As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, it is time to accept that winter is on its way! If you don't want to find yourself out in the cold, now is the perfect time to give your furnace or HVAC system a once over to make sure it is prepared for the Winter. Furnaces are generally very robust and require minimal input from homeowners. However, it is always worth consulting with a heating and air conditioning company in Knoxville twice a year for some preventative maintenance to extend the life of your equipment. Let's look at a few tips and tricks to help you prepare your furnace and HVAC system for Winter.

Start With The Thermostat

One of the most important steps to transition from cooling to heating before winter takes hold is to switch over your thermostat. You can do a simple but effective test by setting the thermostat a few degrees higher than the current room temperature and listening for the heat to kick in. If it doesn't come on in a minute or so, you need to check that the connections are secure and that the power source is turned on. If there is still no heat, you may need a heating and air conditioning company in Knoxville to help troubleshoot the issue. The most common culprits are the furnace fan, blower, or heat pump.

PRO TIP! On the topic of your thermostat, did you know that by dropping the thermostat about 10 degrees for 8 hours a day, you will save energy and lower your utility bills? It is best to do this when you don't need the heat as much, such as when you are at work or sleeping! A programmable or WiFi thermostat is an excellent solution that will allow you to customize the temperature in your home throughout the day for maximum comfort. Talk to a heating and air conditioning company in Knoxville to upgrade your thermostat.

Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Did you know that you are supposed to reverse your ceiling fans during the cooler months? Ceiling fans work by circulating air throughout the room, but in winter, you should reverse the direction to clockwise as this will draw colder air up and force warm air down!

Winterize Your HVAC Unit

If you take steps now to winterize your HVAC unit and protect it from the winter elements, you could save yourself some costly repair bills come spring when it's time to turn the AC back on! Unless you have a heat pump, you will want to cover the condenser to protect it from ice. This is as simple as placing a board over the fan. You will want to avoid wrapping it in a plastic tarp, as this can trap moisture inside the unit. If you are still deciding whether to winterize your HVAC, you can get advice from a heating and air conditioning company in Knoxville.

Change Your Furnace Filter

The filter on your furnace should be changed regularly to help your system run more efficiently. This simple and cost-effective step can not only help to extend the life of your heating system, but it can also help reduce your energy costs as it will run more efficiently. Ideally, you will want to check and change your filter every month for maximum effectiveness, but at an absolute minimum, it should be switched out at the change of each season.

Clean the Heat Exchanger

One additional step that should be handled by a professional heating and air conditioning company in Knoxville is cleaning out the heat exchanger once a year. It must be brushed and vacuumed to remove accumulated dust, dirt, and debris. During the cleaning process, your technician can also look for any cracks starting to form, potentially leading to a carbon monoxide leak. You can also book a complete duct cleaning simultaneously to ensure everything is clean and in the most efficient working order.

Test The Ignition Switch

If your heating system is on the older side, it may be necessary to relight your pilot light. Newer systems will tend to have an electronic ignitor. If your ignitor is not working, try pushing the reset button and checking the breaker. If neither helps, you will need to book a visit from a heating and air conditioning company in Knoxville to troubleshoot the issue.

These are just a few steps to help prepare your furnace and HVAC system for the cooler winter months. Suppose you feel more comfortable putting this in the hands of a professional. In that case, you can book a maintenance call with a heating and air conditioning company in Knoxville, who will take care of everything for you.

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Gent Heating and Cooling provide heating and air conditioning for residential and commercial clients in Knoxville, Knox County, and the surrounding East Tennessee area. Over 20 Years experience. Customer Service is Our Top Priority. We strive to be on time, provide accurate estimates, and have most replacement products on our service vehicles.

Call 865-213-9202 or email office@genthvac.com

www.gentheatandcool.com