(for your HVAC system).
It’s that time of year… No, not the holidays, it’s winter!
It’s time to get your furnace ready for the coming cold. We’ve already seen some pretty cold temperatures in central Ohio this year, so it might be getting even colder soon. Following are six winter maintenance tips from the professional HVAC contractor team at Dor-Mar Heating and Air Conditioning, to help enjoy a warm and cozy home all season long.
1. It All Starts with the Air Filter
A dirty air filter is like trying to breathe with a mask on your face. In 2020, we all know what that’s like, right? This makes your furnace’s ability to breathe a lot more difficult than it should, causing the blower motor to work harder and burn out prematurely. Check the filter monthly, and replace at least every three months.
2. Clean the Ducts and Registers
As a homeowner, you can remove your air vents and vacuum the dust and dirt within reach of the hose. It’s easier if you have a shopvac. At the very least, clean the registers. This will, in turn, keep your filters cleaner. If you’ve never had your ductwork cleaned, and especially if you live in a dusty environment, you should consider getting a thorough professional duct cleaning performed on your home’s ductwork
3. Insulate Yourself
Most people don’t consider insulation part of the their home’s HVAC system, but it does play a key role in the energy efficiency of your home. Visually check the attic to ensure you have adequate insulation installed. You can also request an energy audit from the local utility company, where they can find areas of your home that are leaking heat (using an infrared camera).
4. Check the Thermostat
Many thermostats use batteries that need to be replaced from time to time. We recommend checking the batteries in yours when you change the batteries in your smoke detectors, twice a year. You can save energy by setting your thermostat to a cooler temperature when you’re at work and during the night. We also recommend a programmable thermostat, or even upgrading to one of the newfangled WiFi Smart thermostats. They allow you control them from an app on your smartphone.
5. Protect the Outdoor AC Unit
Once it’s apparent that you won’t be needing your air conditioning any more (hint: there’s snow on the ground) you should consider covering the AC compressor. It’s quite affordable, and it will help protect the AC unit from ice and snow buildup, and help prevent rust.
6. Professional Heating System Inspection
If you skipped getting your annual furnace inspection and tune-up in the fall, it’s not too late! During the tune-up, and expert HVAC service technician will visit your home and check your heating system for problems. He’ll look for any signs that indicate the system may have problems under the load of winter cold.
Schedule Furnace Maintenance in the Columbus and central Ohio area with Dor-Mar Heating and Air Conditioning
With 7 locations all over central Ohio, including Newark, Columbus, Westerville, Reynoldsburg, Dublin, Grove City, and Zanesville, we’ve got you covered. While we give priority to our annual maintenance agreement customers, then to no-heat emergencies, we can get you scheduled in the next week or two. You can contact our friendly Customer Service team to schedule your inspection.
Dor-Mar to the Rescue!
Schedule an appointment for HVAC system troubleshooting or maintenance with us today by using our online contact form, or call one of our seven neighborhood offices listed below. We pride ourselves on our customer-focused service, and our reviews show it.
NEWARK 740.345.6639 • COLUMBUS 614.238.6689 • DUBLIN 614.545.8939 • REYNOLDSBURG 614.365.1579 • WESTERVILLE 614.381.1540 • GROVE CITY 614.595.3098 • ZANESVILLE 740.454.2420
Dor-Mar…Your Climate Hero!
*Please note: neither the Centers for Disease Control(CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), nor the manufacturer of our UV-C Devices have officially announced whether UV-C kills the current strain of Corona Virus (COVID-19). We urge you to err on the side of caution until we have a definitive answer, and take other measures to prevent the acquisition or spread of this virus.
