How to Take Better Care of Your Heating System

There are few things worse than your heating system breaking down on one of the coldest days of the year. This scenario can definitely happen if you neglect to take care of your heater. Just like any other appliance, a heating system will wear down faster if it is not maintained properly. Here is some helpful advice on how to take better care of your heating system:

Give the Heater a Break

Even the best heating system in the world can be overworked. If your heating system is forced to work too hard, you will have more to worry about than just expensive energy bills. An overworked heating system will also break down faster, leading to pricey repairs. That is why you should give your heating system breaks as much as possible. For example, it is a good idea to turn down the thermostat a few degrees while you are sleeping or away from the house all day. You should also leave the oven door open after you get done cooking. Your heating system will get a bit of a break as the heat from the oven warms up your house. In addition, consider installing ceiling fans in your house. These fans will help push more heat away from the ceiling, letting your heater take a break.

Change the Air Filters

If you want your heating system to stay in top shape, you must change the air filters every one to three months. Dirt and dust accumulate in these filters over time and make it more difficult for the heating system to produce clean air. If you neglect to replace the air filters, you could hurt the heating system and cause it to fail faster. Replacing your air filters will also reduce your heating bills and benefit the environment.

Get Yearly Inspections

If your heating system is fairly new and seems to be working just fine, you might not think it is necessary to get it inspected. However, this is not the best idea. It is important to get your heating system inspected by a professional heating contractor once a year. One of these HVAC professionals will thoroughly look at your heating system and may detect problems that you may have missed. An inspection is not too pricey and can save you money in repair costs down the road.

Move Items Away from the Radiators

It isn't a good idea to have items too close to your radiators. If your couch, for example, is pressed up against a radiator, it can force your heating system to work harder to push warm air throughout your home. Try to keep all items at least several feet away from your radiators.

Don't Crank Up the Heat Too High

If you come home to a chilly house, you might be tempted to crank up the heat a lot. However, this will not get your house warmer any faster. All it will do is increase your energy bills and put extra strain on your heating system. Be patient and let your home gradually warm up.

Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned

The air ducts in your home can accumulate a lot of dust over time, which can hurt your heating system's efficiency. Hiring a professional to clean these ducts periodically can help your heating system last longer.

Do not let your heating system break down sooner than it needs to. If you follow these helpful tips, you can maintain a healthy heating system and lower future repair costs. If your heating system still makes loud noises or shows other warning signs, contact a local heating contractor, such as a specialist in heating repair in Old Bridge, NJ.

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