Prepare Your Home for Winter with These Daylight Saving Time Tips

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// Posted by Crossville Heating and Cooling, Inc.

As Daylight Saving Time ends, it’s time to reset our clocks, and with shorter days on the horizon, this is the perfect opportunity to prepare your home for the colder season ahead. From heating maintenance to safety checks, these tips will help keep your home comfortable and energy-efficient through the winter months.

Key Takeaways

  • Heating System Check: Fall is the perfect time for furnace maintenance.
  • Energy Efficiency: Adjusting thermostats and replacing filters can lower energy bills.
  • Safety Measures: Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as you reset your clocks.
  • Plumbing Precautions: Insulate pipes to prevent freezing.

Top Tips for Daylight Saving Time

1. Furnace Maintenance

A well-maintained furnace keeps your home warm and efficient. Schedule an inspection with Crossville Heating and Cooling—the fastest in town since 1982—to ensure everything’s running smoothly, and replace your furnace filters to improve airflow and air quality.

2. Thermostat Adjustment

Reprogramming your thermostat for colder months can make a big difference in energy use. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, update the settings to heat your home efficiently while you’re there and lower it when you’re away.

  • Suggested Setting: 68°F during the day and 60°F at night for optimal efficiency

3. Water Heater Preparation

With colder weather, your water heater will work harder. Now’s a good time to:

  • Check the Temperature: 120°F is the recommended setting for efficiency.
  • Flush the Tank: Mineral buildup can reduce efficiency, so an annual flush helps extend its life.

4. Pipe Insulation

Cold weather can lead to frozen pipes, which are costly to repair. Insulating exposed pipes is an easy way to protect your home. Focus on pipes in areas like basements and crawl spaces to reduce the chance of freezing.

  • Pro Tip: Foam or rubber pipe sleeves are an easy, affordable solution.

5. Generator Testing

If you rely on a generator during power outages, a quick test run will ensure it’s ready for winter storms. Check fuel levels, and if your generator uses batteries, inspect or replace them as needed.

6. Safety Checks for Detectors

With heating systems running more often, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries if needed, and test each device to make sure they’re functioning properly.

Additional Tips for Daylight Saving Preparation

  • Safety First: With heating systems running, ensure vents and exhausts are clear of obstructions.
  • Draft Proofing: Seal windows and doors to keep warm air in and cold air out.
  • Lighting: As it gets darker earlier, consider using energy-efficient bulbs to keep your home well-lit.

When to Call a Professional

Preparing for winter involves a few specialized tasks best handled by experts:

  • Heating Maintenance: A professional tune-up is key to ensuring your system runs smoothly.
  • Pipe Insulation: For harder-to-reach or more complex insulation needs, calling a plumber is a good idea.
  • Generator Service: Regular generator maintenance ensures it’s ready for winter power outages.

Conclusion

Adjusting for Daylight Saving Time isn’t just about the clocks; it’s about preparing your home for a safe, efficient winter. Following these steps can save energy, protect your home, and keep your family cozy throughout the colder months. For help with your heating, plumbing, or generator needs, reach out to Crossville Heating and Cooling—the fastest in town since 1982!

Happy Daylight Saving Time!

HVAC Technician installing a electric heat pump
About Crossville Heating and Cooling, Inc.
Locally owned and operated since 1982, Crossville Heating & Cooling, Inc. serves Middle and East Tennessee with heating, air, plumbing, and generator services. We provide fast, eco-friendly solutions for homes and light businesses — your trusted comfort partner for over 40 years.
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FAQ

How often should you schedule an HVAC maintenance?

Homeowners should set up HVAC maintenance twice a year. It's best to do this in the spring and fall. This keeps the system running well and saves energy.

What is HVAC maintenance?

HVAC maintenance is a service that keeps your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in top shape. It includes checking and maintaining all parts of the HVAC system. This keeps your system efficient.

What are the components involved in HVAC maintenance?

During maintenance, technicians check and service key parts like air filters, coils, refrigerant levels, and electrical connections. This ensures everything works right.

What factors determine the frequency of HVAC maintenance?

How often you need HVAC maintenance depends on the system's age and the local climate. Newer systems usually need maintenance once a year. Older systems might need it more often.

When is the ideal time to schedule HVAC maintenance?

Schedule HVAC maintenance before you really need it, which is usually in spring and fall. This helps the system work better when you need it most.

What are the benefits of regular HVAC maintenance?

Regular maintenance makes your HVAC system more reliable. It helps spot problems early and works more efficiently. This can save you money on energy bills.

How can homeowners prepare for professional HVAC maintenance visits?

Clean around the outdoor unit and check the coils and cabinet for damage before the technician comes. Also, inspect the ductwork for leaks.

How can homeowners find a reliable HVAC maintenance provider?

Choose HVAC companies with certified technicians, like those with NATE certification. They should also have a good history of quality service and happy customers.

HVAC Technician installing a electric heat pump
About Crossville Heating and Cooling, Inc.
Crossville Heating and Cooling, Inc. is a locally owned heating and air conditioning company that provides sales, service, and installation of any type of heating or cooling in your home or light commercial building.

Although the name Crossville Heating and Cooling, Inc. is new, Mr. Richard Gilmer has been in the business of keeping his neighbors comfortable since 1998. As our presence in the HVAC contractors industry has evolved, we decided to change the name of our business to better reflect our commitment to the Middle TN area.

Our core values include implementing economically friendly products and practices to better contribute to the health and home of our customers. We are EPA certified and ensure that all refrigerant is recycled and all equipment is disposed of as per environmentally-safe standards. Our service techs and installers are trained to conduct business with minimal disruption to your daily lifestyle so that the only impact we make is a positive one

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