If you own a home in Arlington, VA, Alexandria, VA, McLean, VA, or one of the surrounding areas, you know just how cold it can get in the wintertime. The average temperature is usually somewhere in the 30s throughout the winter months. With this in mind, it’ll be extremely important for your home’s heating system to be up and running like it should. It doesn’t matter if you use a gas furnace or a heat pump to keep your home comfortable. You will need to prepare for the cold winter temps by getting your HVAC system ready to go. Today, we’re going to touch on some of the things that you can do to your HVAC system in preparation for the winter. As long as you do them, you should be able to survive the brutally cold temps that can sometimes touch down in Virginia and stay warm all winter long. Here is how to prepare your HVAC system for the winter. Clean the Area Surrounding Your HVAC SystemBefore you fire up your HVAC system this fall to get it ready for the winter, you should clean the area surrounding it. There is a decent chance that dirt, dust, and clutter have accumulated around your HVAC system since the last time you used it. You’ll be able to keep the inside of your HVAC system so much cleaner when the area surrounding it is clean. You’ll also be able to get better access to your HVAC system when there isn’t a big mess around it. Put a Fresh Furnace Filter in Your HVAC SystemGenerally speaking, you should only have to replace the furnace filter in your HVAC system once every three months. So if you replaced it just before shutting your HVAC system down last spring, your filter might still be in decent shape. But even still, you should replace your existing furnace filter with a fresh furnace filer just to be on the safe side. Furnace filters don’t cost very much, and they aren’t difficult to replace. You should try to start off the new winter season with a fresh furnace filter so that you won’t have to worry about what kind of condition it’s in. Turn Your HVAC System On and Listen for Signs of TroubleOnce you have a new furnace filter in your HVAC system, you should go ahead and turn it on. When you do, you might notice that there will be some strange smells wafting through your home at first. You won’t have to worry too much about these smells unless they linger for a long time. They’re usually the result of dust building up in your HVAC system and getting burned off by the warm air passing through it. When you get your HVAC system going, you should look past the smells and listen for any strange sounds. If you hear any sounds that are out of the ordinary, it could be an indication that there is something wrong with your HVAC system that will need to be fixed before you continue to run it. Make Sure Your Thermostat Is Controlling Your HVAC SystemTo turn your HVAC system on, you’ll obviously need to use your thermostat. If your HVAC system doesn’t kick right on after you set your thermostat to its “Heat” setting, this could present a problem. Your home’s thermostat isn’t going to last forever. You may need to replace it right away if it doesn’t seem to be controlling your HVAC system like it’s supposed to. If your thermostat is on the older side, replacing it with a smart thermostat that you can control from anywhere would be a great idea. See How Well Your HVAC System Heats Up Your HomeIt isn’t enough for your home’s HVAC system to simply start up and run when you test it out. You also need it to heat the inside of your house up within just a few minutes at most. If you sense that there isn’t much warm air coming out of the registers in your home, there may be an issue with your HVAC system that will need to be dealt with. Ask an HVAC Company to Come and Service Your SystemTo keep your HVAC system around for as long as you possibly can, you should get into the habit of having it serviced by a reputable HVAC company at least once every year. They’ll be able to give it a thorough inspection and make sure it’s working properly. It would be well worth hiring an HVAC company in your area to visit your home in the fall each year to service your system. They can ensure that the right maintenance gets done to it. Complete Any and All Necessary HVAC RepairsThere is a chance that an HVAC technician may tell you that you need to make certain repairs to your HVAC system. If they reveal this, you shouldn’t put off any repairs until later. The last thing that you want is for your HVAC system to suddenly stop working in the middle of the wintertime. It’ll make you wish that you had taken the time to repair your system so much sooner. Contact Us to Help You Prepare Your HVAC System for the WinterDo you need a hand getting your home’s HVAC system ready for the winter? Our HVAC company would love to help you out with this by setting you up with our heating services. We can check out your HVAC system from top to bottom to see what kind of shape it’s in. We can also recommend HVAC repairs that should be done and see to it that your system is prepared to begin heating your home on the first cold winter day. Get in touch with us to set up an appointment with an HVAC technician. We can also cater to those with gas fireplace and hot water heater issues. The post How to Prepare Your HVAC System for the Winter appeared first on Legacy Home Comfort. Via https://www.legacyhomecomfort.com/how-to-prepare-your-hvac-system-for-the-winter/
