As fall is here in Maryland and temperatures stay cool, we are switching to heating for the first time in many months. It is a good idea to consider doing this earlier in the season to test the system which has served you so well, to see if it’s still in good working order.
Monitoring Your Switch from Cooling to Heating
Furnaces in Maryland usually last around 16 – 20 years, but of course there is fluctuation even beyond that due to extreme conditions, abuse, and inferior quality equipment. Sometimes there are external issues beyond your control.
Switching to heating is a unique time of year, as it’s the first time your furnace or heating system has run in many months. While temperatures are still mild, fall is the right time of year to be diligent and watch for furnace issues that indicate a need for repair. When you catch these problems, you have more time to arrange heating repair and get issues resolved before cold weather is here to stay.
A good idea is to check the weather forecast and pick a 3-day cold spell, turn the thermostat to “heat” and test that furnace against what Maryland is going to offer this winter season.
Shut Down Your Cooling System When Switching to Heating
Now that you won’t be using your air conditioner for a few months, it’s time to take action to protect it over the winter season. These steps help you shut down cooling equipment when switching to heat:
- If your air conditioner had performance problems over the summer, schedule AC repair now. This way, your air conditioner is ready to work at its best when you need it again next year!
- Avoid any accidental situations that cause your air conditioner to turn on over the winter and waste energy. Turn off your exterior condenser unit at its power switch, which is typically located outside on the wall near the unit.
- Clear away outdoor debris that has gathered on the unit. Gently brush away grass clippings, leaves, and dirt to clean the outside cabinet.
- Protect the outdoor unit over the winter by resolving any gutter leaks above. This helps prevent ice from accumulating on the unit over the winter, which can cause damage.
- Trim back trees and shrubs, and remove dead branches, avoiding damage to your air conditioner due to harsh winter winds and falling debris.
Prevent Problems When You Make the Switch
If you are already enrolled in our regular maintenance plan, you are all set for your home or business to stay comfortable for the cold and windy nights. If not, consider checking into an HVAC regular maintenance plan, save the headache and a few dollars!
How does a maintenance plan prevent issues when switching to heat? When you enroll in a maintenance plan, your annual tune up for your heating system is performed early in the fall, before temperatures drop, so your furnace, heat pump, or boiler will have already received essential services from a qualified technician! You know it works, because we’ve already tested the system, and you know it’s most likely to continue to work throughout the winter because we’ve corrected any improper operations or damage that existed, which may have caused you a breakdown later on.
Call Grove HVAC If You Experience Heating Problems
When switching to heat, if you do notice any issues, call us right away for heating service and repair. Let us solve those issues now so you do not have to wait to regain comfort.
