Winter Heating Considerations: Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is coming, and with it, Punxsutawney Phil’s annual prediction of what weather we can expect for the next six weeks. But unless you’re repeating the day over and over, winter heating season is nearly over either way, and spring is fast approaching.

Groundhog Day is the perfect time to start doing basic spring maintenance. Here are a few steps you can take.

Check for Leaks

Anywhere air is able to leak in from outside, it undermines your HVAC system, forcing it to work harder and using more energy. Check your doors and windows to see if there are any air leaks, and inspect your walls and baseboards for cracks and other damage. Air can also leak in from behind lightswitch and outlet plates.

If you really want to be thorough in finding air leaks, get a home energy audit. Your HVAC technician attaches a giant fan to your door, which sucks the air out. He then uses specialized equipment to locate all the places air is still getting in, so that you can seal them.

Schedule Your Annual Tuneup

When winter heating season draws to a close, it won’t be too much longer before you’ll need to start running your A/C instead. But first you need to make sure your system, which you haven’t used since summer ended, is still in good working order. And particularly if the spring weather does come early, Groundhog Day is a good day to schedule your HVAC maintenance appointment.

Your HVAC technician will give the system a thorough going over, making sure it’s not wasting energy. They’ll oil all moving parts, and replace failing components, before they break in the middle of a heat wave. They’ll even check your thermostat settings to ensure you’re getting maximum comfort for the least amount of energy output. If you want an easy and comfortable cooling season without inflating your power bill, it’s important to schedule your annual tuneup right away.

For more tips on winter heating, contact us at CCAC. We’re Corpus Christi’s trusted source for quality HVAC solutions.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about your HVAC system, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.