How to Shut Down Your Heating System for Spring & Summer
Spring has sprung, and this season is about more than just spring cleaning and lawn care. It’s a time to prepare your home for the intense summer heat and humidity. One of the most important tasks you can perform at this time of year is to shut down your heating system. This will help save energy and money until temperatures start to drop again in the fall.
Need a few tips to make this process go safely and smoothly? Read on. If you find yourself short on time or don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, the qualified professionals at Air Experts Heating & Cooling are here to help!
How to Shut Down Your Heating System
With one more winter behind you, and hotter days ahead, follow these steps to safely shut down your heating system for spring:
- Turn off the pilot light. A standing pilot light remains lit around the clock, ready and waiting for the next heating cycle while continuously consuming gas. Skip this step if your water heater is connected through your heating system. Unless you need the pilot light to fuel another appliance, it’s safe to turn it off.
- Flip the switch. Change the settings on your thermostat from “heat” to “cool”, and if you have a programmable or smart thermostat, input your new temperature settings and adjust the timing if needed.
- Change your air filter. Since both your heating and cooling systems share the same air handler, they also share the same filter. A dirty filter reduces the airflow to your cooling system, causing it to work harder to deliver conditioned air. This wastes energy and places unnecessary stress on system components. Start cooling season with a clean filter, and replace it every four to six weeks throughout the spring and summer.
- Put safety first. Now is a great time to check the batteries in your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors to help protect your home and family.
- Start fresh. Make a clean sweep of the area surrounding your heating equipment, removing any items that may have accumulated there over time. In addition to being a fire and safety hazard, clutter is a hindrance when trying to perform service, maintenance, or repairs.
- Weigh your options. Before you shut down your heating system for spring & summer, ask yourself a few important questions. Did your system perform well over the past winter? Was heat distributed evenly throughout your home? Were your energy bills in line with previous years? Did you need to make any costly repairs? Review any concerns with Air Experts for sound advice on potential repairs or replacement.
- Schedule HVAC maintenance. Schedule spring HVAC maintenance to ensure your cooling system is cleaned, tuned, and inspected before cooling season begins.
The Benefits of Spring HVAC Maintenance
Having a reliable cooling system in place is a necessity in the Raleigh-Durham summer heat and humidity. Schedule spring maintenance with Air Experts to experience the following benefits:
- Enhanced efficiency. Clean, well maintained HVAC equipment delivers optimal performance, and uses less energy.
- Increased lifespan. When operating at peak efficiency, your cooling system experiences less wear and tear, increasing the lifespan of your equipment and protecting your investment.
- Improved air quality. Preventive maintenance and regular filter changes throughout cooling season help keep harmful bacteria, dust, and allergens out of your indoor air.
Shutting down your heating system for the spring and summer, is an important part of spring home maintenance, and can help reduce your fuel costs during cooling season. For assistance with this all-important task, or for any other HVAC concerns, contact Air Experts online, or give us a call at 919-480-2727.
