It’s important to run down a list of maintenance checks to make sure your home is safe before the cold weather arrives. After all, when it comes to safety, you don’t want to take any shortcuts. That’s why we’ve compiled a list for HVAC system cold-weather safety.

Know Your System

Which type of heating system do you have in your home?  You may have an oil furnace, a heat pump, or a gas furnace. If you have an emergency heat setting on your thermostat, the chances are that you have a heat pump.

4 Things to Check Right Now

Make sure that the heat will kick in when you need it.

Familiarize yourself with your thermostat. Typically, thermostats can be set to cool, heat, or auto. If your home is set to “auto” then the heat will kick in when the weather gets cold enough. In the past, we’ve received calls about the heat not coming on, and sometimes a simple switch of the thermostat can do the trick.

Change your air filter.

There are many reasons to keep your air filter clean – indoor air quality and HVAC system efficiency are two of those reasons. It’s likely that your air filter should be changed every 1-3 months, or every 6 months for more elaborate systems. If you receive maintenance from Frederick Air then we will check the air filter whenever we come to your residence [Read: How to Improve the Efficiency of Your HVAC System]

Get a working CO2 detector.

If you use a fossil fuel system (oil or gas) inside your home, please make sure that you have a working CO2 detector that will sound an audible alarm if something is wrong. We cannot smell carbon monoxide, which is why it is so dangerous. Prevent a tragedy by installing a detector or testing your existing detector.

Ensure there’s no debris in or near your unit.

During the fall, leaves and branches can fall near your unit and block its airflow. Create at least a 2-foot clearance between your unit and the brush. That will also give our technicians enough space to do a thorough inspection.

Schedule your winter maintenance.

A maintenance visit is more than just looking at the air filter. We test every piece of equipment and review how the system is functioning as a whole. Here’s a look at everything we do during an HVAC maintenance appointment.

Conclusion

While you’re preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas, make sure that you are also preparing a safe winter home for your loved ones. An inspection of your HVAC system is the best way to ensure that your unit will work properly throughout the cold weather months. Give us a call at 301-663-0300 to schedule your maintenance visit or click here to book online.