Preparing Your Home and Furnace For the Winter

Temperatures in Kansas City dropped thirty degrees overnight, letting us know that winter is right around the corner. Before winter rolls in completely, follow these five steps to prepare your home for the incoming cold:

1. Patch and caulk drafty windows and doors Your heating and cooling systems will work best when the home is properly insulated and maintained. Add new caulk to the exterior areas of your windows, and any other areas that may need new caulk. Add curtains that can be closed shut on cold days to further avoid a draft.
2. Get your HVAC system checked and serviced by A.B. May Maintenance appointments improve the performance, efficiency, and longevity of your furnace. All major mechanical systems need regular tune-ups to run effectively. Just like your car needs regular oil changes, your furnace runs its best with maintenance twice a year.A.B. May’s technicians are well-trained, thorough, and professional. They answer any questions you have and help you understand how well your system is operating. After maintenance, your furnace will be better equipped for the bitter cold that Kansas City winters can bring.
3. Replace Air Filters To keep the air in your home at its cleanest, replace air filters often. All furnaces come with a standard air filter to keep particles from damaging the system. These filters are usually 1/2 to 1 inch thick, and replacing them regularly keeps your system running smoothly. Regular filter changes also bring health benefits by keeping dirt and debris out of the air in your home.
4. Install a Nest thermostat for information at your fingertips Not only do Nest thermostats automatically adjust when you're away to save energy, they are easily controlled through an app on your smart phone. You can adjust the temperature in your home from anywhere, and keep an eye on your habits and energy savings.