Your HVAC system works best with regular maintenance, which includes seasonal tasks such as winterizing. Having a plan can make the process less intimidating and will ensure that none of these tasks are forgotten.
As for when to winterize your home, it’s a good idea to take care of these tasks in early to mid-fall so that they’re done by the time chilly weather sets in. This way, if you find that there are any repairs that need to be made, you’ll have plenty of time to schedule the work before winter.
General Winterization Tips
Here in Florida, we don’t generally have to worry about snow and ice like our northern friends and family do. However, there are still a few things to do around the house before winter:
- Clean the gutters. This ensures that they drain properly, which reduces the chance of water damage to your roof and other parts of your home.
- Prune palm trees. If palm trees are making a mess of your yard, fall is an excellent time to have them pruned.
- Seal any holes or cracks. No one wants rodents or other pests in their house and plugging up any openings will keep them outside, where they belong.
- Check window and door seals. Caulk any gaps and replace worn weatherstripping.
- Switch the direction of your ceiling fans. This pushes warmer air down, which will make your home more comfortable on chillier days.
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How to Winterize Your HVAC System
There are also a few important steps to take when winterizing your HVAC system. Taking care of these things before cold weather sets in ensures that your system will work as efficiently as possible and that your home will stay comfortable all season long.
- Change your home’s air filters. Not only does changing the filters regularly help with indoor air quality, but it also prevents your heater from having to work harder than it should.
- Give your outdoor AC units some attention. Clean the space around the unit and wipe down the vents. Your AC worked hard all summer long, so giving it a bit of attention now will help keep it in good working condition.
- Have your air ducts cleaned. If it’s been a while and you’re noticing a lot of dust in your home, your ducts may need to be cleaned.
- Schedule HVAC maintenance. Having your system inspected regularly will help keep the equipment in good condition and can catch any issues before they become more expensive to deal with.
Southern Home Winterization
It’s not as fun as catching a football game or enjoying pumpkin spiced… well, anything, but home winterization is part of fall as well. And the sooner you take care of it, the sooner you can get back to enjoying the rest of the season! If you need your heating or plumbing system inspected or serviced, give U.S. Heating and Air Conditioning a call at 407-337-7925[OUW4] or schedule a service, anytime.