Winter HVAC Checklist: Making Sure Your HVAC System Is Ready for the Cold
Winter is approaching quickly, and that means your HVAC system needs to be in check. Heating your home efficiently is one of the most important aspects of keeping your bills low and comfort levels high.
Now is the perfect time to give your HVAC system some TLC to make sure it works well for the entire season.
Check Your Air Filters
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve your HVAC system and get it ready for the cold winter months is to check and change your air filters. HVAC air filters keep the air in your home free of allergens and air pollution, which is excellent for those with seasonal allergies and asthma.
When your air filter gets too dirty, not only is the air dirty that flows into your home, but it also makes it harder for your HVAC system to do its job. A filter that’s not working properly can raise your electricity bills, keep your home from heating adequately, and cause your unit to work harder, which can lead to shortening its lifespan.
Fall is a great time to swap to a new air filter so your HVAC system works as efficiently as possible and prevents breakdowns. Make sure to check your air filter about every 30 days. Although some experts say you need to change your filter at this time, if it doesn’t look too bogged down with dirt and debris, you can keep it in a bit longer. Just make sure to check on it and replace it at least after three months, as the exact time you need to change it varies by which brand of filter you purchased, the size of your HVAC unit, and your home’s surroundings.
Inspect Your Alarms & Detectors
Your fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide alarms and detectors are essential to keep you safe, especially during the cooler months when more people use their ovens, fireplaces, candles, personal heaters, and more. The U.S Fire Administration recommends that you replace these devices every ten years, and you should check them frequently to make sure they’re still working.
To do this, press the “test” button that every carbon monoxide and smoke detector has. This way, you’ll know if you need to replace the battery or just get an entirely new system.
Clean Up Your Outdoor Space
The beginning of colder months means more leaves changing color and falling to the ground, and while that can be beautiful, it also means your HVAC system is more at risk of clogs. Debris and dirt build-up can keep your HVAC system from working properly and even cause more serious damage that requires repairs.
Give your outdoor space an initial once-over to see what’s around your HVAC unit. Are there trees or bushes that are a bit too close? Cut them back to make sure branches or leaves don’t fall into the system. Sweep the area around your unit to make sure rocks, leaves, and other debris don’t get blown into the system as well. You can also switch off the unit itself and rinse out any debris that’s accumulated inside.
Additionally, just make sure nothing is too close to your HVAC unit to prevent any blockages in general.
Clean Your Ducts and Vents
Getting your air vents and ducts ready for winter is another excellent option to ensure the air in your house is circulated and filtered correctly all season long.
Regularly clean and open the registers of your ducts and vents to make sure they’re not obstructed. An obstructed vent can make your HVAC system work harder, which means your home won’t get as warm, and your HVAC’s lifespan decreases faster.
Double-check if there are any home furnishings like furniture or curtains that could be covering an air vent. To give your air ducts a complete cleaning, you should call a professional, but you can do a small clean-up of the outside of the vent using a wet cloth. Just wipe off the dirt you see, if any, on the outside of the vent—you don’t want that dirt blowing into your home.
Detect & Seal Any Air Leaks
Leaks are one of the most common reasons your HVAC is not working to its full potential. In fact, an average leak can be attributed to one of the most significant energy losses in your home, especially during cold weather.
Check your doors and window frames for any signs of a leak by holding up a paper to see if it moves, hence air leaking through. If you do find a leak, replace the caulking or weather stripping, which can be a cheap and easy fix for any small leaks.
However, if you don’t find any small leaks in your doors or window frames but your rooms are not heating the way you think they should be, the issue may be with your air ducts. If this is the case, it’s best to call a professional to help minimize the leaks in your home.
Inspect Your Furnace
In the cooler months, your HVAC system will see daily use. And if you haven’t used it in months, ensure your HVAC system isn’t going to break down during the coldest time of the year. Before you use your heater for the first time this year, there are a few things you should do first.
Start off slow; your system hasn’t seen any use in a long time, and you don’t want to shock its system by immediately running it at full capacity, night and day immediately. Turn it on at a lower temperature to give it a “test drive” at first to test the waters a bit. Check for any weird noises or smells.
Additionally, before you turn the heater on, give it a quick clean-up. Clean off any dust and debris that may have accumulated over the last few months. If there is anything obstructing the heater, remove it so your HVAC system isn’t working too hard. Also, make sure you test your burners to make sure they’re working correctly. If you sense any problems, give your local HVAC experts a call.
Consider an Upgrade
Another great way to prepare for the unexpected fall temperatures is to consider an upgrade to your system. With so many smart technologies on the market today, there are ones that can not only keep you warm the entire season but can even save you money on costly electricity bills.
There are many options to choose from, and many are Wi-Fi compatible. You can program it to be set to a specific temperature at certain times of day and can even change the settings while you’re away from home from your smartphone! Other models adapt to the temperature outside so that way you won’t ever wake up to an unexpectedly freezing home.
Schedule a Tune-Up or Maintenance
To best ensure that your HVAC system will work well all winter long without any breakdowns or problems, you should schedule a tune-up with a certified HVAC professional. It’s recommended that you have your system inspected at least two times a year (in the Fall and Spring) to ensure you won’t encounter any issues.
A professional can detect if there is anything that needs to be repaired or replaced and will catch any issues before they occur, so you and your family can remain safe and warm all season long.
