It’s no secret that Connecticut winters bring frigid weather. Finding time for heating maintenance and HVAC services in Berlin, CT, should make your list of priorities with the holidays looming. Our crew at SM Mechanical Services prepared a list of easy HVAC tips for winter to help you prepare.
HVAC Tips for Winter Preparation
One of the primary concerns is the buildup from ice and snow hindering your system’s operations. The last thing you need is sketchy, unpredictable performance when snowstorms power through the area.
That said, winter maintenance for your HVAC system begins long before winter starts — think mid to late autumn when the leaves change colors. Energy Star recommends regular furnace maintenance tune-ups to prepare your heating system for cold weather. It also suggests these HVAC tips for winter preparation:
- Sealing your ducts: Air flows from your HVAC system through the duct network. That said, cracked or corroded duct materials allow heated air to escape while frosty outdoor air infiltrates your home. Seal your ducts before winter hits to keep your house comfortable.
- Installing a smart thermostat: These advanced devices give you optimal comfort control. You can also manage your temperature settings regardless of location if you have a WiFi connection and app access.
- Cleaning or replacing your air filters: Berlin homeowners should clean or replace their air filters every three months. You’ll breathe cleaner air and protect your HVAC system’s performance.
HVAC Tips for Protection From Ice and Snow in Berlin, Connecticut
You need to do much more than just prepare for the cold season; you also need to perform ongoing work. Some top HVAC tips for winter include the following.
Free Outdoor Unit From All Debris
Temperatures in Berlin, Connecticut, dip into the low 20s starting in late November or early December. That’s more than cold enough to bring on the frost. Frozen moisture weighs down tree branches, and weak limbs might break. Plus, all those autumn leaves have fallen on the ground. These organic materials can blanket your HVAC system, especially if it is near a big tree.
One of your primary concerns is keeping the outdoor unit of your furnace or heat pump debris-free. When HVAC equipment becomes encased in ice or cloaked in dead leaves and branches, it might cause the following problems:
- Restricted airflow: The equipment can’t effectively pull air to disperse throughout the building. This can also lead to combustion failures in furnaces.
- Corrosion and rust: The outdoor unit consists of metal casing and components. Metal can rust when exposed to constant moisture.
- Internal and external component damage: A particularly large icicle can do some significant damage to external housing if it falls on top of your unit. The same goes for smaller debris that falls inside your unit if it becomes wedged in fan blades and other parts.
- Emergency shutdowns: Your heating system could freeze from too much snow or ice coverage and stop working completely.
- Higher energy bills: Excess debris forces your system to work much harder. Even if it doesn’t become damaged, it will strain your home or business.
To avoid issues, take an hour or so to sweep and rake those leaves away from your outdoor HVAC equipment. Remove large limbs that fell near or on the unit, too. You might look for and prune dead or dying branches for added protection.
Once snow starts falling, check on your outdoor unit daily. Take a broom with you so you can gently sweep snow and ice off of the casing and grate.
Inspect and Clear External Vents
One of the most important HVAC tips for winter involves keeping the external vents clean. First, figure out where your air intake vent is located. Many buildings have indoor intake vents, but some feature outdoor ones, too.
Exterior intake vents typically feature a gray, white, or black plastic hood on an external building wall near the outdoor unit. You should also find the exhaust vent nearby. It looks similar to the intake vent, except it faces upward to release exhaust.
Periodically check these vents for debris. Remove any obstacles that block either vent.
Knock Overhead Icicles Down
It isn’t uncommon for large icicles to form from Berlin rooftops. They look beautiful but can put your HVAC system in danger. If you find big, sharp icicles developing directly above the outdoor equipment, gently break them off so they don’t fall onto or into the unit.
Do NOT Cover the Outdoor Unit
Some property owners mistakenly use HVAC covers to protect their unused air conditioners during winter. They believe it provides shielding insulation that keeps their cooling system in good shape until spring. But unit coverage traps moisture, which causes problems like:
- Mold and mildew growth. The thriving colony can release spores into your system. Those spores can eventually make their way into your home or business.
- Rust. Moisture corrodes metals. It’ll affect the protective casing, interior components, and electrical wires.
- Shelter for pests. Bugs and rodents want to winter somewhere safe. They might just overwinter in or around your outdoor HVAC equipment with a nice protective covering.
Other Protective Winter Suggestions
Many Berlin property owners worry about energy efficiency and lowering utility costs. Their concerns inspire them to keep their thermostats set to low temperatures. Realistically, you don’t have to set your thermostat any lower than 68 or 69 degrees to save money and stay comfortable.
Instead of keeping your home or business too chilly, use humidifiers throughout the winter. They add moisture to the air, which relieves excessive dryness and makes the room feel warmer. Moist air holds heat more efficiently than dry air.
You can also run the following appliances at night to enhance heat and comfort:
- Dishwashers
- Dryers
- Washing machines
- Space heaters in individual rooms
Start the Cold Season Off Right With SM Mechanical Services’ HVAC Maintenance in Berlin, Connecticut
Start applying these HVAC tips for winter by scheduling a heating tuneup with SM Mechanical Services in Berlin, Connecticut. If you’re hungry for more HVAC knowledge, check out the dangers of DIY HVAC replacement.