The weather here in Delray Beach is unpredictable. In peak summers, the temperatures soar up to 35°C while in extreme winters, it goes down to -30°C. November – March is the period when it gets freezing. During this time, snowstorms in the form of snowfall, sleet, and rainstorm are most common.
Therefore, it’s necessary to keep your HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems up to the mark to keep them running throughout the long period of winters. The quality HVAC contractor in Delray Beach recommends regular maintenance of your heaters and furnaces to help you last the entire winter season with ease.
Preventive measures are crucial to maintaining your heating systems at par during the upcoming winters. Here are the tips to prepare your HVAC unit for a snowstorm this wintertime:
Schedule HVAC Inspection in Delray Beach
Scheduling a predetermined inspection for your HVAC systems like furnaces, water heaters, and career thermostats keep them at optimum levels during the cold season. It also avoids the inconvenience of bearing costs of future repairs. The HVAC experts at Fix my AC Delray Beach check everything from electrical switches to the motor and get your heating system ready to survive the snowstorms.
Replace Old Heating Components
Although most of the HVAC can last as long as 20 years if maintained regularly, still you should replace your old heating elements before it’s too late. Change them when following conditions are fulfilling:
- The furnace is more than 15 years old
- Electricity bills are more than normal or expected
- Your Furnace is not able to warm your house as it should
- Your Furnace makes loud and strange noises
- Your Furnace is not maintained or inspected for more than 3 years
Clear Heat Pumps
Many HVAC systems use heat pumps to reduce and avoid the collection of snow on external units. But during heavy snow, they could get clogged preventing the airflow from the system. Therefore, keep the heat pumps clear to control the airflow problem.
Maintain Proper Insulation
You could lose all the warm air present in your house due to poor insulation in the attic, doors, and windows. Thus, it’s strongly recommended to maintain proper insulation to avoid getting cold.
Keep Extra Filters
During extremely cold weather, air filters fill up quicker than usual due to the heavy performance of the furnace. Keep them in check so that you could change them when needed.
Replace Air Filters
As discussed earlier, any kind of clogging or dirt in the filters results in double the amount of work required by the system to maintain the airflow. It means you will also have to bear double energy bills and increased repair costs.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
Get your furnace’s thermostat checked from an HVAC professional at Fix my AC Delray Beach to make sure that it’s reading the temperatures accurately. To avoid any future issues, get a programmable thermostat that can adjust the temperatures of the house based on your preferences.
Clear the Vents
Keep all the vents in your house open and clear. Avoid placing furniture right in front of these openings or putting clothes over them accidentally. This could obstruct the airflow throughout your house. Subsequently, your furnace will not be able to maintain the required temperatures inside the house. It could also cause you to repair your furnace during snowstorms.
Avoid Snow Build-ups on Outdoor Units
Clear all the snow from the outdoor units to avoid extra repair costs and keep your house nice and cozy. These heavy snow build-ups could cause failures in heat pumps and condensing units by obstructing the airflow. This could also shorten the lifespan of your heating system by not allowing the unit to defrost properly.
Arrange an Emergency Generator
During snowstorms, you could have to suffer from the loss of electricity in your area due to the falling of electrical cables. With such uncertainties, it’s better to prepare for the worst by arranging an emergency generator so that you could stay connected with the world.
It’s just a matter of a month or so when snowstorms will just be around the corner here in Delray Beach. Therefore, it’s essential to keep the above-mentioned guidelines in mind when preparing for them in advance.