Preparing Your Home for the Cooler Season
As the end of the year approaches so does the cooler weather of the later months. Another summer of Texas heat has almost been defeated by all of us here in Central Texas. As this cooler weather approaches keep these tips in mind to prepare your home for the cooler season.
Your HVAC system
Most homes in Texas center around forced-air systems for both their cooling and heating. If you’re not properly maintaining this equipment it can have a big effect on how efficiently your home’s HVAC equipment performs. Additionally, understanding how well your home holds its heat can help you save with a programmable thermostat.
Replacing Your Air Filter
Clogged air filters can restrict the air flow of your heating system, but also reduce the system’s efficiency and lifespan. Disposable air filters are more likely to buckle when they become clogged and can wind up circulating all the dust and dirt it’s collected back into your home.
To be on the safe side be sure to change your air filter every three months.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Furnace
Dust, dirt and other debris tend to collect around your furnace’s blower compartments if your system is leaky or clogged. An inspection can be performed by turning off both the thermostat and system’s breaker on your main fuse box.
Once you’re in you can remove the panel and clean the inside of dust and debris. A light brushing should suffice.
Air-Seal Your Ductwork
Taking time to air-seal the duct work in your home can have many benefits. A leaky return duct will pull less air from the rooms it’s supposed to – as well as pull from rooms it’s not. On average, 20-30% of air moving through duct work in a home leaks out through holes, gaps, seams, and disconnections which will make the rooms different from their target temperature. Sealing duct work not only improves efficiency but also better controls the amount of debris and dust, moisture or mold problems.
Programmable Thermostat
If you keep your home on the same temperature to save energy then let us be the first to inform you that this is a myth. The cooler something is the easier it is to get colder. The same rules apply to heat. Knowing this and using a programmable thermostat can save you close to $200 every year in energy costs.
Consider these tips to prepare your Austin or Central Texas home for the approaching cooler weather. For more articles and tips to improve your home check out our property management blog.
