Winter Maintenance 7 Tips for Your Houston AC
Your Houston area AC needs winter maintenance to stand up to the cold. It’s does not stay cold for long along the Texas Gulf Coast, but the weather can drop 30-40 degrees in an afternoon when cold fronts come to town.
Our coldest month in Houston tends to be in January. According to the National Weather Service in Houston/Galveston, Houston averages only 11 days of 32 degrees or cooler. In Galveston, it is only 8 days. That’s not to say it hasn’t been colder or that it has never snowed, but cold weather does not tend to stick around for long.
Nevertheless, getting your Houston AC system ready for the winter with timely maintenance is a smart investment in your comfort. Here are our seven best tips Houston homeowners can use.
1. Check Your Furnace On/Off Switch
We frequently receive phone calls at the beginning of fall from homeowners calling because their heater will not turn on. We ask if anyone has been in the attic recently, since heating equipment is frequently located in the attic.
If so, the culprit could be the furnace switch. Many homeowners accidentally turn it off thinking it’s the attic light. Don’t let a quick fix ruin your holiday prep. It is easy to DIY by checking the furnace switch first.
2. Turn Your Heater On
If a cold front is coming to town and you have rarely had your heat on before, consider turning your furnace or electric heater on before the cold weather arrives and settles in.
If your heater does not click on like it should, you have time to call for help before your home becomes uncomfortably cold.
3. Remove Debris From Your Outdoor HVAC Unit
Whether you have a heat pump or air conditioner, it is a good idea to clear out leaves, branches, and vegetation from around your outdoor unit.
If you’re going to be bagging up leaves, trimming bushes, and hanging holiday lights, now is a good time to make sure vines are not smothering your outdoor unit. Debris around your outdoor unit can reduce its overall capacity. This is why it’s a good idea to create some space around your outdoor unit(s).
4. Replace Batteries in Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
The Texas Department of Insurance recommends replacing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms every 10 years because sensors can wear out. Batteries should be checked yearly. If you forget, count on the “chirp” reminder at 3 a.m.
During your regular fall heater check, ask your favorite HVAC company if they can change the batteries for you to save time.
If your home did not come with smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarms, you can purchase them inexpensively from any hardware store. Again, your HVAC technician can properly install them for you in bedrooms, hallways, and in your attached garage.
5. Change Air Filters Each Season
Changing your HVAC system’s air filters is a task that should be done every three months or more often if you have 1-inch pleated filters. If your filters are looking especially dirty or furry, consider changing them more frequently.
For those who have a 4” media filter, you will only need to change your filter every six months. Just ask us if you’re interested in a filter that lasts for months at a time.
Customers frequently ask us if they can use both 1-inch and 4-inch filters with their AC system. We do not recommend using both. Pick 1-inch filters or the 4-inch media filter for best results.
When we service commercial properties, we recommend more frequent replacement of air filters, at least quarterly. Commercial properties use higher volumes of heating and cooling, so their filters tend to wear out sooner.
6. Fix Air Leaks and Make Energy Efficiency Upgrades
The best time to make energy efficiency upgrades is in the milder season before extreme temperatures arrive. Adding insulation to your attic, sealing up air leaks around doors and windows, or replacing single-paned windows are all ways to make your home more energy efficient.
If the weatherstripping around exterior door frames has gotten damaged, the fall is a great time to replace it. Any upgrades that you do will keep you more comfortable with lower utility bills all year long.
7. Schedule Fall AC Maintenance
Regular maintenance for your AC is a great way to get your heater ready for the next cold front. Whether you have a furnace, heat pump, or hybrid/dual-fuel system, your favorite AC and heating company will give your heater a thorough inspection and prevent common breakdowns on a cold night.
During a heater check, we check electrical parts, sensors, thermostat settings, burners or heat strips, condensate drain, ductwork, and vents. We simulate failures to ensure safety systems work the way they should.
Today’s modern heaters, heat pumps, and furnaces have more safety systems than ever, so they are simultaneously more efficient and safe than they were even 20 years ago.
If you have in-duct air purification or a whole home dehumidifier, we check those and can adjust the settings for the cool season. At your request, we can source and replace filters and change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
PRO TIP: Most air conditioning and heating companies offer preventative maintenance plans that will offer at least two maintenance visits per year to service your heating and cooling system. These plans can be a good value with perks, such as priority service and discounts on parts if you need a repair during the year.
We Can Help You Stay Warm this Winter in Houston, Texas
Getting ready for Houston’s cool season? Invest in preventative AC maintenance to keep you comfortable for the long haul. Contact the experts at Castle A/C & Heating and book your next visit online. We start offering fall heater checks when the weather cools in mid- to late-October and through the winter.
We also offer a “Set It and Forget It Assurance Plan,” for homeowners who would like to schedule and pre-pay for AC maintenance.
Our family-owned business was founded with the purpose of keeping our customers comfortable no matter what. Let us help you maintain your castle with our royal service. We serve the Greater Houston area from Southwest Houston through Midtown and the Bay Area.
