After a long, humid summer, your HVAC system has earned some attention. When the first cold snap hits in Columbus, everyone reaches for the thermostat the same night, and “no heat” calls spike. A little prep now can spare you a cold night and a repair bill.
Your Fall Checklist
- Change your air filter. A clogged filter is the top cause of poor heating and high bills. Replace it every one to three months.
- Test your heat early. On a mild day, switch to heat and raise the thermostat a few degrees. A brief dusty smell is normal; no warm air is not.
- Update your thermostat. Replace the batteries and set a schedule. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests about 68°F while you’re home and awake.
- Clear the outdoor unit. Rake away leaves and pine straw, and keep about two feet of open space around it.
- Open every vent. Move rugs and furniture off supply and return vents.
- Test carbon monoxide detectors. Every home with gas heat needs working detectors near sleeping areas.
Schedule a Professional Tune-Up
A yearly tune-up catches small problems before they become breakdowns and helps your system last longer. A technician will clean and inspect burners and igniters, check the heat exchanger for cracks that can leak carbon monoxide, test heat pump defrost and refrigerant levels, and tighten electrical connections.
Warning Signs
Call a professional if you notice cool air from the vents, banging or squealing noises, short on-off cycling, uneven room temperatures, or a sudden jump in your energy bill. If you smell gas or your CO detector sounds, leave the house and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
Stay Warm, Columbus
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Columbus proudly serves Columbus, Midland, Fortson, and the surrounding area.
To schedule your fall tune-up, call (706) 522-2224 or visit www.onehourheatandair.com/columbus-ga. We’re always on time, or you don’t pay a dime.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements, and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media LLC (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses, or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability, or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.
