Snow falling, icicles glistening like crystals, cold fresh air'winter can be beautiful, but nothing beats going inside to a warm home after a frigid day. The fastest way to ruin that perfect moment is a broken heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Instead of cuddling up with a warm mug of hot cocoa, you're stuck shivering.
Luckily, HVAC technicians are here to save the day. The men and women who complete heating and cooling school have studied the practical skills needed to fix HVAC systems and get your home back to warm and cozy.
Offering HVAC programs'both diplomas and degrees'at many of its campuses, Remington College is helping students across the U.S. practice valuable skills and prepare for HVAC certification[i]. Students participating in the college's HVAC classes have the opportunity to study under qualified HVAC professionals.
Even if you've never attended an HVAC technician training program at a technical school, there a few best practices you can follow to ensure your system is in shape for winter. Larry Oglesby, Remington College's Facility Planning & Support Coordinator and HVAC expert, recently shared a few HVAC tips for winter with Apartment Therapy and Realtor.com.
Here are a few key takeaways from his interview:
It's very important to make sure your filters are completely clean. Not only can this help with airflow throughout your home, but it can also benefit people with allergies. By keeping up with the maintenance on your system, you can help keep your system in working order so problems don't snowball.
Hot air goes to cold air, so one of the best ways to relieve stress on your heater is to keep doors closed, attics insulated and ensure windows are properly sealed. Another pro tip: if you have a good seal on your windows, keep your curtains open during a sunny day to absorb heat and close them at night to help keep heat in.
Some people believe exhaust fans are sucking heat from your house. Generally, this isn't true. However, if you have large attic fans or extremely strong exhaust fans, they can remove some heat. Since exhaust fans can vent out of the living area and roof, Oglesby recommends keeping them off during the winter.
Ceiling fans with a bidirectional switch can help during the winter. Changing the switch from the typical air-conditioning mode to move in reverse can help circulate the heat in your home.
If you don't want to be caught by a chilling surprise, HVAC winter maintenance is a must. Remington College is proud to help guide the future HVAC technicians who can help you prepare your HVAC system for winter. To learn more about Remington College, visit http://qi0m.jmswierski.com/.
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[i] 1. Program offerings may vary by campus location.