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Your Guide to Heating Maintenance for a Warm and Cozy New Year

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January 20, 2025

Your Guide to Heating Maintenance for a Warm and Cozy New Year

As the temperatures continue to drop and winter’s chilly grasp is firmly in place, there are days when it seems that nothing is better than the comfort of a warm and cozy home. To get you through the colder months, you’ll need to keep your heating system in tip-top shape, but it requires proper care to perform. With the New Year here, it’s the perfect time to give your heating system some extra attention.

Comfort Hounds Heating & Cooling, the leading provider of heating services in Raleigh, NC, recommends following this guide to ensure your home stays warm and energy-efficient all season long.

Change Your Air Filters

A clean air filter is the cornerstone of an efficient heating system. Over time, however, filters collect dust, dirt, and debris, restricting airflow and forcing your system to work harder. As part of your heating maintenance routine, check your filters monthly and replace them as needed—typically every 1-3 months. This simple task not only helps improve indoor air quality but also extends the life of your heating system.

Inspect Your Thermostat

Your thermostat is one of the most important components of your heating system. Heating repair experts recommend starting the New Year by checking its settings and ensuring it operates correctly. If you’re still using a manual thermostat, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart model. These modern options allow you to create heating schedules, saving energy and lowering utility bills.

Clean Vents and Registers

Blocked or dirty vents and registers can hinder the efficiency of your heating system. Make it a point to vacuum them regularly to remove dust and debris, and ensure they are not obstructed by furniture or curtains. Proper airflow is vital for even heating throughout your home.

Schedule a Professional Inspection

While DIY tasks can sometimes help for minor heating issues, nothing replaces a professional inspection. A licensed heating installation and repair technician can easily spot issues that may not be readily apparent, such as worn-out parts or minor leaks. Regular maintenance checks can catch small problems before they turn into costly repairs.

Seal Gaps and Insulate

Even the most efficient heating system won’t be able to keep your home warm if there isn’t proper insulation. Check for gaps around windows, doors, and other openings where warm air might escape. Use weather stripping or caulk to seal leaks, and ensure your attic and walls are well insulated to retain heat.

Listen for Unusual Noises

Pay attention to the sounds your heating system makes. Unusual noises like banging, rattling, or squealing often signal mechanical issues. Addressing these sounds promptly can prevent further damage that can eventually lead to costly repairs and even full heating replacement procedures—they can also ensure your system runs smoothly.

Stay Warm with Comfort Hounds Heating & Cooling

This New Year, make heating maintenance a priority to enjoy a warm, cozy, and stress-free winter. By following these tips, you can extend the life of your heating system, improve its efficiency, and keep your energy bills in check.

If you need expert help from a heating company that your neighbors trust, Comfort Hounds Heating & Cooling is here for you. From professional maintenance to repairs and upgrades, you can count on us to ensure your heating system is ready to face the cold. Don’t let winter catch you off guard—contact us today to schedule your heating service and start the year off right!

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Dee M profile picture
Dee M
3 years ago
We had a small emergency, the AC stopped working right before we were to have a party. They showed up, took care of the issue, then we're gone before guests arrived. Super helpful and I'm so grateful they were able to come at 5:15 at night!! -Oct 2020

Update 6/2023 came back from traveling and called comfort hounds late night after we had a big ordeal up in the attic and 78° + climbing. Rob got us on the schedule ASAP. The very next morning the tech was out. We had him check everything, needed to replace a few things and everything was working well. After talking with Rob, we realized we needed to insulate the new part and they came right back out to do that. Fast forward, we had suspicion that the damper actuator was going bad or finally died, even though it was working fine during our system check and right after we spent hours the first night troubleshooting- naturally! Usually we reset it and it kicks on. For sure this time, it was not working, BUT within minutes Rob was here. He got it changed out and we have crisp AC on the second floor and no issues with it shutting off. I'm thankful for Comfort Hounds' responsiveness and kindness, knowledge and dedication to making everything right. They have always taken care of me and I hope to continue doing business for years to come. Thanks guys for getting us up and running. See you in the fall for our winter check!
Miss Vee profile picture
Miss Vee
3 years ago
I am so happy and please with the the quality of work and the great customer service from the repairmen, office staff and especially the owner!
Jacob Lavender profile picture
Jacob Lavender
4 years ago
As a new homeowner, my HVAC system needed help. The AC, duct-work, and furnace were all breaking down. Rob and his team at Comfort Hounds came out and fixed everything.

