Prepping Your Home for Columbus Winter

With winter approaching, it’s time to prep your HVAC system to accommodate the extra burden of keeping your home warm without draining your bank account. The fall months are the prime time to make sure your central heating system is in sound and safe working order. There’s nothing worse than having the heat go out during a snowstorm, when travel is hazardous, and HVAC technicians are in short supply. Here are some steps you can take to ensure you don’t find yourself in such a predicament.

Change Your Filters

This is a very common task that homeowners frequently forget or neglect. Dirty furnace filters impede airflow, which causes your furnace to work harder, thus driving up your fuel costs. In a worst-case scenario, dirty furnace filters can cause your furnace to overheat and fail. Furnace filters are inexpensive and a quick DIY project practically any homeowner can complete. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for how frequently you should change the furnace filters. If you have several pets in the home, you may need to change the filters more often.

Schedule a Furnace or Heat Pump Tune-up

Regular maintenance of your heating system can head off any small issues before they balloon into major (and expensive) repairs. A professional HVAC technician will inspect your system to make sure all components are clean and in good working order before the cold weather hits.

Replace Aging Systems

If your furnace is 20 years old (or older), you may seriously want to consider replacing it. Trying to help an old furnace limp along with Band-Aid repairs isn’t serving any purpose other than to prolong the inevitable. A new, more energy-efficient system will keep your home warmer, require fewer repairs, and lower your fuel costs.

Seal Windows and Doors

You would be surprised by how much warm air escapes from leaking windows and doors. Check around your windows and doors to see where there are gaps and seal them with weather stripping or caulk. You can also stuff throw rugs or door stoppers along the bottoms of your doors to prevent drafts.

Test Your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

October is National Fire Prevention Month and it’s a good time to test and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Atlas Butler Can Help Get Your Home Ready for Winter

The HVAC pros at Atlas Butler are here to help you prepare your home for winter. To schedule a furnace or heat pumptune-up, contact us at 1-800-FURNACE. We can also discuss your options for a new system if you're ready for a furnace replacement. Want to save on seasonal HVAC maintenance? Ask about Atlas Butler’s three-tiered Comfort Club membership and receive discounts on parts and service.