Get Your Heating System Ready For Cold Season

As we welcome fall 2020 here in northern RI and southeastern Massachusetts, our thoughts turn from staying cool to keeping warm. The key to that transition, of course, is your home heating system.

After sitting idle for several months, your furnace or boiler will need a little TLC before being pressed into heavy service for the late fall and winter. Here are five things you can do to pad the landing as we head toward cooler New England days and nights.

Winter Ready HVAC Tips

1. Replace your air filter – When your HVAC air filter is dirty or clogged, it makes your heating system work harder to do the same job, which costs you money in the form of higher energy bills. A clogged air filter also degrades indoor air quality, exacerbating asthma and allergy symptoms. Make sure to check your air filter every month, cleaning or replacing it (depending on the model) when needed.
2. Check or replace your thermostat – An inaccurate or poorly placed thermostat will also affect heating efficiency by potentially keeping your furnace or boiler running more often than it should. If your thermostat lacks a timer, consider investing in a programmable or smart thermostat to take advantage of scheduled temperature drops and shut-offs that can save you money.
3. Add insulation – Most homes in New England are under-insulated – especially older ones. Insulation helps keep warm indoor air from escaping and cold air from creeping into your home. Install additional insulation in areas notorious for having inadequate insulation such as the attic and crawl spaces.
4. Weather seal doors and windows – Cold outdoor air can enter your home through leaky door and window edges; check for drafts, installing caulk or weatherstripping where needed. Consider adding door sweeps below gapped doors.
5. Schedule routine maintenance and take care of needed repairs early – Your home’s heating system requires a professional tune-up before it gets a long workout during the winter. The earlier you schedule service, the better: you’ll take advantage of the benefits of professional heating maintenance for longer, and you’ll avoid the long lines that inevitably come once the cold weather settles in.

For more tips on preparing your heating system for the fall and winter – or to schedule your heating tune-up in southeastern MA or northern RI – contact the pros at W.H. Riley & Son today!