- The AC works better and doesn't have to run as often.
- The ducts now have dampers so the heat and air spread more evenly throughout the house.
- The furnace heats our house faster and easier than before.
- There are no more big swings in temperature.

I could go on, but the point is that our HVAC system is now running properly thanks to Comfort Hounds.

Next is the price, HVAC repair is always expensive, but Comfort Hounds has the most competitive pricing out of the 4 other HVAC companies I've used in the past.

Lastly, Rob and his team were patient with us. They stayed well past the allotted time to fix our HVAC system. They spent time with us explaining how we could keep our system running well and how to save money on our electricity bill. They never rushed us despite having other appointments to make.

I will continue using Rob and his team for their skills, price, and patience. I highly recommend them.
Lisa profile picture
Lisa
4 years ago
Great company-friendly-professional-timely. They have been maintaining my hvac for two years. Quick to return calls/texts and provide service. Old system finally needed replacement and they were able to do so quickly and provide financing that met my budget requirements.
Brad Violand profile picture
Brad Violand
4 years ago
Very impressed with Rob’s knowledge and professionalism. He is also very upfront and honest - and fixed what turned out to be a very small issue with my system instead of trying to sell me on a new one. Will be calling him for any future needs!
Katrina Showman profile picture
Katrina Showman
4 years ago
Quick call back, same day service for my broken AC. Rob broke down pros and cons of repair vs replacing for my unit and went the extra mile to be sure I had the right system size and HVAC coil to match my heat pump and my sq footage for my house. He also did some maintenance and extra work on issues when installing the new system to be sure it could work at full capacity.
Great communication and didn't treat me different being a female. I'll definitely be returning!
Victoria Steed profile picture
Victoria Steed
4 years ago
I had an excellent experience with comfort hounds. My AC had gone out and was getting uncomfortably hot in the house. I have called several different companies and nobody had an appointments for days. Then I noticed comfort hounds said they were open after hours and within 20 minutes of my call they were here working on my air conditioning and had it repaired and working at 7:00 in the evening. I was really impressed with their quick and courteous service. I went ahead and signed up for the twice a year maintenance check so that I don't end up in an emergency situation again.
Tx Taquito profile picture
Tx Taquito
4 years ago
Rob and the guys were very responsive when others put me off for 1.5weeks. They came out and gave me honest, up front opinion. They weren't trying to pitch a new system on me just for the sake of sales. They told me what was wrong, estimated cost of repair into a dying system. It was just time and I finally decided to buy. The process was simple and fast. System ordered and installed when promised. Installation was faster than anticipated. New system far exceeds performance of older system. Highly recommend these folks - they won't jerk your chain.
Jay Chaney profile picture
Jay Chaney
4 years ago
Really happy I went with these guys. My HVAC went out and they were able to come diagnose the problem very quickly. While they had the parts on the truck and could do the repair same day I opted to replace my system. Rob was very knowledgeable of his products and what would work best for my home and able to give me a quote within 24 hours. Rob called to check on us after a particularly cold Sunday night to see if we needed space heaters or anything, super thoughtful. The new system 100% solves the problems I had with the old system - my upstairs is finally warm.

Definitely would recommend to a friend.
Julie Petlick profile picture
Julie Petlick
5 years ago
Rob is fantastic. He is always responsive and genuinely tries to help you with your issue as quickly as possible. He also does a great job of explaining what the issue is and what needs to be done to fix it. He’s always willing to talk through options and help you make the best decision. We’ve trusted Rob for over 3 years with all our HVAC needs and I can highly recommend him.

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Comfort Hounds is your faithful companion for a comfortable and healthy home. With our team of highly trained and certified service technicians, we deliver a full menu of heating, AC and indoor air quality services that you need to fully enjoy your indoor space. Our customers rely on us for being an honest and fair heating and air conditioning service provider who stands behind our work 100%, making us the loyal friend you can trust to get the job done right.

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