Everyone knows that fall is the season of carving pumpkins, drinking cider, and watching football. But what many forget is that it’s also a great time to call your HVAC contractor. As temperatures drop, homeowners should make sure their heating and cooling system is in top shape to avoid costly repairs, high utility bills, and frigid indoor conditions.     

3 Tips for Winterizing Your HVAC System

1. Change the Filters

Air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces all need unobstructed airflow across their coil or heat exchanger. Dirty filters, on the other hand, minimize airflow, forcing the blower to work harder to achieve the same output. Make a habit of changing your filters every month—but especially in the fall and winter months. That way your heater can keep up with the increased demand during the winter months. If you have trouble replacing this component, ask an HVAC contractor for help. 

2. Clean the Ducts

Filters aren’t the only HVAC component you should worry about cleaning this fall. Dirty ductwork can also cause your system to work overtime, damaging the heating and cooling elements as well as running up your utility bill. To avoid wintertime complications, hire a professional HVAC contractor to clean and remove any obstructions from your ductwork. Also ask them to clean any cooling coils, heating exchangers, and fans to further improve efficiency.   

3. Update the Thermostat

Upgrading your thermostat is a great way to not only improve your home’s comfort levels but also save on utility costs. Newer models are programmable, so you can adjust them based on the time of day and your preferred temperature. For example, you can turn the heat down when you go to bed or leave for work and have it automatically turn on when you return. Thus, you conserve energy when you’re away but still come home to a warm, comfortable room. This upgrade can save you as much as 10% on heating and cooling costs annually.

If you need help winterizing your HVAC system, contact Pointon Heating & Air Conditioning. With two locations across southern Wisconsin, these HVAC contractors offer superior installation and repair services to keep your home comfortable all winter long. Call their Baraboo location at (608) 356-4177 or their Portage location at (608) 745-4616 to schedule an appointment. Visit them online for more on their comprehensive offerings.