What to Look Out for as You Turn on the Heat

With cooler temperatures sweeping through New York this month, you’ve probably started hearing your heater click on more frequently. As we move into colder winter months, the performance of your HVAC systems becomes increasingly critical for your building operations. Whether you’re looking for an HVAC winter tune-up or you’re considering testing your HVAC system, read about these four fundamental steps you can take to optimize your system performance.

  1. Change air filters

The simplest step you can take to optimizing HVAC performance is simply swapping out your old air filters for new ones. Over time, filters become clogged with dust and allergens, reducing the efficiency of your system. Depending on your working environment, you may need to change your filters as frequently as each month. At the very minimum, we recommend changing out your filters on a seasonal basis. Your heater kicking on is a perfect reminder to get check the status of your filters and replace them with fresh ones if they’re saturated with dirt and dust. You’ll be maximizing your HVAC system’s performance while simultaneously improving indoor air quality.

  1. Test thermostats

With the seasonal change, it’s a good idea to test the working condition of your thermostats. On a cold morning, set your thermostat to your ideal temperature. Note how long it takes for your system to get to that temperature. If it takes a long time or your system is unable to reach the ideal temperature, you should have your system looked over by a professional. If you have an outdated thermostat, upgrading to a digital thermostat can save you money on your utility bills by allowing you to program automatic temperature settings for times of day and days of the week.

  1. Clean air vents

If your system takes a while to get to the correct temperature, cleaning your air vents can help by maximizing proper air circulation. Make sure that nothing is obstructing the flow of air in or around vents and ducts. You can even have your ducts thoroughly cleaned to improve indoor air quality while maximizing system performance.

  1. Testing and commissioning your HVAC system

HVAC systems can easily last 20+ years when properly maintained. However, proper maintenance requires regular HVAC testing and commissioning. Properly testing and maintaining your system is a small initial investment that can save you serious money in the long run. We can perform more intensive performance testing to maximize the energy efficiency of your systems at the beginning of each season. If you’ve implemented a commissioning process, we can take care of that for you. Commissioning is an industry term for the process by which we ensure that your HVAC systems are operating the way they are intended to. We make sure that all existing equipment is installed correctly and in the right place according to the manufacturer’s standards, so you can be confident your HVAC is ready for the winter.

If you need any help getting your HVAC systems ready for the winter, contact React Industries today, and we’ll send out one of our expert technicians.