Florida may not have the coldest winters, but if you’re caught without heat when the temperatures dip, you’ll realize why heater maintenance is important. As winter begins to set in, you need to make sure your heater is in good condition by practicing heater maintenance tips to get you through the cold months.
Remember, your heater is responsible for keeping you and your family warm when winter’s chill sets in. Especially if you have children or pets, it’s essential that you take care of your heating system!
In this easy guide, we’ll discuss 5 heater maintenance tips that every homeowner needs to know.
1. Check Your Filter Regularly
It’s essential to make sure your air handler filter or furnace filter is clean and free of any debris. Over time, dirt, dust, and pet dander can
accumulate in the filter, reducing your system’s efficiency and your indoor air quality.
The build-up of debris can even lead to the air handler straining because it’s unable to draw air in.
This is one of the most critical heater maintenance tips because a build-up of debris means the fans and the inner systems can overheat and become damaged. It can lead to expensive repair bills or full replacement of your heater.
The last thing you want during the coldest winter months is to need a complete heater replacement.
Instead, keep your heater running smoothly by replacing the filter every 90 days. Check the filter every month or so to ensure you don’t have too much built-up over the surface.
House cleaning, home renovation, and owning multiple pets can reduce the amount of time your filter can last.
2. Test the Thermostat (The easiest heater maintenance tip!)
Testing your heater’s thermostat is another crucial maintenance task you should always remember. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure you check it regularly and ensure it’s set to the correct temperature.
Use an infrared thermometer to check that temperatures are accurate.
By checking the temperature this way, you’re identifying whether the thermostat is working correctly. If the temperatures don’t match up, then it’s time to replace your thermostat before you wake up chilled to the bone!
This is the easiest of heater maintenance tips because you can test it in a few minutes. Any room thermometer should accurately tell you if your thermostat is recording the right temperature.
3. Clean around the Heater
Hand in hand with tip #1, you should always clean the area around your heater with a vacuum or broom to ensure no obstructions can block airflow.
You can also use this time to check the area around your heater for additional risks.
Is it dry? Is there mold? Do you see moisture?
If you notice rust or corrosion, make sure to take care of it immediately before it becomes a bigger problem down the line. Rust is the decomposition of metal; if it’s not remedied, it will break down the metal until it’s brittle and crumbly!
A small metal brush or steel wool is all you usually need to remove a little rust.
4. Check for Gas Leaks
If you’re using a natural gas heater, it’s essential you check for carbon monoxide leaks on a regular basis. You can do this by using a solution of soapy water and applying it around the heater’s pipes.
If there’s a leak, the bubbles will indicate where it is. You should also make sure that all pilot lights are lit and that you have carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home.
Make sure you take care of any gas leaks as soon as possible, as these can be incredibly dangerous to your health and a potentially fatal fire hazard.
5. Schedule Professional Maintenance
Finally, scheduling regular heater maintenance with a professional is always a smart idea.
It’s all well and good performing these tips yourself, but nothing comes close to using a professional maintenance service.
The professional heating and cooling contractors at Action Air Conditioning are experts. They have an eye for the details and will check for issues while they give your heater a full tune-up.
This process may seem unnecessary, but it’s needed to ensure that your system is energy efficient and safe. When you schedule regular maintenance before winter in Florida, you can rest assured that your heater saves you money!
Not only will a well-maintained heater have a longer lifespan, but it will also save you on your energy bills.
Do You Need Heater Maintenance in the Tampa Bay Area?
Taking care of your HVAC system or heat pump is essential to keep it running correctly throughout the colder months. Follow these heater maintenance tips so your heater stays in top shape and you can stay cozy all winter long in your Florida home.
Contact us today at Action Air Conditioning, and we’ll book your heater for the check-up it needs to get you through the winter properly.
Don’t wait until it’s too late—make heater maintenance a priority today!