Avoid a Holiday Disastrophe With These Tips!
Even mild winters like ours in the greater Austin area are still winter. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, you’ll want to ensure your long-forgotten heating system is up for the challenge of cooler temperatures on the horizon.
We Texans don’t always give enough love to our furnaces, but no one wants to welcome family and friends into a home that is anything less than hospitable, especially on the coziest, homiest holiday of the year! So, alongside the mashed potatoes and yams, it might be time to serve up a big helping of prevention. Start readying your heating system now for when you need it down the line. Plus, when you need heating repairs or service in the Bastrop area, look no further than the winning team at Blue Ribbon.
The Heat Is On. Isn’t It?
Let’s keep the guessing games at the kids’ table where they belong. With a few easy steps, you can proactively start preparing your heating system for this winter’s debut. And when you’ve done all you can, our top-notch techs can help you with the rest.
- Take a gander. Start off by doing a visual inspection of your furnace and the area surrounding it. Clean up any dust bunnies that have collected around the unit and dust the vents. Look out for obvious signs of damage, such as loose connectors or dirty burners.
- Testing, testing. Please don’t wait until your home actually needs heat to test your heater! That’s just a recipe for disaster. As soon as the temps start to drop, be sure to do a simple check to make sure the unit turns on and is, most importantly, generating heat.
- Change is in the air. Let’s change out that grody air filter and replace it with a clean variety. A dirty filter can mess with anything from airflow to efficiency to the air quality your family breathes.
- Set the table. Have you rearranged your furniture since the last time you turned on the heat? Has that pile of unread magazines or the dog bed taken up residence over a vent? Do a simple walk-around and make sure all of your vents are free from clutter or other obstructions.
- Slow and steady. That’s not just the way to cook your turkey! It’s also important for your heating system at the beginning of the season. Be sure not to increase the temperature too drastically or all at once. So, if your home has dropped into the low 60s, don’t set your thermostat to 72 right off the bat. Gradually increase the temp a few degrees at a time until you reach your perfect indoor temperature.
- Rest and recharge. This is a great time to change the batteries in your thermostat. While you’re at it, you should do the same for your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
- The pros who know. Schedule a full furnace checkup with the team at Blue Ribbon. You also might want to consider becoming a member of the Blue Ribbon Champion Plan, so your heating and cooling systems are always cooking up comfort deliciousness!
We Gather Together
The team at Blue Ribbon would like to wish you and yours a happy, safe and pumpkin pie-filled Thanksgiving! For the best holiday yet, give your furnace some extra TLC. If we’re being honest, though, an 80-degrees-in-the-shade Thanksgiving is entirely possible here in the Lone Star State. So if you’re looking to upgrade your AC during the offseason, the Blue Ribbon team is here for you. Our highly trained technicians deliver first-rate cooling, heating, plumbing and electrical services. Call us at 512.866.9161 or contact us through our website to schedule an appointment.