It’s that time in Florida when we get a cold front that the temperature drops low enough that we Floridians need the heat turned on. Because we don’t use our heaters but once a year in Florida when you turn on your heater for the first time, it is not uncommon to smell burning dust. As dust can settle on the heating components during the warm months of the year, it is inevitably going to burn off when the unit heats up. You can open a window or two to get rid of the odor. If the smell persists for more than a few hours, consider changing the filters and cleaning the ducts. If an actual fire or smoke is coming from the system, turn it off right away. Extinguish the flames or get out of the house. Call 911 or the applicable emergency number in your area.

Testing Your HVAC System 

Since your heating system hasn’t been on for months, it’s important to test it before using it regularly. Turn your heating system on for about an hour just to test it and make sure it’s working right. This also helps you check to see if your thermostat is functioning properly. Your heat should come on without any problems and blow heated air out of your vents. Keep in mind that you’ll need to have your heating system checked if it’s blowing cool air from your vents, not coming on at all, or turning on and off frequently.

Set Up HVAC Maintenance 

HVAC maintenance is among the most effective ways to make sure your heating system is all set for winter. Having professional maintenance done can also help identify any issues your a/c might have after running for several months. You can have these issues handled now so that you won’t need to have repairs done next spring when you turn your a/c on again. During a routine HVAC maintenance visit, technicians can do a thorough inspection of your heating and cooling equipment. In addition to looking for possible problems with your HVAC system, technicians can clean equipment, adjust or tighten components as needed, and do other tasks to ensure that it’s in good condition and able to work properly.

If you need to schedule HVAC maintenance this fall or winter, contact Premier Mechanical Services today. We provide high-quality HVAC maintenance and services in the South Florida area.