Have yourself a merry Christmas by getting your homes ready for the busy and wintry holidays. There’s nothing like making your guests feel warm and cozy and, in turn, having undesired stress into your lives. Because of the busy preparations to pick decorations, install lightings and decide menus, we oftentimes forget an important aspect of keeping everything in tip-top shape: our HVAC systems.
Here are a few weighty things you should give attention to before the festive occasion begins:
Clean the HVAC system.
Check the outdoor units for dirt, dust, and other jammed elements that could impair your HVAC units. Remove them and wipe the surface clean. Thorough cleaning is best left to the experts. We need constant heating in our homes, but energy efficiency is essential, too.
Replace filters if needed.
A simple replacement of filters can make your heaters and air conditioning units perform much better. Dirty filters obstruct the flow of air in your homes. Good filters will improve air flow and quality and remove pollutants circulating in the air. Airborne particles like dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and viruses like the Covid-19 can float in the air for a period of time, especially in enclosed spaces. Winter may not allow us the luxury of opening windows and doors, so a good filter can reduce the concentration of particles, even the Covid-19 virus and, thus, lower the risk of transmission.
Inspect for cracks on windows, doors and other openings in your house.
Particularly during the cold season, we won’t be able to open doors and windows for ventilation that easily. Check for damaged caulks in the windows and replace the caulking immediately. Inspect for cracks in your door and seal them as well. Use a door sweep to fill the gap along the bottom of doors. Any air leaks can decrease the effectiveness of your HVAC system.
Seal the ducts.
Air inside ducts will leak out if the ducts in your system have holes on them or if the joints are loose. Seal holes, slits, or loose joints with a proper duct sealant.
Regulate the thermostat.
Although it is the cold season, extra guests in your house will bring in more heat indoors. Turning up your thermostat may not really be necessary. For family members or guests who might still feel a bit chilly, you can provide for them blankets, socks, warmers or thermal underwear. You save on energy and protect the environment.
Mind your decorations.
Electrical ornaments and decorations when placed near your heating systems may cause fire accidents, so keep them at a safe distance. Don’t place them near thermostats, either, since they can generate heat and confuse the sensors of your thermostats.
Let a professional evaluate your HVAC systems.
There’s nothing like having experienced people do the checking for you. They know what to look for and what areas to examine to do a fast evaluation. Hiring a professional will give you tranquility of mind that your HVAC system will be doing its best performance over the busy holidays.