How to Prep Your Home and Heating System For the Cold Weather

Winter is coming, and the average temperature in Goshen, Indiana, is starting to drop. While you’ll soon start worrying about holiday decorating and shopping, now’s the time to prep your home and heating system for the cold.

Change Your Heating System’s Filter

For safety reasons, homeowners should leave HVAC maintenance to the professionals. But if there’s one task you can complete to help your heater operate more efficiently, it’s to change its air filter. To prevent poor indoor air quality, too, remember to check the filter monthly for dust buildup. You shouldn’t go three months without changing it.

Use Proper Thermostat Settings

If you haven’t upgraded to a programmable thermostat, perhaps that’s an item to put on your holiday wish list. You can still save money on your energy bills with a manual thermostat, though. Simply follow these two easy rules:

• Keep your thermostat set at 68 degrees when you’re at home and awake.
• Turn your thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees when you’re asleep or away.

Adjust the Direction of Ceiling Fans

During the winter, your home’s ceiling fans can help your heating system operate more efficiently. Simply reverse the direction of the blades so that they rotate clockwise, and remember to also set the fan at a low speed. The fan’s updraft will gently force warm air that’s near the ceiling to circulate down and around your living space. This will make the space feel warmer – only if you’re occupying it – allowing you to turn down your thermostat and give your heater a rest.

Schedule Heating System Maintenance

Scheduling heater maintenance is the number-one way to protect your system, health and comfort from the cold conditions. The investment will pay for itself by lowering heating bills, reducing repair costs and prolonging system life.

Scheduling a visit from a professional HVAC service technician is the number-way to prep your heating system for the winter. Contact Rex’s Heating & Cooling at (574) 500-2867 to book your maintenance appointment today.