Hot Tips On Getting Ready for Cold Weather

Winter is upon us! For those regions that see extreme temperatures, now is the time to prepare to ensure your home weathers cold winter temps with ease. In addition to clearing clogged gutters, closing storm windows and prepping the weather stripping on your windows and doors, checking your home’s furnace, filter and air ducts is an important part of getting your home ready for winter and ensuring the best air quality inside your home all season long.

What to Do

The first step toward winter readiness for the air inside your home is getting your heating and ventilation system cleaned. A complete cleaning should include replacing the filter on your furnace and cleaning the ductwork that runs throughout your home. This will remove built-up dirt, dust and debris, improving indoor air quality and helping your home’s heating and ventilation system run smoother.

Why Winter Readiness Matters

There are a couple key reasons that make cleaning your home’s heating and ventilation system a good idea when it comes to winter prep:

You Save Energy

According to the United States Department of Energy, 56 percent of the energy used to power your home goes to heating and ventilation systems. When those systems begin to wear, they run less efficiently. Even in new buildings, air ducts can be dirty—especially when construction or renovations were recent—and will become even dirtier through everyday use.

You Improve Indoor Air Quality

Your heating and cooling system is the lungs of your home. The system takes air in and breathes air out through the air ducts in your home. Dirt and dust are recirculated throughout your home five to seven times a day, on average. Over time, this causes a buildup of in the ductwork. Dirt may contribute to health issues, especially in people with respiratory conditions, autoimmune disorders or certain allergies. Cleaning the air ducts in your home removes dirt and dust, leading to better indoor air quality.

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