New Homes WEB-NH-OCT 2017 | Page 6

6 THINGS TO DO BEFORE THE COLD WEATHER HITS – C H RI S B RUC E – As hard as it is to admit, fall is upon us and while adjusting to the change in temperature can be an adjustment personally, our homes also need to make an adjustment. Here are a few ways you can ensure your home HVAC system is ready for winter. 1 2 Adjust your thermostat. As the seasons change, the first place you’ll want to have a look at inside your home is your thermostat. With the advancement of thermostat and furnace technology over the past few years, you should be able to find a comfortable temperature in your home. Some thermostats have a “heat” or “cool” switch, make sure yours is in the “heat” position. If you have a programmable thermostat, cycle through the menus and make sure your programming schedule matches your winter lifestyle. Cover your air conditioner and turn the electrical disconnect and/or breaker to the off position, and before putting on your air conditioner cover for the winter be sure to flip the breaker or disconnect switch. Doing this is a great safeguard against accidentally turning your AC on in the winter, which could potentially damage the unit. Page 6 New Homes October 2017 3 Change your furnace filter. Regular filter changes are imperative to maintaining a healthy furnace. A dirty filter can reduce the airflow which can wreak havoc on your furnace or cause nuisance “no heat” calls. After replacing your filter remember to write down the date you changed the filter to help you maintain a regular filter change schedule. The frequency of filter changes will vary with how often your furnace runs, type of filter, and your outside environment. It is recommended that it be checked at least once per month.