6 Simple Steps to Prepare Your HVAC System for the Winter Season

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6 Simple Steps to Prepare Your HVAC System for the Winter Season

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During the winter season, Pittsburgh is a winter wonderland. Just last month, we were gripped with sub-zero temperatures and the cold weather conditions continue. With temperatures still on the low, many of us find our utility bills going way up. This is mostly because of heating costs. But if you were able to prepare your HVAC system early on and maintained it properly, you can bring down your energy usage plus make your HVAC system last longer.

The winter season may  be almost over (we dearly hope that it won’t extend even for a day) but winter comes every year. If you were not able to prepare your HVAC system this year, here are some tips on how you can prepare it for the next winter season.

How to Prepare Your HVAC Unit for the Colder Months

Perform Checks on Your HVAC System

Many HVAC systems can last for as long as 2 decades before needing replacement. You should closely examine your HVAC unit to see if it is still efficient and properly functioning. If you find that it is no longer functioning as it should, give a Pittsburgh HVAC company a call and have it replaced with an HVAC unit that suits your home’s needs. For sure this will seem like a large cost initially but in the long run, an HVAC unit that is functioning properly and efficiently will save you money plus it will make your home warmer and safer.

And Get the Checks Done Ahead of the Winter Season

See to it that you give your HVAC system a check ahead of the winter season. You would want to avoid finding out that you need a new unit during the winter season. Remember that the winter season is the busiest for most Pittsburgh HVAC companies. You can end up waiting for days in your home trying to bear the freezing temperatures before you get someone to install a new HVAC unit in your home.

Remember to Clean Or Change Your Filter When Needed

Cleaning the filter every month will help keep your HVAC unit functioning at optimum level. Your HVAC unit will at one point need a new filter. Sometimes all your HVAC unit needs to start working properly again is a new filter. You might want to consider getting a reusable filter as with just a good rinse you can use it again just like new.

Say Goodbye to Your Old Thermostat

Older thermostat models that use mercury can give inaccurate readings. You may think that you have set your home temperature to what you think is warm enough but with a mercury thermostat it usually means that the heat is more than the temperature you were aiming for. This means that you are using unnecessary electricity which in money language translates to higher bills. A digital thermostat is more ideal since it reads temperature levels accurately. You can also program it so the heating is turned on before you get back home and turned off automatically when you leave your  home.

Don’t Forget to Clean and Inspect the Heating Ducts

For your HVAC unit to function efficiently and give your home a fresh, clean air, don’t forget to regularly clean the heating ducts. You should also make sure that you check the ducts for punctures, dents, and disconnected parts. Any damage in the ducts can raise your bills up. You would not like the idea of wasted warm air blowing away most of your hard-earned money. You should also see to it that your heating ducts are properly insulated to avoid air from escaping.

Consult a Pittsburgh HVAC Company or Contractor

If you don’t know how to perform the necessary checks for your HVAC unit or you’re having a  hard time doing these checks on your own, or perhaps you just don’t have the time for it, it is best to consult a Pittsburgh HVAC company or contractor for this job. Aside from performing these maintenance checks, these professionals can also inspect the belts, motors and electrical switches of your HVAC system.  It is best to schedule an appointment with them before the cold winds start blowing as most  companies have busy schedules during the winter season.

Before Pittsburgh becomes a winter wonderland next year, remember to get your HVAC system ready!

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The Most Common Culprits of Costly Heating Repairs

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The Most Common Culprits of Costly Heating Repairs

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Come winter time, Pittsburgh experiences sub freezing temperatures. But thanks to properly functioning heating systems, many homes and offices are kept warm and toasty. However, here’s one thing to keep in mind – Your heating system is not immortal. Just like any other equipment, it is bound to wear out and stop functioning properly. There are hundreds of reasons as to why a home or office heating system breaks down and most of these reasons are very common to both home and office owners. Good thing is there are professional Pittsburgh heating repair companies or contractors that can fix this problem.

To avoid costly heating repairs and keep your heating system functioning properly preventative maintenance is your best weapon. In addition to this, being able to identify and spot common heating problems, can save you a hefty amount of money in the long run.

Here are some of the more common culprits of heating  problems.

  • Airflow trouble – Improper air flow is caused by bearing, belts, and fan motors that are already worn out. If your furnace is overheating or you are experiencing improper heating controls, this can indicate that your unit has air flow problems,

  • Basic mechanical wear and tear – Your furnace or your heating system relies on numerous mechanical components that are essential for it to function properly. Wear and tear on any of these mechanical components can cause your heating system to perform poorly. Poor airflow, overheating of the furnace, and improper heating controls are telltale signs of this heating repair problem.

