Spring is almost underway, and if you haven’t already, you’re probably going to stop using your heating unit soon. No matter what system you have, there are some things that you can do before turning it off for the next six months.
Getting your furnace ready for summer
Is there anything that you need to do to your furnace before turning it off for the summer? There are a few things that we recommend to properly maintain your unit, helping it last for years to come. They’ll also aid in energy efficiency and cost effectiveness. Some of these include:
- Cleaning your furnace (learn more here)
- Changing out the filter
- Turning off the pilot light
- Cleaning out your vents
Summer is also a really good time to replace your furnace! Whether it’s old and lacking the efficiency of newer models or you’ve just had to call in HVAC too many times, installing a unit when you don’t need it is preferable.
Getting your radiator system ready for summer
Taking care of your radiators before they’re no longer heating your home for the summer is key to the longevity of your system. One thing that’s important to do throughout the summer is to turn on your heating system at least once a month. Sitting off for too long isn’t great for your radiators (or boiler) unless you never plan on using it again.
In addition to regular summer care, there are three things you should do before summer:
1. Max out your TRVs
Depending on your system, maxing out your TRVs will ensure water is still running through them. If they stop running for too long, they can get stuck in “off” mode, and that wouldn’t be good for when you finally need them again.
2. Bleed out your radiator
Air bubbles in your radiator system and boiler or heat pump can lead to overheating or air locks. Additionally, excess oxygen will turn into excess hydrogen and that will only cause corrosion. Both of these issues mean damage to your system and will lead to it working less effectively. Both of these problems can be solved by taking the time to empty it out.
You learn more about that here.
3. Give it a little corrosion inhibitor
Even though we put them together to heat homes, water will corrode metal, especially when it’s not running as much during the summer months. Adding in a corrosion inhibitor will mitigate corrosion and rusting, helping your system to stay nicer longer.
Call an HVAC professional
Whether you want help getting your unit ready for summer or not, having an HVAC professional check over your system after it’s been used all winter is key. If any problems arose during use, you definitely don’t want that issue to sit forgotten about for the next 3-6 months. Regular maintenance ensures a long life for your unit as well as optimal efficiency.
Get AG O’Brien out to you by contacting us to set up an appointment with one of our experts!
