While the coolness of winter can be a welcome change after a busy and hot summer season, the icy weather can sometimes cause problems for your ducted heating system. From conducting routine duct cleaning to winterising your outdoor unit and replacing old parts, this article will go over some tips for getting your ducted heating system ready for winter.
Have Your System Inspected by a Professional
Ideally, before the winter season begins, you should have your ducted heating system inspected by a licensed HVAC technician or duct cleaning specialist. They’ll be able to conduct a thorough examination of the system itself, noting any major or minor repairs that need to be carried out. They’ll also be able to give you expert advice on what you can do to prepare your duct system so it continues to work seamlessly throughout the winter months.
Have Your Ducts Cleaned
Throughout the year, your ducts will invariably harbour a build-up of contaminants and particles such as dust, pet dander and debris. While normally this won’t diminish the performance of your duct system, excessive build-ups of these contaminants can force the duct system to work harder than it was designed to. This not only causes a spike in your energy bills, but can also rapidly degrade the components of your duct system, leading to costly major repairs. Duct cleaning is the easiest and simplest solution to clear your ducts of any excessive contaminant build-ups and get the system working to its full capacity again within a matter of hours.
Winterise Your Outdoor Units
Depending on just how cold your particular area gets, you may want to consider winterising any outdoor equipment and components that are vital to the performance of your ducted heating system. This can include the removal of any debris such as leaves, sticks and dirt that are scattered around the outdoor unit. It also doesn’t hurt to give your outdoor unit a thorough exterior clean at this stage. Once debris has been removed and the exterior has been wiped, you might consider building a protective cover for the unit that will repel debris as well as mitigate the effects of freezing temperatures during the winter months.
Replace Aged Parts & Components
If you’ve had the same ducted heating system in your home for a long time, then one of the best ways you can prepare it for winter is to replace any of its aged parts and components. While the overall efficiency of the system itself will decrease when certain components need replacing, the colder temperatures could also prevent certain parts of the system from working entirely. This could lead to a total system failure which will make getting through the winter months that much harder for you and your family. If you’re unsure which specific parts and components need replacing or how to conduct the replacement yourself, don’t hesitate to call a HVAC technician or duct cleaning professional who will be more than happy to assist.
