Tips for Preparing Your Heater for Winter

As the season gets colder, the blankets get thicker and the layers of clothing become heavier. The heater suddenly takes front and center, becoming an important fixture in your home or office.

Some people mistakenly believe that putting the heater back to work after a good several months in storage is as simple as turning it on. However, there are things you can do to ensure optimization of its use. Here are a few tips to help you better make use of your heater.

Clean Out Vents and Registers

In order for the heated air to flow smoothly throughout the intended space, it’s important for the vents and registers to be clean and free of dust and debris. Much in the same way that you need those parts to be clear of any obstruction for cool air from the air conditioner to pass through, it would also make the heating of the room more efficient.

Make sure to open the vents all the way through to be able to fully clear it out, in case there are obstructions inside.

Replace Filters

Part of regular practices for proper HVAC maintenance is the replacement of filters. That’s because the filters are there primarily to prevent dust and other particles from getting into the HVAC unit, possibly bogging down its efficiency.

Over time, these filters would have collected enough dust and particles that it became the hindrance to the HVAC unit’s functionality. With the filter already full, the HVAC unit is unable to breathe out the air, whether hot or cold, effectively because it is being blocked by the clog in the filter.

There are reusable filters, which only need a simple wash. It would be ideal to get those cleaned out and then replaced with a new one, so that the HVAC unit can work optimally.

Keep Surroundings Clear

As a safety precaution, it’s best that you place your heater in a location where there are no other objects around it such as furniture, boxes, containers, and others. While heaters are generally safe and should have safety measures built into it, there are items that are fire hazards. And even with the odds being low that your furniture will catch on fire because the heater is close by, it’s still better to err on the side of caution, if only for your safety and the rest of your family.

Get Regular Maintenance Checks

Because your heater is in storage for a good half of the year, it’s important to also have it go through regular checks and maintenance. Unless you are well-versed in the build of HVAC units, and are knowledgeable on how to handle the parts, it’s much more ideal and cost-efficient for you to call in a professional to take care of it for you.