WINTER is coming! And don’t be a Jon Snow who doesn’t know nothing!
Although Florida remains relatively warm throughout the winter season, weather shifts may be quite frequent and severe. Make sure that your HVAC system is operating properly before moving into your house in Florida, whether it is your primary property or a vacation home. This will guarantee that you have comfortable living conditions, good air quality, and low energy expenses. Having mold and dirt build up in your air conditioner after it has been operating while you are away for months without maintenance is a regular problem with vacation homes. It is possible for this dirt and mold to spread throughout your entire home, causing health problems and property damage.
Here are 5 HVAC care tips during winter season to keep your home warm and cozy:
1. Replace the filter at the start of the winter season. To guarantee both excellent indoor air and proper circulation, the rule of thumb is to replace your filter at least once every 3 months. But make sure to replace it every month during the winter season. WHY? To that end, here are some compelling reasons to do so more regularly throughout the winter:
- Preserve the Life of Your HVAC System – During the winter season, your HVAC system is extensively utilized, and as a result, dirt quickly accumulates. It can clog the filter, making airflow more difficult. As a consequence, your HVAC system will have to work harder, which can result in overheating and major system damage.
- Energy Cost Savings – similar to the last point, this is a no-brainer. A blocked filter compels your furnace to work harder, resulting in increased energy consumption.
- Improved Air Quality – after all, you can’t expect clean air to come out of a filthy filter, can you? 🙂
FilterFetch can guide you in identifying the proper filters for your HVAC system. What’s cool is that they send automated email reminders when it’s time to replace your filters! Use the coupon CD6X at filterfetch.com to receive a discount!
2. Vacuum and clean the air vents in your house. This is a must-have in any home, much more so if it has carpet. There is no other method of removal that is as thorough or as successful as vacuuming. However, ensure that you are vacuuming properly. Check below to see whether you’re following the same practices:
- You vacuum your home at least twice a week as part of your usual cleaning.
- Vacuum slowly and continuously move the vacuum cleaner forward and backward across the floor.
- When vacuuming, you pay special attention to high-traffic areas of your home, such as the living room and corridors.
- Clean your vacuum cleaner immediately after each usage.
- Utilize the appropriate vacuum for your flooring type. How would you choose the proper vacuum? Why not read Gill Chilton’s article in How to Choose the Right Vacuum Cleaner?
Apart from routine cleaning, it is critical to clean your air ducts. This will help avoid clogs and poor indoor air quality. You can do it yourself, and Katie Berry’s How To Clean Your Air Ducts will guide you through the process.
Apart from cleaning yourself, it’s a good idea to hire professional cleaners once or twice a year.
3. Sufficient insulation should be installed. This is crucial for keeping a comfortable indoor temperature in the winter. Insulation provides the following seven benefits:
- Protects and secures household members
- Prevents moisture condensation
- Cuts down on energy costs
- Contributes to the reduction of pollutant emissions
- Protects against fire
- Lowers noise levels
- Improves Appearance
4. Replace the batteries in your thermostat to ensure a constant level of humidity and temperature. A relative humidity of 30% to 50% is excellent for the interior atmosphere that should be maintained. This is critical because the humidity level in your home can have an effect on your overall health and comfort. If humidity levels are too high, molds and bacteria can grow, and can also contribute to conditions such as stuffy nose. And if it’s too low, you risk developing dry, itchy skin, catching a cold, and even causing damage to your house’s paint and wooden components.
5. Make an appointment to have your indoor air quality inspected. To ensure that your HVAC system is operating efficiently during the winter and that no hidden problems exist, it is recommended that you conduct an air quality test prior to and after contacting maintenance services. Winter is coming, so it is important to perform an air quality test in order to identify any potential problems that may arise during the winter season and to take steps to prevent them from occurring, or to detect an existing but previously undiscovered problem. If you need assistance with that, Coastal Air Assessments can help you with our newest Instant Indoor Air Testing Technology! With the help of our certified mold assessor and cutting-edge technologies, we can deliver an on-site diagnosis! There will be no more waiting!