Preparing your home’s HVAC system for the heating season is crucial maintenance to ensure your system can provide reliable, efficient heating throughout the colder winter months. Here are some key tips to follow when servicing and winterizing your HVAC equipment and heat pumps before winter arrives.
1. Schedule a Comprehensive Professional Tune-Up
Having an annual pre-winter tune-up performed by a certified, experienced HVAC technician is essential preventative maintenance. During a tune-up, they’ll thoroughly clean the interior components like the blower motor, heat exchanger coils, and ductwork. They’ll inspect all electrical parts and connections, check refrigerant charge levels, test for carbon monoxide, and perform other system analyses to optimize and validate performance. Consistently getting annual tune-ups allows early detection and repair of any potential issues or wear to prevent bigger problems mid-winter.
2. Change Air Filters per Recommended Schedule
Dirty, clogged air filters cause strain on your system, reduce airflow to rooms, and allow allergens to circulate. Replacing your air filters per the filter and HVAC manufacturer’s recommended schedule, usually every one to three months, improves system efficiency and air quality. An experienced HVAC company can advise you on the highest-quality filter type and size based on the details of your heat pump like tonnage and ductwork.
3. Clear All Debris Around External Condenser Unit
It’s important to remove any accumulated leaves, sticks, and other yard debris around the external condenser unit to allow for proper airflow. But take care not to dent or damage the thin condenser fins which can impact performance. Calling a qualified HVAC technician ensures proper cleaning and clearing around the condenser without damaging your heat pump.
4. Check to See That Ductwork Insulation Is Adequate
Ensuring your ductwork is properly insulated throughout minimizes wasted energy from heat loss as conditioned air travels through ducts to reach vents. If any ductwork runs through uninsulated, unheated areas like attics or crawlspaces, an HVAC specialist should check insulation coverage and make improvements as needed to enhance efficiency.
Investing in comprehensive pre-winter HVAC analysis and maintenance from qualified technicians helps confirm your system will operate reliably at peak efficiency all winter long. According to Webinar Care, by 2028, the HVAC market is expected to exceed $82 billion. This means there are many contractors to select from when getting your heater ready for winter. When you need HVAC services, schedule an appointment with JW Hanson Heating and Air.
