Tips for upcoming cold weather

Test run your equipment

None of us want to turn the heat on sooner than necessary. A test run will give you piece of mind that your unit will actually come on when you need it. Nobody likes to go out to his or her car first thing in the morning just to realize you have a dead battery. If your heater is not going to kick on, it is best you know before you actually need heat. Best opportunity to test run is one of these chilly evenings.

Change air filters regularly
This is the easiest, cheapest thing a homeowner can do to help avoid problems in their heating and/or cooling system. Depending on what type of filter you have, it should be checked or changed every 1-3 months. Even if you have the expensive cleanable air filters that last an entire year, it is still worth a minutes time to give it a check for dirt or anything that might block airflow.

Tune-up your equipment
As with any piece of mechanical equipment, proper maintenance will ensure that it is running optimally and efficiently. A little preventative maintenance can go a long way to avoiding untimely breakdowns and prolonging the life of your equipment. Hillside does maintenance, repairs, tune-ups, and offers annual maintenance plans for almost all types of equipment. Check our services HERE.

Close unused heating vents
If you have rooms or areas of your home that do not need direct heat, close off the registers or vents. If that part of your house does not need to be heated to a comfortable sitting temperature, don’t waste your money.

Time to consider replacing your equipment?
Nobody likes to think about such a major expense, but if you have to, the payback time for newer more efficient equipment is getting shorter and shorter. An investment today can show payback in savings of utility costs in just a few years. No more worrying about the life of your equipment. Hillside ALWAYS gives free estimates on new and replacement equipment. Financing available for those that qualify.

Consider a programmable thermostat
These programmable thermostats are ideal for people who have a set schedule, leaving and returning home at the same time each day. A programmable thermostat will turn your system on and off to meet your schedule, so it is warm when you get home, but saving you money while you are away.

If your schedule is unpredictable consider a thermostat that you can access from anywhere you have your smartphone or internet access. Turn your equipment on or off, adjust the temperature, check outside temperature, and even change your program schedule whenever you need! This is the ONLY thermostat that has no monthly, annual, or maintenance fees. One time installation and it is yours forever. Give us a call if you are interested or would like more info.