Wintertime HVAC Essentials

     The winter season brings out the best and the worst in furnaces.  Its when they're most heavily used to keep our homes and families warm and cozy.  If something were to break and go wrong, this season of high-stress on the unit is when it will mostly likely happen. Preparation, prevention, and the productivity of your HVAC system is of utmost importance.  At Unified Comfort Systems, we believe that a well-maintained HVAC system is the cornerstone of a comfortable and energy-efficient home!

     Winter is also a time when a non-functioning furnace is most noticeable. If the heat isn't working, temps are going to quickly drop inside - folks are gonna get cold and cranky!

     Here is a comprehensive guide from Unified Comfort Systems to extend the life of your furnace, prepare for the chilly months ahead, all while boosting your HVAC systems productivity and preventing common problems!

Extending the life of your furnace: Preparation sets HVAC systems up for Success!

     A typical furnace will last around 15 to 20 years, so if you're furnace was installed prior to 2011, you're nearing the time frame of the units end of life.  Regular maintenance and changing the filters is one of the best ways to extend the life of your furnace - and the perfect time to do it is now, before its needed all day, everyday this winter!

     Major Step 1: Schedule a Professional Maintenance Check

     A Unified Comfort Professional will perform a point-by-point check of various furnace systems, covering: Furnace wear and tear, Heat Exchanger Condition, and Filter Condition.  Using our MeasureQuick software combined with the TruFlow Air Grid, we're able to measure over 100 faults in just 60 seconds!  This software provides accurate and advanced calculations to our technicians who are then able to make system adjustments to increase your furnace performance and prepare it for the busy season.

  I asked Unified Comfort Systems Vice-President, Ben, an HVAC/R licensed professional for over 28 years, for one of his 'Horror Stories'...

Ben said that he was once on a job at a local church, performing routine maintenance on the HVAC system before winter. He found the Carbon Monoxide levels to be at 2800ppm (parts-per-million) - which is over 100 times the amount considered safe by the CDC!!  Ben immediately cut power to the system, and replaced it THAT DAY.  Carbon monoxide exposure at these high levels is deadly, and if this had happened in a residence or during the church service, there is good chance that people would have been hospitalized – This could have been catastrophic!

     We'll also perform a spot check, which is a visible inspection of the HVAC system for areas of vital concern.  Some of the things that we look for are: Improper materials used as an exhaust stack, custom “modifications” to the unit, balancing acts with equipment, dirty filters, odd noises, loose connections, and pooling water.

     Our Comfort Professionals also provide a service that many HVAC companies neglect to perform – Sealing your home against drafts and Thermostat testing!

  Sealing your home against Drafts - Small cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and vents can let cold air in and warm air out.  Sealing these areas with weatherstripping or caulk helps maintain indoor warmth and reduces strain on your HVAC system! If its found that you have large air leaks, our Sister Company, Unified Insulation Systems, can insulate and seal these to increase total comfort in your home, year round, click here to visit our site!

  Testing your Thermostat - A properly calibrated thermostat ensures consistent temperatures.  Consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat for improved control and energy savings. Read our blog on Smart Thermostat upgrades here!

Furnace Repairs – Prevention avoids costly breakdowns during cold days!

     After a diagnostic report is generated in the MeasureQuick software, our Comfort Professionals are able to target bad or failing parts, and replace them with new circuits and controls.

     Performing a Combustion Analysis (Only 1 in 50 companies do this type of Furnace analysis! - Read more here!) will allow us to make appropriate adjustments to your furnace, increasing efficiency, reducing harmful emissions like Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide, and extending the life of the unit.

     Major Step 2: Change Air Filters Regularly

     Dirty Filters reduce airflow and strain your system! Replace them every 1-3 months to keep your HVAC running smoothly. Keep your senses active in case of strange smells or noises, a musty smell is fairly common when turning on your furnace for the first time, but a smell that lasts for hours and lingers, or a repetitive clanging may be a sign of a deeper issue.

     Replacing parts and performing repairs will extend the life of the unit and is often more beneficial than replacing the unit, unless the unit is nearing its end of life window (15+ years) – As the unit ages, it may be more cost effective to replace rather than to repair and our Comfort Professionals will explain everything in great detail to our customers.

     Customers should also avoid blocking air vents and registers, a blocked vent forces your system to work harder. Carpets, furniture, even curtains can obstruct airflow.

Furnace Productivity: Maximize Efficiency and Comfort

     Major Step 3: Set an energy-efficient temperature

     Keeping your thermostat set to an energy-efficient temperature when you're away, or sleeping is a great way to save energy year round!  You'll boost your HVAC system performance while minimizing energy consumption!

     Investing in new home insulation is also a great way to conserve energy, keeping what you generate inside the home, so you can use less energy overall!  Proper insulation in your attic and walls will retain heat, and reduce the workload on your HVAC.

     Ceiling fans can also have a surprising impact on the temperature of your home.  Ceiling fans aren't just for summer!!  Set them to rotate clockwise on a low setting to push warm air down and circulate the heat evenly!

     The final result is a furnace that is well-prepared to endure the winter season!  With its regular maintenance check, a new air filter, and unclogged vents, your Sanctuary will be kept cozy until Spring!  Our customers can know that their furnace is at max productivity, efficiency, and is operating safely.  They will see savings on monthly energy bills while keeping families and co-workers warm!

Unified Comfort Systems: Your Wintertime HVAC Partner

At Unified Comfort Systems, we’re committed to keeping your home comfortable, no matter the season. Our Yearly Maintenance Plan includes a fall furnace tune-up and a spring AC inspection, ensuring your system is ready for any weather!

Benefits of Our Maintenance Plan:

• Biannual 30- and 25-point inspections for your AC and furnace.
• Priority service and expert care.
• A 10% discount on all services for plan members.

Stay Warm with Unified Comfort Systems

Don’t wait until the frost sets in! Schedule your winter HVAC maintenance today and enjoy a stress-free season. Contact Unified Comfort Systems to learn more about our services and maintenance plans.

Stay warm, stay comfortable, and let Unified Comfort Systems handle the rest!

Enjoy enhanced indoor comfort this winter, with the Comfort Professionals from Unified Comfort Systems. We offer our HVAC services in Stark, Summit, Portage, and Tuscarawas counties – Call (330) 952-4822 to schedule your HVAC service or you can use the Blue Booking buttons found below, and across our website at www.unifiedcomfortsystems.com