Is Your Home Ready for the First Freeze? HVAC Tips for Homeowners.

It’s officially fall in North Carolina and that means it’s time to get your home and HVAC unit ready for the first freeze. In central North Carolina the first freeze ranges from mid-October to early November and if you’re caught off guard, it could cause some problems to your home.

We’ve put together a few ways to make sure you’re prepared.

1. Change Your Air Filters. While this may seem like common sense, forgetting to change your filter can restrict your air flow, causing your heating unit to work overtime and your electric bill to increase as well. Check the filter’s manufacturers’ recommendations but generally filters should be changed every 1-3 months or more in homes with pets.
2. Check Your Thermostat Settings. If you have a programmable thermostat, it’s a great time to check your schedule or program to ensure that the temperatures you have set align with when you want your unit running. If your schedule has changed since last year, you probably want to change the thermostat’s routine to match the times when you are home. Turning it down while you’re away or at night can save you money! A programmable thermostat is also a great way to control the temperature of your home from your phone or smart device while you’re away.
3. Keep Vents & Registers Clear & Clean. While you change your filter, it’s also a great time to properly dust your vents. If you’ve been decorating over the summer or fall, ensure your vents and registers are clear from any furniture blocking them, debris, plants, or large objects. A thick layer of dust on your vents can cause your filters to become clogged faster and reduce the air quality in your home.
4. Protect Exposed Pipes. Extremely cold temperatures can put exposed pipes at risk for freezing and possibly busting. Adding insulation to your pipes before the first freeze can prevent problems. This is also a great time to close your attic or crawlspace vents to keep the warm air where you want it and the cool air out.
5. Check For Air Flow Issues. Can you walk by your window or door and feel a small draft? Does one room in your home constantly feel warmer or cooler all year long? Is your furnace making an unusual noise or smell? Has your electric bill been significantly higher since it has turned cooler outside? All of these could indicate red flags for poor air flow or an improperly functioning HVAC system.
6. Schedule The Professionals. You visit the doctor for a checkup, take your car in for an oil change, and clean your clothes and home on a regular basis to make them last longer. The same concept applies to your heat pump or furnace in the winter. Scheduling a tune up or regular seasonal maintenance can uncover costly issues before the first freeze, when you really need the heat. Thornton’s Heating & Air has been serving the residential and commercial heating and air needs of our community for over 50 years. Our semi-annual maintenance agreements are created to help your unit last longer and run the most efficiently all year long, once in the spring and again in the fall.

Before the first freeze arrives and you find yourself stranded with no heat, give Thornton’s Heating & Air a call to schedule your tune up or, if you suspect it’s time for a new heating unit, we’re happy to offer a free estimate and professional advice. In addition to quality products and exceptional service, we’ll even help you with financing options, too. Call Thornton’s Heating & Air today and get ready for the season ahead!