Cold winters in New Jersey can put a lot of stress on your heating system, but there are simple steps you can take to keep your home warm and save on energy costs. Regular tasks like changing dirty air filters, sealing gaps around windows and doors, and cleaning air vents can boost your system’s efficiency. Also, adjusting your thermostat regularly and having your furnace checked every year can help avoid breakdowns. Taking care of these small problems early on can make your home more comfortable, lower your energy bills, and help your heating system run smoothly all winter.
Check and Clean the Air Filters
As winter approaches, you should check the air filters in your furnace. If they are dirty, remove them and replace them with new ones. Make sure to use the right filter size for your unit. Also, use high-quality filters to improve your home’s indoor air quality.
Test the Thermostat
Testing the thermostat can also minimize problems with your heater during the cold New Jersey winter. Verify that it provides accurate air temperature readings. You can also test it by setting the thermostat to a higher temperature and ensuring that the furnace turns on.
Replace the Thermostat Batteries
If your thermostat uses batteries, replace them before the start of winter. New batteries improve the likelihood of your thermostat operating normally. Remember to reset the thermostat after you install new batteries.
Inspect the Ductwork
Hire an HVAC technician to inspect your ductwork to ensure it does not have any gaps or leaks. Cracks, holes, and openings around the ductwork allow cold air to enter, making your HVAC system less efficient. Use mastic tape and caulk to seal these openings.
Use CO Detectors
You cannot see, taste, or smell carbon monoxide. To guard against the risk of CO leaks, you can buy and install carbon monoxide detectors in your home or schedule service with an HVAC contractor who can have a technician install it for you. These detectors alert you to a dangerous gas leak that requires immediate professional furnace repairs.
Seal Air Leaks
Gaps and cracks around doors and windows can also let in cold air, which can compromise the function and efficiency of your HVAC system. Inspect these fixtures closely for gaps. Seal them with caulk or mastic tape before winter starts.
Insulate the Pipes
Insulating your system’s pipes can also improve its performance. Exposed pipes or pipes located outside your home can freeze during the winter. You can insulate them with traditional, self-sealing, or spray foam insulation, fiberglass, tubular sleeve covers, or heated tape.
Remove Debris Around the Outside Unit
Debris, such as twigs, leaves, and grass clippings around the outdoor unit, can impede your furnace’s airflow and force it to work harder to warm your home. To help it work better, you can clear debris from or around the unit before turning it on for the season.
Cover the Outdoor Unit
After you remove debris from on and around the outdoor unit, cover it to protect it from the harsh winter elements. Use a durable cover made from plastic or vinyl. You can also build a tent over the unit using plywood or a vinyl tarp to keep snow and ice off it.
Maintain a Steady Thermostat Temperature
Maintaining a steady thermostat temperature can maximize your unit’s function and efficiency. This tip minimizes system wear and tear and reduces the gas or electricity your heater uses.
Check the Vents and Registers
If your heater’s vents and registers are not open or need cleaning, it can overwork and fail to keep your home warm enough. Check them before you turn on the furnace for the winter, and use a broom or vacuum to remove dust and dirt.
Listen for Strange Noises
As your system runs, listen for any strange noises coming from it. Noises like grinding, vibrating, or screeching can indicate that your unit needs repairs. They can result from issues such as loose parts, frayed belts, or motor components that need lubricating.
Check the Ignition System
Check the ignition system to ensure your furnace turns on normally. Set the thermostat to a higher temperature and wait for the furnace to turn on. Check the pilot light to ensure it has a blue flame.
Keep Your Floors Clean
You can also help your system work better by keeping your home’s floors clean. Dust and dirt on the floors can circulate in the air and get trapped in the furnace filters and vents. Regular floor cleaning minimizes this risk.
Use a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat helps improve your HVAC operation during the winter. It is often easier to use than its analog counterparts. You can also monitor your home’s energy use and adjust the thermostat settings to reduce your heating bills.
Use a Mobile App
Many smart thermostats today come with mobile apps that you can download to your phone or tablet. The app allows you to adjust the thermostat temperature remotely and create a heating schedule for your home, saving energy and better controlling your heating costs.
Use a Humidifier
Running your furnace 24/7 can dry out the air in your home. By running a humidifier throughout the day, you can add moisture to the air and prevent problems such as dry coughs, scaly skin, and chapped lips.
Open the Windows and Doors on Milder Days
On milder days, you can open the doors and windows to improve air circulation in your home. This tip gives your heater a break from circulating air throughout the house. You can also fumigate to get rid of bacteria and viruses trapped in your home’s air.
Pay Attention to Odors
When you first turn on your heater for the season, you might notice it makes a faint burning odor. However, a strong burning odor coming from it can suggest a more urgent problem, such as frayed wiring, a gas leak, or dust and dirt on the burners.
Monitor Your Heating Bills
If you notice a sudden spike in your heating bills without changing how often you run your furnace, you may need to have one of our HVAC technicians inspect it. Higher heating bills can indicate a problem with your heater.
Schedule a Yearly Tune-up
The best way to troubleshoot your HVAC is to hire one of our technicians at Sam's Air Control for seasonal furnace maintenance. This service ensures that all the parts in your heating unit work properly and that your system does not have problems like leaks, clogs, or dirty filters, which can ruin its efficiency and raise your energy bills.
Let Us Help With Your Winter HVAC Troubleshooting
At Sam's Air Control, we have 10 years of experience helping homeowners throughout the Edison, NJ, service area troubleshoot their HVAC systems. In addition to heating services, our NATE-certified team of HVAC technicians also works on cooling and indoor air quality systems. We are an ENERGY STAR provider and a Mitsubishi Diamond Contractor. We also have EPA certification and belong to the Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey. Contact us today to learn how we can help you troubleshoot your HVAC this winter.