Now that the calendar officially says it’s fall and the temperatures are starting to drop, it’s time to think about preparing your home’s heating system for the winter. Whether you have a hot water system or a forced air furnace, a little TLC now can do wonders to avoid heating repair in Grand Rapids, MN, help lower your energy bills and much more. Keep reading to learn a little bit more about getting your system ready for winter.
DIY tune-ups and maintenance
You don’t need to call an HVAC pro for all of your maintenance needs! You can perform these relatively simple tasks by yourself if you have a few hours to spare:
- Drain: As the name suggests, hot water systems essentially heat your home by heating up water in a boiler and then circulating it through your home. Throughout the year, sludge begins to develop on the bottom of the boiler, which can have some serious consequences in the long run. You can drain this sludge on your own by turning off the burner, closing the water inlet valve, placing a bucket under the boiler drain valve and then waiting for the water to run clear. Keep in mind that this water will be quite hot, so we advise waiting an hour or so after you turn off the burner to drain the water. This quick maintenance tip will help reduce energy costs and ensure your heater works through the winter.
- Bleed: The other thing you can do with your hot water system is bleed the radiators. Air frequently gets trapped in the radiator, which prevents hot water from entering. You do this by placing a pan under the bleed valve and then opening the valve with a screwdriver or radiator key. Only air will come out of the radiator at first, but water will eventually follow. Again, doing this quick bleed will help your unit function throughout the winter.
- Change filters: If your home has a forced air furnace, you need to change the filters each month. Swapping out the filter drastically improves energy efficiency while preventing sudden breakdowns in the middle of the winter. These filters are only a few dollars at the hardware store, and changing them is as easy as can be.
Professional tune-ups
The tips mentioned aren’t quite enough to keep your heating unit up and running as it should. These are a few of the things a professional has to handle:
- Inspection and cleaning: Have a contractor’s number on hand and call him each fall to inspect and clean your heating system. A professional can inspect your hot water heating system or your forced air furnace to see if there are any glaring issues that need to be fixed before the winter season starts. After the pro determines that everything is okay, he should clean all of the intricate parts to avoid the need for heating repair in Grand Rapids, MN.
- Flush: If your hot water heating system has never been drained or is very old, it may need to be flushed by a professional. A heating technician can clear your boiler out with chemicals and hot water to eliminate all of that nasty buildup that makes your unit less energy efficient.
Whether you have a radiant heating system or a standard furnace, be sure to choose Rapids Heating & Plumbing Inc. for maintenance and heating repair in Grand Rapids, MN! We offer a wide range of services, all at the most competitive rates in town. Get in touch today to schedule service.