Top Heating Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

If you have experienced higher energy bills and lower efficiency from your HVAC system, you might be making some heating mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, but while some will only cost you the higher energy bills, others can cost you thousands of dollars in HVAC system repairs or replacement. Luckily, all heating mistakes are avoidable as they are mainly a result of a lack of knowledge.

This blog is about common heating mistakes you could make this winter and how to prevent them.

Running Your System at Full Blast

At times, you might be tempted to crank up your thermostat to heat the house faster. However, that is not how it works. Instead of heating your home faster, cranking up the thermostat will only stress your heating system. A furnace at full blast consumes more energy than a furnace set at a reasonable temperature because it takes more time to produce the same amount of heat.

Skipping Yearly Furnace Maintenance

Never wait to call your HVAC contractor when your system is faulty. Regular HVAC maintenance solves many problems, and no heating system can perform optimally without regular service. Maintenance enables your HVAC technician to identify and fix issues that may affect your heating system's efficiency. Therefore, never postpone your HVAC's annual maintenance, even if the system works perfectly.

Leaving Your Windows Open

Sometimes, you may open your window to let in some fresh air and forget to close it for hours. Though you may not consider it a big deal, such a simple mistake can significantly impact your heating system.

When a window stays open for long, cold air will get inside the house, and all the warm air will escape. Such temperature changes make your heating system work harder to maintain your ideal temperature, leading to higher energy bills and an increased risk of breakdowns.

Forgetting to Change Your Furnace Filter

Furnace filters perform the vital role of keeping airborne contaminants out of your HVAC system. Unfortunately, the filters don’t last forever. You must change your furnace filter regularly, depending on factors like its thickness, the size of your house, and your neighborhood's air quality.

A dirty filter restricts airflow, and, as a result, your HVAC system's blower will strain to move air in, which leads to issues like overheating and high energy bills. In addition, since your equipment will strain to maintain your ideal home temperature, it may break down before the end of its projected usable life.

Trying DIY Hacks

Nowadays, the internet is full of DIY content, as well as HVAC installation and maintenance guides. However, no matter how simple it might look in the tutorials, HVAC installation and maintenance is not a simple task, especially if you lack the field's required skills and experience.

Though some handy people perfectly complete complex home repairs using online tutorials, you need special tools to install or repair HVAC systems. Moreover, DIY HVAC hacks are risky for an average homeowner. HVAC systems have electrical connections and contain flammable and combustible materials. Therefore, you can end up injuring yourself or permanently damaging the system.

Also, remember that a manufacturer could void your warranty if they suspect any unauthorized repairs, meaning you can no longer claim for repairs.

As harmless as they may seem, heating mistakes can be costly. Besides increasing your energy bills, heating mistakes can affect your HVAC system's efficiency or even cause breakdowns.

At Comfort Technology Heating & Air Conditioning, we boast professionally trained expert technicians who can help you repair any damages from any of the above mistakes. Contact us today for the best HVAC installation and maintenance services.