HVAC Tips to Keep You Warm This Winter

Living on the Gulf Coast of Florida means you don’t have to think about heating your home too often. But come winter, strong cold fronts from the north sweep across the state, bringing with it chilly nights and cool mornings. When that happens, you want to ensure your heating and cooling system is working at peak performance to keep your home, condo, or business warm. That is why our team at Bullseye Home Services, located in Sarasota, Florida, wrote this article. Here, we offer some HVAC tips to keep you warm this winter. Read on to learn more. 

Keep your air vents clean

When you clean your home, remember to take time to clean your registers and air vents. That simple strategy keeps them from becoming clogged with debris or dust. 

When vents become clogged, it forces your HVAC system to work harder than it should. It also prevents warm air from reaching your rooms. Keeping your vents clean improves the air quality on your property, which can help with allergies. 

Clean and replace the air filters

There are two types of air filters: reusable and disposable. For optimal HVAC efficiency, they need to be kept clean. Dirty air filters allow contaminants into your air and block heat from reaching your rooms. Furthermore, it stresses your system’s fan, forcing your HVAC unit to work harder than it should. It also uses more fuel, increasing your energy bills. 

Replaceable air filters last 1-2 months when running consistently, and reusable filters should be cleaned after the same duration.

However, during the Florida winter, HVAC systems usually don’t have to run constantly. Therefore, you can probably replace your filter once every 3-4 months. Remember, every HVAC unit is different, so ask our team at Bullseye Home Services during your heating tune-up service how often you should replace/clean your filter.  

Monitor your thermostat settings

Consider your thermostat. It needs to be set and calibrated correctly. If you have an older model, it might be time to replace it. Modern options are “smart,” utilizing digital technology to monitor the temperature on your property. You can even link it to your smartphone to make adjustments when you are away. Another tip is to check the batteries at least once a year. An unpowered thermostat is useless. 

Invest in quality insulation

Quality insulation combines with your HVAC unit for optimal efficiency. It keeps your home warm when the cold fronts dip into Florida, along with keeping your property cool in the summer months. Best of all, it lowers your utility bills. 

Check for gaps and cracks around windows and doors, and if you have an attic, make sure it is properly insulated. Even a small gap allows warm air to escape, making your HVAC system work harder. 

Close off rooms you rarely use

Do you have rooms in your home that you rarely use? Consider closing the vents and doors in those rooms in the winter months. You might also want to think about taping plastic along the inside of the windows. 

By closing off a room, your HVAC unit no longer sends heat to it, freeing up energy to heat the rest of your home. It will lower your energy costs and keep your HVAC system from working as hard. Even closing off a single room on your property can make a significant difference.

Call Bullseye Home Services for Assistance

Before the first winter cold front blows through is the perfect time for an HVAC tune-up. Your heating system should be examined and maintained once a year. With Bullseye Home Services, Sarasota, FL, home and business owners can trust our local certified technicians. We can detect issues with your heating unit before a serious problem develops. Call our office today to schedule your heating inspection.