Expert Tips on Maintaining Your Heating System in New Orleans

When the time comes for temperatures to drop, here in New Orleans, being sure that your heating system is reliable and performing in optimal condition becomes a serious priority for local homeowners. The unique New Orleans climate, with the damp winters, means that regular preventative maintenance is an essential when it comes to avoiding any unexpected breakdowns and downtime with your heating.

Whether you’re relying on a furnace, a heat pump, or any other type of heating system, having a deep understanding of how to maintain it properly can extend its lifespan, all while improving performance and saving you some coin on your energy bills. 

Today, we’re diving into a few expert tips you New Orleans homeowners can use to properly maintain your heating system.

Let’s get started!

The Importance of Regular Maintenance for Heating Systems

Your regular maintenance is the key to guaranteeing your heating system is operating smoothly and efficiently all winter long. The unpredictable New Orleans weather calls for a reliable heating system to maintain a comfortable home during the holidays. Without proper maintenance, your system is more likely to experience more severe wear and tear that otherwise wouldn’t have had an effect on your system had you conducted maintenance. 

If you weren’t aware, one of the primary benefits of regular maintenance is that it’s preventative. Regular preventative maintenance helps you catch small issues and avoid the big ones. Tasks as simple as cleaning and replacing air filters can not only improve your airflow but also reduce the strain on your HVAC system. This not only elevates performance, it extends the lifespan of your system and boosts energy efficiency.

Similarly, regular assessments and inspections of your heating system and its components allow our team of specialists to identify any components that are worn out and in need of replacement before they cause a system breakdown. 

Your scheduled preventative regular maintenance will contribute to the long-term reliability of your system. When you keep your system in good health, you’re reducing the likelihood of heartache from unnecessary breakdowns and avoiding expensive replacements. 

Essential Maintenance Tasks for Homeowners

There are aspects of heating system maintenance that do, in fact, require a professional, but there are some tasks that you can totally do yourself as a New Orleans homeowner to be sure your system runs smoothly all winter long.

Regularly Change Air Filters 

One of the most important tasks you can complete when it comes to your heating system’s maintenance is regularly changing your air filters. The purpose of air filters is to trap any dust or pollutants that have the capacity to float through the air and negatively impact your indoor air quality. The more debris that gets caught in these traps, the harder it is for your clean air to circulate.

Be sure to change your air filters to keep your air clean and take some of the strain off of your heating system. 

Check and Calibrate the Thermostat

Be sure to consistently check and calibrate your thermostat. Inaccuracies regarding your thermostat can cause your heating system to run inefficiently, whether it be by heating your space too much or not enough. 

If you have an outdated thermostat, it might be time for a smart thermostat. They’re easy to calibrate, and so can be done remotely. These little devices aid you in setting specific temperatures for specific times of day, helping you save money and energy in the long run. 

Inspect and Clean Ductwork

Inspecting and cleaning your ductwork regularly is an impactful way to lessen the strain on your system. Over time with use, your heating system will build up dust, dirt, and other allergens that can really back up your ducts. This build-up reduces the efficiency of your system’s heating and the indoor air quality of your home. 

Now, if you notice some serious buildup because your ducts haven’t been cleaned in quite a few years, it might be time to tag in a professional.

Lubricate Moving Parts

Finally, lubricate those moving parts. Your heating system can incur some serious wear and tear if the moving parts aren’t properly lubricated; instead, they are grinding against each other, producing some severe mechanical issues. 

This task, more often than not, would be easier with a professional, but this is still a task that can be completed at home if you understand where the motors, bearings, and belts are required to be lubricated to operate smoothly. 

The Role of Professional Heating Maintenance Services

DIY heating system maintenance tasks can be valuable; when it comes to professional heating system maintenance, there are elements that come with it that are unmatched. By hiring a New Orleans HVAC company, like Optimum Air Solutions, for your regular maintenance, you are guaranteeing that your system will be thoroughly inspected, cleaned, and calibrated to operate at its peak efficiency every time–not to mention you can be absolutely sure that all of your system’s warranties will remain intact. 

Your heating system’s maintenance is vital when it comes to ensuring your comfort, safety, and overall energy efficiency in your New Orleans home. If you don’t have the time for DIY maintenance, give the Optimum Air Solutions team a call! We’ll conduct any regular preventative maintenance, repair, installation, or replacement services you need! Click here to speak with one of our specialists, and we’ll have you breathing easy in the Big Easy in no time.