Maybe you just had a brand-new furnace installed, or maybe you’ve moved into a new house and you’re unfamiliar with your HVAC system. Make sure you know the key steps to take before warming up your home.

For starters, make sure your HVAC system has had a tuneup if it’s not new, or a professional installation if it is. It’s easy to go crank up the furnace on a chilly Utah January day, but move too fast and you could damage the system.

Check the air filter first to make sure it’s clean. If you recently had a furnace installation or a tuneup, a reputable HVAC technician should have installed the filter or swapped it out, if necessary. However, many homeowners take on this task themselves since it’s so simple.

Regularly changing the air filter, especially if this is the first time you’re turning on the furnace this season, helps optimize air quality, puts less stress on your HVAC system and reduces fire hazards.

Ready, Set …

Check your thermostat to make sure it’s set at a reasonable temperature. You don’t know what the previous homeowners preferred, or if your HVAC technician adjusted the settings accordingly.

Programmable thermostats can sometimes be confusing, and if you’re uncertain of how to set yours, ask an HVAC technician to help you (alternatively, you also can call the manufacturer’s customer service number). Many people are going with smart home technology, which can control your thermostat and thus reduce energy consumption and utility bills.

Ensure all of the air vents are open. That helps your furnace work better and move air throughout the home easier. Return air registers shouldn’t be blocked by rugs, furniture or anything else. Aim for at least a one-foot berth between registers and objects — but the more space, the better.

Clean and Tidy

The furnace is often found in the basement or in a closet in many homes. These are spaces that are rarely used, and it’s common for dust to collect or for areas around the furnace to become a storage space.

Regularly sweep and vacuum the area, especially before turning on the furnace for the first time. Otherwise, dust can be sucked into the system, compromising it at worst and giving you poor air quality at best. This is also a great time to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

If your HVAC system isn’t brand new, have the air ducts cleaned annually. Finally, schedule reminders to test your furnace on a monthly basis, including in the summer months. This can help alert you to problems before you really need your furnace on that first frosty day. For all your furnace needs, contact Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning, your local experts.

Changing your furnace filter is one HVAC maintenance task homeowners can do themselves. Everything else should be left to a licensed professional.

This is your simple how-to guide that makes filter changing safe and easy. However, if you’re still a little uncertain, ask your HVAC technician for help during your next inspection. A reputable pro will be happy to show you how to do it. In some cases, HVAC systems need a filter change as often as once per month. It depends on your home, how many people live there and how much dust accumulates.

New filters are easy to find online or at your local hardware store. Check yours to make sure you get the right size — the dimensions should be printed on the edge. Or to be extra sure, just bring the whole thing with you. Alternatively, you can find the information on the furnace itself.

You don’t need the most expensive filter, in most cases. When they’re changed regularly, you can go for a moderately priced filter from an established company. Higher-quality air filters will do a better job of collecting dust, dander, pollen and even spores. It also may be a good idea to buy in bulk. Air filters don’t go bad, and you’ll be more likely to change them regularly if you have a small stock on hand.

A Change Will Do You Good

Ready to change the filter? First, find the air handler. It’s an access panel that’s often right beside your furnace. Again, your HVAC technician can show you where this is, too. The filter will be pretty easy to spot inside the air handler. It’ll likely be coated in dirt and dust (you don’t need to be a professional to see that it needs swapping).

Make sure you note which direction the airflow is headed (there’s an arrow) so you install the new air filter in the right direction.

After you put the new filter in, check again to make sure the arrow is pointing in the right direction. Close the access door, if you have one, and you’re finished! It’s a lot like the lint screen on your dryer, but instead of cleaning it off, you just pop in a new one.

During the winter months, and especially the holiday season, it’s common to have more dirt buildup than normal. You’re staying indoors more often, you’re pulling out decorations that may be coated in dust, and you’re having more company — all this brings more dirt into the home.

What’s the Big Deal?

Many homeowners think it’s no big deal if they don’t change their filter for months at a time. On average, it’s best to replace every three months (again, every home is different). Will your HVAC break if you don’t replace it? No — at least not for a long time.

However, your furnace filter regulates the air quality in your home. To ensure your furnace is functioning at top level, contact Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning and schedule an inspection.

Many homeowners cover their air conditioners in the off season to protect them from harsh weather, cold temperatures and falling leaves and debris. But is it really necessary?

All HVAC equipment that’s designed to be outside is well-equipped to handle anything Jack Frost can throw at it. It was made to stand up to treacherous weather, temperature extremes and piles of snow.

However, if you have a very old system, it might not be as tough as newer models.

None of the major air conditioner manufacturers specifically recommend that you cover your equipment in the winter. They also don’t recommend any conditions where covering is required. Still not convinced? Consider this: The manufacturers probably would include a cover if they thought it was necessary.

Unwelcome Guests

There are reasons not to cover your air conditioner (besides it being a waste of time). For starters, rodents and other pests might take a liking to that complementary cover!

You’re not the only one looking to keep warm this winter. Covered AC units can become home base for pests, which can lead to issues like chewed wiring and insulation (after all, those rodents need to make nests somehow).

There’s also the issue of mildew and mold in covers. This is especially prevalent in the spring, but you probably won’t realize it until you uncover your air conditioner in early summer. Your unit needs airflow — it’s what keeps mold and mildew at bay.

Technically, mold in your air conditioner won’t harm you like it can when it’s indoors, but it certainly can prevent airflow and minimize your ACs efficiency. Even then, covers do nothing to stop moisture from getting inside — and wasn’t that the point of covering in the first place?

Water can still get on the condenser coils, freeze, and ultimately damage them. There’s a small chance of this happening over time anyway, whether you cover or not.

Take Cover!

Sometimes covering may be a good idea. For example, if your region is prone to hailstones (and you know there’s a storm coming), you might want to cover your air conditioner. Or if a blizzard is expected, you may want to cover it up.

Still, you don’t need a fancy, expensive cover. A simple tarp with rope and even duct tape will do the trick — or you can find an affordable option online.

Your air conditioner is an investment, and it should be protected, but it will do a fine job (usually!) on its own. Call Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning today for any questions on air conditioner maintenance in the winter, or to schedule a routine inspection.