4 Easy Ways to Prepare Your Unit for the Cold (and save money)

Colder weather arrived in one singular afternoon, causing the whole state to switch from shorts to pants before the day was over! And it looks like the cooler weather is here to stay for a while. If you haven’t turned the heat on yet, you might be very soon so it’s time to make sure your unit is prepared for Fall and Winter weather this year. Is your HVAC system prepared to handle cold weather? Even though we probably won’t have freezing temperatures for a while, it’s so important to prepare now for cold weather because waiting too late can result in making an emergency call to us because the furnace is out and the temperature in your house is plummeting. And while we don’t mind helping any time, we would rather do so on the front end and not when you’re miserably cold. Follow these steps to get ready for the cold weather:

1. Change the Filters
   This should be done at the beginning of every season at a bare minimum. It’s probably the easiest way to help out your unit and your home, since a dirty filter can overheat your system or at least cause it to not run at peak efficiency. Changing your filter will help your system stay efficient. New filters can be picked up at your local department store. Feel free to talk to us about better filter options for your home if you want to upgrade.
2. Change to a Programmable Thermostat
   If you don’t already have one, a programmable thermostat is the way to go! Not only are they easy and convenient to use, they can also save you big bucks by being able to schedule out when you do and don’t need the heat on in full use. For example, you could set the thermostat at 65 degrees while you’re at work and then use your smartphone or preset settings to bump the temperature up to 70 degrees so that you come home to a warm house! Let’s talk about getting a programmable thermostat for your home so you can better control the temperature and save money on energy costs.
3. Clean Up Around Outdoor Unit
   If there is any build-up of leaves, weeds, high grass, etc around your unit it could affect the performance of your AC. Take a little time to rake around your unit and remove any debris.
4. Schedule an Inspection
   You should have your unit inspected every fall to prepare for winter. Your HVAC contractors at Xcalibur Services in Birmingham, AL are able to check, inspect, and clean each part of your HVAC system to ensure everything is in good condition and nothing needs repair or replacement. Of course, if we do find worrisome issues, we can make the necessary repairs so that you aren’t left in the cold if your unit fails.

At Xcalibur Services, we have worked diligently to build our reputation of being one of the most trusted teams of HVAC contractors in the Birmingham, AL, area. We want to assist you in keeping your systems running their best! Need to schedule an inspection? Give us a call at (205) 718-8700.

Published: November 3rd, 2020