If you’re not a professional heating installer or technician, we don’t expect you to know all about the ins and outs of your heating system. That’s our job! However, you’re still expected to do your part to make sure your heater functions properly for the majority of its lifespan. Your heating system works hard in the colder months, and it deserves the best in care.
Don’t make these mistakes when it comes to your heating system! Proper care and installation ensures a long life and better efficiency from this hardworking system.
#1: Neglecting to Call Professionals for Installation
Many people think that any “handyman” can install a heating system, as long as they have the right tools and the system’s manual on hand. We’re here to tell you that this is one of the biggest mistakes we see. It’s the primary reason heating systems break down much sooner than they should.
It’s about much more than simply opening up a manual and getting to work. Professional installers know that proper sizing means everything when it comes to a new furnace or heat pump. They also know what to look for to ensure there are no problems with any components, and how to position a heater for the most efficient performance—as well as your safety.
#2: Delaying a Filter Change
You might think that changing an air filter is not so important, especially if you’re not feeling any symptoms of allergies or asthma at the moment. But this is not the primary reason to change your filter often.
A clogged filter, one that’s stopped up with debris and dust, won’t allow air to move through to the blower fan at all. This can cause the furnace to overheat and shut down, or at least force the furnace to take on excess wear and tear.
#3: Closing Vents
We understand the logic behind this common misconception. You’re not using an upstairs bedroom or your office so you manually shut off the vent that leads to that room. It seems like this would save energy, but you might be surprised to hear the opposite is true!
Your heating system was designed to heat a certain amount of space. It was, in fact, sized specifically for your home. When you shut vents, the amount of space it heats is suddenly reduced. This can cause the heater to run for shorter cycles than it’s meant to. These brief spurts force the heater to exert a lot of energy, and the system may even overheat. Keep all vents open, and look into zone heating if you would like to save energy on unoccupied rooms.
#4: Relying on Portable Heaters
Finally, a mistake we see a lot in our area is relying too much on portable heaters. Portable heaters are meant to be only a temporary solution, not a long-term heating options. They utilize a ton of energy, which can cost you. More importantly, they can become a safety hazard. Portable heaters are known to tip over and start fires, and we do not think this is worth the risk.
Upgrade your heating in Corrales, NM with the help of the professionals at Axiom Home Services, Inc.