5 Steps to Prepare Your HVAC System for Winter

PLEASANTON — Following the heat of summer and the mildness of fall, the cold winter weather brings an entirely different set of heating and ventilation needs for the home. To ensure your HVAC system is equipped for optimal performance, consider these five preparatory steps:

1. Change your air filter. Your HVAC unit has probably been running all summer and operating pretty intensely to combat the heat. So, prior to winter, it’s a good idea to check and see if your filter needs to be changed. A dirty filter not only makes an HVAC unit operate with less efficiency, it’s also a leading cause of premature system failure.

2. Test your system early. When you turn on your furnace for the first time during winter, the last thing you want is to find out it doesn’t work. Despite being inactive all summer, it’s not unusual for a furnace to develop problems during this time. For example, a rodent may have infiltrated the flue pipe and caused damage. For this reason, it’s wise to turn on your furnace at least three times while the weather is still mild. That way, if there’s something wrong, you’ll find out early.

3. Perform a visual inspection. Provided your HVAC unit is easily accessible, take a look and make sure everything is clean and clear. If you see anything right next to or draped over the unit, remove it. An HVAC unit needs to breathe, so it’s not good to have a lot of stuff packed around or on top of it.

4. Test your thermostat. In addition to testing your system, make sure your thermostat is working properly. If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, consider upgrading. A programmable thermostat lets you set your desired temperature ahead of time, so when you get out of bed or arrive home from work, your house is already warmed up. This is just one of the many features a programmable thermostat offers, so consider investing in improved functionality.

5. Schedule an annual maintenance appointment. Your HVAC system should be inspected and serviced annually by a professional. Besides having an active flame inside of it, a furnace emits carbon monoxide and is powered by natural gas. The presence of these elements can potentially pose a dangerous situation if your system isn’t maintained or has an unidentified operational issue. Annual inspection and service will keep your system operating safely and efficiently.