At this time of year, the temperature can change in a heartbeat, and winter can literally snap when you least expect it. Don’t get caught out and take it for granted that your HVAC unit, or forced air heater will fire up and work perfectly, especially if it has been dormant for a while. Taking just a few minutes out of your day can save a lot of grief further down the line, and you don’t need to call out an engineer to do any of these.

1. Check your system’s air filters. Your furnace should have easy-to-access air filters and these should be checked fairly regularly. Your ducting may also have filters, and if used for AC as well as heating, then chances are these filters will need a good clean. Failing to have clean filters means you will put undue pressure on you furnace, and airflow pumps, which will reduce the life of the furnace and also greatly affect efficiency. In simple terms, it will cost you a fair few bucks!
2. Buy a carbon monoxide detector. These only cost a few bucks, which is a small price to pay to protect the lives of everyone in the household. Most modern HVAC systems have built-in safety measures if there is ever a buildup of carbon monoxide, but you can never be too careful.
3. Make sure that the furnace is clear of any obstructions. This may seem like a bit of a ‘no brainer’, but over summer months, if your furnace is in the garage or in a cellar, when not in use, it is tempting to lean things against it, or put things on top of it. It is easy to forget you this, and it won’t stop it from firing up, but can cause serious problems if left unattended to!

Here at A&E Air Conditioning and Heating in San Antonio, TX, we are great believers in helping our clients understand that you don’t need an engineer for every little thing related to your furnace or HVAC unit, and that if you book us for an annual or twice-annual check over, you really shouldn’t need to see us at any other time.