There are many essential home heating tasks involved in maintaining your HVAC system. Some of these jobs are things you can do on a regular basis by yourself, while others require the skilled hand of a professional. Understanding the difference and including all of these tasks in your home maintenance plan will help keep your heating system in top condition.
Do It Yourself
Some heating tasks are easy to perform yourself, even if you have minimal experience with DIY home improvement projects. You can:
- Change your air filters. You should change the filter in your HVAC system at least once a month for the best results.
- Test your thermostat. Turn your thermostat up to 80 degrees, and wait to see if the heat kicks on promptly as it should.
- Adjust all settings on your programmable thermostat. While you can adjust your thermostat for comfort when you’re at home, it’s important to select the right settings for when you’re away or asleep as well. You can also keep your home cooler during the winter to lower your heating costs.
Hire a Professional
A professional can perform many other heating tasks that can extend the life of your system and improve efficiency. You should call a professional to:
- Seal air duct leaks.
- Inspect wiring and electrical connections and apply protective coating as needed.
- Check belts for damage and tighten appropriately.
- Inspect and lubricate motors.
Most of these tasks will be performed during an annual maintenance check for your heating system. Include this on your calendar every fall before you turn your heating system on for the first time. Regular check-ups will keep your system in top shape and prevent costly repairs in the future.
Contact Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule your next maintenance visit and learn more about how annual care can benefit your system. We’ve been serving the Twin Cities area since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heating tasks and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Ryan-Jorgensen—Jorgo/Shutterstock”