Shorter days and cooler evenings may have you thinking it’s time to turn on your heating system. While no exact temperature determines when you should flip the heat on, your instincts tell you that when you’re no longer comfortable without a light sweater, its time to switch your thermostat over from cool to heat.
But before you touch the thermostat, make sure you take the proper steps to assure your system will run efficiently and safely this winter:
Schedule Heating Maintenance
If you haven’t already done so, schedule your annual heating maintenance appointment. Maintenance is when a professional HVAC technician inspects, cleans, and lubricates your equipment so that it runs efficiently all winter long. Regular maintenance can prolong the life of your system and help prevent frequent breakdowns. At Levco your annual maintenance is covered under the Service Plan.
Clear all Vents and Registers from Debris
Before you turn on your heating system, make sure all of your vents are clear from debris, including:
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- Rugs
- Furniture
- Toys
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Obstacles that are blocking vents can cause your system to run more frequently than it needs to, and increase your electric bills!
Switch Thermostat to “Heat”
It may sound simple, but many homeowners assume their heating system will automatically come on once temperatures drop. Make sure that the thermostat switch for each of your heating zones is switched to heat so your furnace knows when it is supposed to turn on. Some older systems may have a change-over control located on or near the furnace.
Test Your Safety Detectors
Before you turn on your system, be sure to test all safety devices, including smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s rare that a furnace or boiler would produce hazardous fumes into the home that can cause serious injury but it’s still wise to take precaution. Carbon monoxide alarms help prevent your family from breathing in deadly fumes in the case of a malfunction.
Turn on Humidifier
If you have a ducted heating system, and the water line to your humidifier was turned off when it was cleaned in the spring, now’s the time to turn the water back on. Don’t forget to check for leaks. If you would like us to service your humidifier, either at the time we do preventative maintenance or otherwise, please give us a call.
Run and Test the System
After taking care of the steps listed above, it’s a good idea to test your heating system. If you’ve had annual maintenance performed by your licensed HVAC provider, your technician will have already performed this test. If not, turn on the system and make sure it:
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- Is producing heat
- Isn’t making strange noises
- Turns off once the home is heated
- And there are no apparent odors
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If your equipment doesn’t heat efficiently, if it leaks, makes noises, looks corroded, or is just plain old, call Levco at (203) 533-8249 and we’ll be glad to help before the outside temperatures get too cold.
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Levco is the premier provider of heating & cooling service as well as fuel oil and propane delivery in Fairfield County, CT.
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HOD 194 / DOT 663660
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55 Merritt Blvd, Trumbull, CT 06611
Phone: (203) 533-8249
Email: service@levcooil.com