There’s no doubt that cold snaps can come on very quickly and leave your heating system stressed. Properly preparing your HVAC system for those cold snaps can help reduce its risk of experiencing a breakdown. Below, we’ll go over our emergency HVAC preparation guide so that you can be better prepared for the next cold snap.
HVAC Maintenance
One of the very best ways to prepare for a cold snap is to get professional HVAC maintenance for your heating system. This will take care of looking over your entire unit, lubricating moving parts, and identifying any potential problems it may have. When our heating technician is done servicing your unit, you can rest assured that it’s operating efficiently and safely.
As a homeowner, there are some maintenance steps you’ll need to take to ensure optimal performance of your heating system throughout the winter. First is to check the air filter and put in a new one about every one to three months, depending on your unique needs. We suggest pulling out the filter at least once a month and checking it to see if it needs to be replaced.
It’s a good idea to check the flue or chimney for your heating system to ensure that it is free from any blockages. Leaves, birds, and even nesting material can all obstruct the flow of toxic fumes out of your home and create dangerous conditions. If you rely on a heat pump, it’s necessary to regularly clear any outside debris that’s near the unit. Twigs, leaves, and even shrubbery can restrict the unit’s airflow and operating efficiency.
Backup Power and Heating Options
It’s always a good rule of thumb to have a backup power source in the event that your main heating source goes out. When your local power grid goes out, traditional furnaces and heat pumps can’t operate because there’s no electricity. You may want to consider purchasing a backup generator to provide energy for your HVAC system during power outages.
Secondary heat sources are another great option to provide adequate heating for your home during those power outages, especially if you don’t have a backup generator powerful enough to run your HVAC system. Some popular choices are wood stoves, pellet stoves, and propane or natural gas space heaters. Whatever your secondary heat source, ensure that it’s properly rated for indoor use. Heating options, like a propane or natural gas space heater, will need proper venting to the outdoors to get rid of toxic exhaust fumes. Be sure to have fuel at your home so that you can use that secondary heat source whenever necessary.
Carbon Monoxide Safety
It’s absolutely imperative that you have carbon monoxide detectors in your home for everyone’s safety and general well-being. Aim to have a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home and outside each bedroom. You should be testing your CO alarms every month and putting in fresh batteries about every six months.
One thing to keep in mind is that many heating systems require adequate ventilation. If you rely on a backup generator or portable heater that burns fuel, it must be properly vented to the outdoors. Without proper ventilation, this can allow toxic carbon monoxide to build up inside your home, which can be deadly in large doses.
Emergency Contractor Contacts
It can be really easy to simply rely on modern-day technology when it comes to contacting your HVAC company. However, when the power goes out, it’s likely that you don’t want to drain the battery on your phone. A great way to avoid this is to already have a pre-written list of trusted local HVAC contractors you can call.
Ensure you choose a company like ours that offers 24/7 emergency repair services. Additionally, it can be helpful to write down the name and contact information for local fuel delivery services. This will ensure that you can have access to adequate fuel for your secondary heating system if you happen to run out.
Insulate and Weather-Proof Your Home
One of the biggest reasons that there’s a major uptick in HVAC emergencies during cold snaps is due to overworking system components. One of the best ways to minimize that excessive wear and tear on your heating system during those cold snaps is to adequately prepare your home for optimal operating conditions. Start by detecting any new air leaks on your exterior walls.
You’ll typically find these around your door and window frames and even at your light switches and electrical outlets on those outside walls. It’s best to use something like a foam insert pad, spray foam, caulking, or even weatherstripping to seal up those air leaks. Preventing cold air from penetrating your home will ensure that the heat your heating system produces can linger in your home for longer.
Insulation plays a big role in the temperature difference between the inside of your home and the outdoors. The higher your insulation’s R-value, the more resistant it will be to the temperature changes due to outside temperature drops. We recommend thoroughly insulating all your exterior walls and your attic to create a thermal barrier for your home. It’s even a good idea to consider insulating around your exposed ducting. Insulation will allow more of the heat to stay in the air as it travels through your ducting to all the rooms in your home.
Performance Monitoring
When a cold snap hits your area, it’s important to be mindful of the operation of your heating system. Pay particular attention to any key signs that your heating system may be experiencing an issue. Some combinations include short cycling, failing to keep up with your heating needs, making odd noises, or even producing a weird smell. It’s best to contact our HVAC professionals promptly to get fast repair services for your unit. The sooner we can repair your heating system, the less damage it’s likely to experience.
If you notice that your main heating system isn’t keeping up with your heating demands during these colder weather snaps, it’s time to activate your secondary heat source. Always make sure you’re prioritizing your family’s safety when using these secondary heat sources. This means double-checking your venting to ensure that it’s completely sealed.
If you’re using any sort of space heater, make sure you’re plugging it directly into a wall outlet and not an extension cord. Many extension cords aren’t rated for the power draw of a space heater, which could lead to overheating of the extension cord. This could eventually lead to an electrical fire.
Additionally, make sure that you’re only running space heaters when you’re in the room, as they can be highly dangerous when left unattended. All it takes is one pet accidentally knocking over the space heater for a house fire to break out. Be sure to keep your interior doors open to adequately circulate air throughout your main living spaces for optimal comfort.
Trustworthy Heating Maintenance Service
Ace Heating & Cooling offers trustworthy heating maintenance service in Plaistow, NH. We can also assist with all your heating repair, installation, and replacement needs. Simply phone our office today to book your next tune-up appointment with one of our knowledgeable heating technicians.
