A year of heating and cooling care
Burlington's systems work hard at both ends of the year. NOAA's engineering weather station at Greensboro/Piedmont Triad, the closest one to Burlington, puts the summer design temperature at 90°F and the winter design temperature at 19°F. A little attention each season keeps a system ready for both and catches small problems before they become no-heat or no-cool calls.
Spring: March to May
Get the cooling side ready before the first hot week.
- Replace or clean the air filter, and set a reminder for the next change.
- Clear leaves, grass clippings and pollen from around the outdoor unit; keep shrubs at least two feet away.
- Turn on cooling on a mild day to make sure it starts and the air from the vents feels cool.
- Check that the condensate drain line runs freely, and look for water around the indoor unit.
- Book a cooling tune-up if the system hasn't had one in a year.
Summer: June to August
The Greensboro/Piedmont Triad station counts about 573 hours a year with the wet-bulb temperature above 73°F, and about 2,057 hours above 67°F. On those days, moisture is as much of a comfort problem as heat.
- If rooms feel clammy even when the thermostat is satisfied, ask a technician about fan speed settings and whether the system is oversized and short-cycling.
- Keep supply and return vents open and unblocked.
- Hose off the outdoor coil gently if it's dirty, with the power off.
- Watch for ice on the refrigerant lines or the indoor coil, which means the system needs service.
- After a thunderstorm with lightning, check that the system restarts normally.
Fall: September to November
Switch your attention to heat before the first cold night.
- Change the filter again.
- Run the heat for a few minutes on a cool day. A dusty smell at first is normal; a burning or electrical smell isn't.
- For gas furnaces, book a heating check that includes the burners, the flame sensor, the heat exchanger and a carbon monoxide test.
- Test carbon monoxide alarms and replace their batteries.
- For heat pumps, make sure the outdoor unit sits level and clear of leaves.
Winter: December to February
The Greensboro/Piedmont Triad station averages about 56 freeze-thaw cycles a year, so cold snaps come and go.
- A heat pump's outdoor unit will frost up and run a defrost cycle; steam from the unit during defrost is normal. A unit encased in ice isn't.
- Keep snow and ice clear of the outdoor unit and any furnace intake and exhaust pipes on the side of the house.
- If the backup heat runs constantly, ask a technician to check the heat pump.
- Keep the thermostat steady on the coldest nights rather than making big setbacks that force backup heat on.
When it's time to replace
North Carolina is in the Department of Energy's hot-humid Southeast region. Split-system central air conditioners installed on or after January 1, 2023 must be rated at least 14.3 SEER2, and split-system heat pumps must meet 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2. If a repair estimate is large and the system is old, ask for a replacement quote with a load calculation and a duct check, and compare the operating cost of each option.
Keep a record
Write down filter changes, service visits, repairs and the model and serial numbers of the indoor and outdoor units. A record makes warranty claims easier and helps the next technician understand the system's history.