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Did you know that in the winter, heating your home can represent up to 42% of your energy usage? That’s why it’s a good idea to find a reputable HVAC contractor who can help you optimize your gas fireplace, gas furnace, heat pump, or other heating systems. With so many contractors on the market, how do you choose one? In this guide, we’ll show you how to find a professional that can help you to save energy and money. We’ll also provide tips on how to make sure you’re getting the best service and value for your money. Let’s get started. 1. Get ReferralsA great way to find a new doctor, dentist, or other professional is to ask your family and friends for referrals. The same is true for HVAC contractors. When you get a recommendation from someone you trust, you can be sure that the person is qualified and that you will be treated well. Furthermore, referrals can save you time and hassle by helping you avoid the need to research and interview multiple providers. Simply ask your loved ones for their suggestions and then schedule an appointment with the person they recommend. By following this process, you can be sure that you will receive the best possible care. 2. Check the Better Business BureauHiring a contractor can be a daunting task. There are so many things to consider, and it’s important to find someone who is reliable and does good work. One way to help narrow down your search is to check with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB maintains a list of complaints that have been filed against businesses, and this can give you some insight into a company’s reputation. Of course, not every complaint is necessarily valid, but it’s still worth taking a look at. In addition, the BBB can also tell you if the contractor is accredited, which is another good indication of quality. So before you hire a contractor, be sure to do your research and check with the Better Business Bureau. 3. Get EstimatesYou want to find a reputable service provider who can provide professional and quality service at a fair price. To make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, it’s important to get multiple estimates before making a final decision. This way, you can compare prices and get a sense of what the going rate is for the product or service you’re interested in. In addition, getting multiple estimates gives you the opportunity to learn more about the product or service and what options are available. By taking the time to get multiple estimates, you can be confident that you’re making the best possible decision for your needs. 4. Check for Licenses and InsuranceAny time you hire a contractor to work on your home, it’s important to make sure they are licensed and insured. A license shows that the contractor has the skills and training to do the job properly. Insurance protects you from financial responsibility if the contractor damages your property or gets injured while working. Ask to see the contractor’s license and insurance certificate before hiring them, and don’t be afraid to call the licensing board or insurance company to verify that the information is up-to-date. Taking these precautions will help to ensure that you have a positive experience with your home improvement project. 5. Ask About ExperienceBefore hiring a contractor to install or maintain your HVAC system, it’s important to ask about their experience. How long have they been in business? How many HVAC systems have they installed? Do they have any specialized training or certifications? Talking to the contractor and getting a sense of their experience is essential for ensuring that the job is done right. With so much at stake, you need to be sure that you’re working with a contractor who knows what they’re doing. Only then can you be confident that your new HVAC system will be installed correctly and perform optimally for years to come. 6. Read ReviewsAnyone who has ever undertaken a home improvement project knows that finding a reliable contractor is crucial. Not only does the quality of their workmanship have a direct impact on the finished product, but it can also affect your wallet. A great way to get an idea of what other customers have said about a contractor’s workmanship is by reading online reviews. By taking the time to see what others have experienced, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to hire a particular contractor. In addition, online reviews can also be a useful way to compare different contractors side by side. When it comes to making such an important decision, there’s no substitute for doing your homework. 7. Get Everything in WritingWhen you’ve found a contractor that you trust, it’s important to get everything in writing. You should have a detailed contract that outlines the scope of work, materials to be used, the timeline for completion, payment terms, and other information. Having a written contract protects both you and the contractor, and helps to ensure that there are no misunderstandings or surprises down the line. Make sure to read through every detail of the contract, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if something isn’t clear. Once you are satisfied with what’s written in the contract, sign it and keep a copy for your records. Hire a Professional HVAC ContractorBy following these tips, you can be sure to find a qualified contractor who will install, repair or maintain your HVAC system properly. Don’t hesitate to ask the contractor questions about his or her experience and past projects. If you take the time to do your research, you’re sure to find a contractor you can trust to get the job done right. When it comes to HVAC systems in Northern Virginia, trust the experts at Legacy Home Comfort. Our team of highly-trained professionals has years of experience and the knowledge to make sure your HVAC system is installed correctly and performs optimally. Get a quote on your job today. The post 7 Tips on Choosing an HVAC Contractor for Homeowners appeared first on Legacy Home Comfort. Via https://www.legacyhomecomfort.com/7-tips-on-choosing-an-hvac-contractor-for-homeowners/ GAS FIREPLACES
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