Tips for Preparing Your HVAC for Winter

Whether you experience mild or harsh winter temperatures, be sure to take the time to prepare your HVAC system. By following the proper measures of winter HVAC prep, you keep your home warm and cozy with reliable heating equipment all day and night. You don’t want to end up with a damaged furnace or heating system in the middle of the cold season, after all.

In this post, Stone Heating and Air shares efficient tips and tricks to ensure your HVAC is equipped for optimal performance.

Conduct a Visual HVAC Inspection

To start, you should conduct a visual inspection for your furnace before and during the heating season. This way, it’s in tip-top condition to tackle the winter temperatures. You should also remove anything that is around the furnace. Remember, there should be a minimum 3-foot clearance around the entire unit. Anything draped over or lying around the furnace can reduce airflow through the unit and increase the likelihood of malfunction. Meanwhile, if your furnace is in the attic, it’s best to have a professional check it out.

Turn Your Furnace on at Least Three Times

While it’s still mildly cold outside, experts recommend turning your furnace on at least three times. Doing so ensures your unit is still in working condition. If you turn it on the first cold day and find out that it’s not functioning, you might end up in a tight spot. During the off-season, your heating system may also have developed a lot of issues. Squirrels and critters may get stuck inside the flue and ventilation systems, for example. For this reason, you should check whether your furnace is still working early in the season.

Consider a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat is a great investment. It can help increase indoor comfort and reduce your energy expenses. To make the most out of it, you can program your thermostat to turn on about 30 minutes before you wake up to ensure your room is warm when you get out of bed. At the same time, you can also program it to turn off when you leave the house and turn it on again 30 minutes before you arrive. If you like it cool in the evening, you can shut it off at night.

Winterize and Cover Your Outdoor AC Unit

Do you live in an area with extreme winter conditions? Don’t forget to winterize and cover your outdoor AC unit before it starts snowing. As early as fall, it’s a good idea to remove all branches, leaves, and other debris from your outdoor unit. To get rid of dust and debris, you can use a garden hose. Cover the unit with a waterproof cover to prevent moisture buildup and clear off snow and ice. Even if you live in an area with mild winter, you should consider adding a protective top to keep leaves and debris out of the unit.

To help you prepare your HVAC system for winter, get in touch with Stone Heating and Air! Our team of experts is highly experienced and qualified in HVAC maintenance, so you can rest easy knowing your system is protected. To request an estimate, call us at (541) 855-5521, or fill out our online contact form.