The holidays bring much to consider, but caring for our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems often gets left off the list.
As winter weather makes its way to North Texas, ensuring that your HVAC system is functioning optimally is important. This will not only help to keep you comfortable but also potentially save you money on energy bills.
Take Care of Texas, a statewide campaign from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, has some useful advice for preparing for the upcoming cold temperatures. With six simple tips to check off your list, you can ensure your HVAC system is ready to handle the temperature changes.
REPLACE AIR FILTERS
Keeping your system running smoothly can be achieved by doing one of the easiest and most essential things – cleaning the filters. The presence of dust, pet hair, and debris in the filters can make your HVAC system work harder than necessary. If not replaced regularly, clogged filters can cause significant damage to the system, which can be expensive and troublesome to fix.
RESET THE THERMOSTAT
Most of us have experienced the struggle of trying to find the right household temperature while not draining our pocketbooks. According to Take Care of Texas, it is recommended that thermostats in the winter be set to 68 degrees when you are at home and 65 degrees when you are away or sleeping.
A programmable thermostat is ideal as it does the remembering for you, saving money and energy.
CHECK DUCTWORK FOR LEAKS
Duct tape is renowned for its versatility, but who knew it could also be useful in maintaining your HVAC system? Like clogged filters, leaks make your system work extra hard, hiking your heating bill.
To check for leaks in ductwork, take an incense stick or a smoke pencil and slowly move it over the ductwork. If you observe the smoke blowing away, it is an indication that there is a leak in that specific area. Patch these areas with duct tape.
OPEN AND UNBLOCK ALL VENTS
Having closed or blocked air vents can potentially damage ductwork. Although it is a common practice to close vents of less frequented spaces during the summer months, it is recommended to open all vents to allow air to circulate as intended by the system. Also, remove any furniture or objects blocking floor and wall vents.
BLEACH YOUR CONDENSATION DRAIN LINE
It is possible to clear any blockages in your drain line by pouring a cup or two of bleach down it. The moist environment inside the drain line causes bacteria and mold to grow, which can lead to clogs. Typically, this task is done during the warmer months when the air conditioner is running and producing condensation, but in Texas, where we experience fluctuations between hot and cold temperatures throughout the fall, this may not always be the case.
When pouring bleach, it is essential to exercise caution. If you’re not comfortable using bleach, you can try using vinegar instead.
SCHEDULE A FURNACE TUNEUP
HVAC systems should be maintained by professionals who perform basic cleaning, lubrication of moving parts, adjustment of fan belts, tightening of electrical connections, and other related tasks. It is recommended that such professional services be scheduled twice a year.
On a larger scale, Texas power grid officials have stated that they are well-prepared for the upcoming winter season. They claim to have implemented new programs and protocols specifically designed to prevent unexpected power outages, which have been a significant problem during past winter seasons in the state, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
