depending on the type of filter you use, it may need to be replaced monthly, every six months, or every year.
Though it seems like a simple task, it’s an important step to properly maintaining your home’s heating system. Here are three reasons to always change your HVAC filter:
Prolongs Your System’s Life
Dirt, dead skin, hair, and pet dander accumulate in the filter over time, especially during times of peak use. This build-up can lead to restrictions of airflow that makes the air unable to pass through easily. When this occurs, the system works harder, and the home is not as comfortable and can overheat. When your HVAC system overheats, it can cause serious damage that may result in an expensive furnace and even AC repair.
Reduces Energy Costs
As we mentioned above, clogged air filters can cause your furnace to work harder. Often, this results in a sudden increase in energy usage. In fact, the Department of Energy suggests that heating should account for nearly half of your home’s average utility bills.
Electronic Air Filters
Healthy indoor air is essential for the health and safety of the home’s occupants. Poor indoor air quality can lead to symptoms like sneezing, respiratory problems, dizziness, and eye irritation, especially in those who suffer from allergies and asthma. Upgrading your air filter to an electronic air filter will prevent mold spores, dust, soot, dirt, allergens, and bacteria from building up inside your house. We recommend the Dynamic Air Filter. It comes with a lifetime warranty and is made in America! An electromagnetic air filter will also do a much better job of keeping your furnace and AC clean. Adding a lifetime warranty Dynamic Air purifier will give you further protection and kill harmful moldy, bacteria, and fungus in the system.
Keep the System Clean Inside and Out
Maintaining the cleanliness of your furnace is important for several reasons.
Indoors
Dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate in the furnace and block airflow, causing it to work harder to maintain the proper temperature. Hence, a dirty furnace can lead to reduced efficiency and higher energy bills inside your home. Even a small build-up on your blower motor can add high operating cost and wear and tear to your system.
To keep the inside of your furnace clean, consider hiring a professional to perform regular maintenance, which typically includes cleaning the burners and inspecting the air filter. It’s also a great idea for you to check indoor vents to ensure none of them are blocked with hair or other debris.
Outdoors
If you have a heat pump, your outdoor air conditioning unit will absorb heat from the air outside and move it inside to help heat your home! Keep anything from blocking airflow around the heat pump, and make sure there is no build-up on the fins like leaves, cottonwood, or pet hair.
Check Your Home for Other Issues
Though hiring a professional to conduct an energy assessment is always recommended, the U.S. Department of Energy suggests there are things homeowners can do themselves. Here’s a look at what you can do to save energy usage in your home:
Locate and Seal Air Leaks
Identifying and sealing air leaks in your home is an important step in preventing your heating system from working too hard. Air leaks can occur around windows and doors and in other areas such as electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, and along baseboards.
By sealing any identified air leaks, you can help to keep your heating system running more efficiently and reduce the risk of it overheating or breaking down.
Lower the Temperature
Lowering the temperature of your HVAC at night can help prevent it from overrunning and save money on bills. Many HVAC technicians recommend lowering the temperature by 8 degrees for the best results. This can result in significant savings, as every degree that you lower your thermostat can lead to up to 1% savings on heating bills.
Over the course of a year, these savings can add up significantly. So, consider setting your thermostat to 8 degrees lower at night to save money and prolong the life of your HVAC system.
Check Insulation Levels
Ensuring that your home has good insulation levels is vital for maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and reducing energy costs. Insulation helps to keep heat inside your home during the winter and outside during the summer, which can help to reduce the burden on your heating and cooling system.
To ensure that your home has sufficient insulation, you can check the levels in your attic, walls, and crawl spaces, as well as around windows and doors. If you notice that your home is drafty or your energy bills are higher than expected, it may be a sign that your insulation levels need to be improved. Adding or upgrading insulation can help improve your home’s energy efficiency and save you money on energy costs in the long run.
Why Hire Polar Bear for Maintenance of Heating Systems
In conclusion, hiring a professional to maintain your heating system is always recommended and all manufacturers require it to maintain the warranty. While it may be tempting to try to handle maintenance tasks on your own, a professional has the necessary expertise and experience to properly diagnose and fix any issues with your system. They will also be able to identify any potential problems before they become more serious and costly to repair, and your furnace leaves you without heat. In addition, a professional can perform maintenance tasks safely and efficiently, which can help reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. They will also check all the more technical components that a homeowner would be unable to check.
We here at Polar Bear are trusted providers of heating system maintenance services and can help to ensure that your system is running at its best. By hiring a professional to maintain your heating system, you can help to extend its lifespan and improve its efficiency, ultimately saving you money and hassle in the long run. At Polar Bear, we offer maintenance plans that will provide regularly scheduled maintenance appointments as well as free diagnostics if your system breaks down. Call us to set up an appointment, and remember ‘At Polar Bear, we care!’