  • Dirty or clogged air filters – This is perhaps the culprit that results to more heating problems than any other issue. If you do not clean your filters regularly or haven’t changed them at all, you are bound to run into some heating issues. The irony here is this issue is the cheapest and easiest to fix. Clogged and dirty filters causes your heating system to work harder as it should since airflow is restricted. You end up having to bear the not so toasty temperatures in your home and a higher electricity bill. If you want to avoid this, make it a point to clean your filters at least once a month or have them replaced when needed. It’s a very simple solution that will save you a lot of trouble.

  • Not enough heating – Here’s one thing that all homeowners or office owners must not fail to do. Monitor your heating system from the very first day you use it. If you don’t regularly  monitor your heating system it can cut down your system’s general life expectancy or worse breakdown really early on. Clogged filters, faulty thermostats, and musty odors coming from the system are early signs of neglect that can lead to insufficient heating or worse.

  • Thermostat malfunction – Your thermostat is what controls and determines how much heat is produced by the heating system and when heat is needed. If your thermostat is malfunctioning it can cause intermittent heating, not enough warm air circulating throughout your home or office or worse, no heat at all.

  • No preventative maintenance – As mentioned earlier, you can save yourself a lot of heating problems and hefty costs of heating repairs by doing preventative maintenance. However, not many homeowners give importance to this. Most of us only react when there is already a problem. We can put the blame on our “reactive thinking on many things such as a busy schedule, forgetfulness, or we can even say we are just born this way, programmed to react, but we can change this. You can put reminders on your calendar or your smart phone for preventative maintenance of your heating system. By constantly practicing preventive maintenance you’ll get used to the idea and  it will become a part of your regular routine. If you don’t  have the knowledge, time or you want to make sure that everything is done properly, you can call on a professional Pittsburgh heating repair company or contractor to take care  of the preventative maintenance of your heating unit.

Keep your home or office warm all winter long and avoid costly heating repair bills by ensuring that your heating system is functioning properly. Call on a professional Pittsburgh heating repair company or contractor to fix heating issues before the cold season starts. And don’t forget to schedule a preventative maintenance on your heating system.

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How to Keep Your Home Warm for the Winter

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How to Keep Your Home Warm for the Winter

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With our winter season getting colder and colder keeping warm will remain our biggest concern. So how can you make your feel home warmer this cold (and still getting colder) season? The obvious answer is to crank up your heater. But this would also mean your bills climbing up the roof. Here are some winterization tips that would keep your home warm without drilling a hole in your pocket.

Tips for Keeping Your Home Warm During Winter

1. Cover Door Drafts

Did you know that drafts can actually waste 5% to 30% of your energy use? That is a staggering figure and this figure comes from the U.S. Department of Energy. So imagine cranking up your heater only to lose 5% -30% of the heat. Your drafty doors can be the very reason that you need to keep on turning up your heater in the first place. So how do you do this? Here’s a simple solution that comes from the Great Depression times – the draft snake. Simply roll up some towels and place one under each of your drafty doors.

2. Remember to Clean (or Change) Furnace Filters

Many of us forget about cleaning (or even replacing those that need replacing) furnace filters at least once a month during the winter season. Here’s why cleaning furnace filters is very important. Filters filled with dirt and debris block off airflow therefore restricting the furnace’s heating capability which in turn increases energy demand.  To avoid forgetting about your furnace filters, mark a day in your calendar for cleaning them or set up an alarm on your smartphone.

3. Install Storm Doors and Windows

Storm doors can seal drafts and bring down air flow which brings up energy efficiency to 45%. Another great benefit of storm doors is that they allow light and ventilation to come in your home. When choosing your storm doors, it is best to opt for Energy Star-certified models.

When the cold, cold winds start huffing and puffing, you will be thankful (not to mention all warm)  that you had your storm windows out of your shed or attic and already installed. See to it that each of your storm windows are safely shut as they won’t help that much in keeping your home warm if you left them in their up position.

4. Regular Tune-up of Your Heating System is a Must

To make sure that your heating system is running without a hitch, a regular tune-up is in order. You need to make sure that your furnace is kept clean, well-lubricated and adjusted properly. Not only will a regular tune-up ensure that your home is a warm haven during the colder months, it will also cut down energy use and give you up to 5% savings on heating costs.

Here’s the great news. Most utilities actually offer a free yearly check-ups done by skilled and qualified technicians. The trick is to set up an appointment early on as HVAC crews are in high demand once the colder months start.

Remember these tips so your home stays warm and toasty when the weather gets icy.

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