4 Things to Do Before You Turn up The Heat in Las Cruces, NM

When the temperature drops in Las Cruces, NM, there are four steps that you should take before you turn up the heat. This guide highlights each step and key maintenance strategies.

1. Check the Thermostat

Most thermostats for a furnace or boiler pull power from the electrical system in a home. If you have a hardwired thermostat, you should still check its backup batteries. Typically, you should change the thermostat’s batteries when you replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

2. Clean the Ducts

Your heating system operates more efficiently when the ducts are clean. Clean ductwork also helps preserve the air quality when the heat is on. To complete a duct cleaning job, you’ll need to hire a trained HVAC maintenance technician.

3. Replace the Filter

The ducts and filters work together when an air conditioner, furnace or boiler projects air into a home. Before air moves into the ducts, it travels through a filter, which traps dirt and debris. You should always change a filter when it can no longer capture contaminants from the air. You can tell it’s time to change a filter when it simply looks clogged and dirty.

After you’ve checked the filter once in the fall, you may need to inspect it again when spring arrives and it’s time to turn on the air conditioning. If you have pets in your home, it’s best to check the filters every month.

4. Inspect the Vents

In the spring, nests, rodents and debris can block a high-efficiency furnace’s exhaust vents and intake vents. If you own this type of furnace, check these areas in the fall and ensure that every vent has proper airflow.

You’ll need a professional to complete most of the steps in this guide. To get help, call Sun City Plumbing and Heating, and schedule an appointment for fall heating maintenance. We check coils, burners, valves, exhaust vents and fuel lines, and web service components and run diagnostic tests as well.

Image provided by iStock