7 Winter HVAC Maintenance Tips

Ready to prep your home for the winter months? Don’t forget to check on your HVAC system to ensure it’s prepared to handle the colder temperatures. These seven winter HVAC maintenance tips can keep the system operating smoothly all year.

You can reach out to our team at Ambient Edge for more information about caring for your HVAC system in Arizona and Nevada. We’re ready to answer your questions if you call us or complete our online contact form.

#1: Unblock All Registers and Vents

Your HVAC system likely uses registers and vents to deliver air throughout your home. Make sure these vents are clean and unobstructed before winter to ensure even air movement through your property.

Furniture and rugs frequently cover or block these vents, preventing air from circulating correctly and making it harder for your HVAC unit to warm your home. Fortunately, a quick assessment of your home can receive this issue.

#2: Replace Your Air Filter

The air filter in your HVAC system removes contaminants from the system. It can pick up dust, pollen, pet dander, and even mold spores. However, over time these contaminants end up clogging the filter and limiting airflow through the heating system.

Clogged filters increase the strain on your heating system and can raise your energy costs while wearing out the heater. Therefore, changing the filter regularly represents an essential part of winter HVAC maintenance.

Generally, you want to change the filter every month through the winter. However, some homeowners even change their filters more frequently.

#3: Ensure Your Thermostat Works Properly

The start of winter represents a good time to check your thermostat. Makes sure it responds to input, changing the temperature based on your instructions. You may want to replace the batteries if they’re low before winter starts.

The professionals also recommend deciding on a temperature for the winter months. You can keep your HVAC system working efficiently by keeping the temperature around 70 degrees. In addition, dropping the temperature to about 60 degrees at night can help you further save money.

You can easily use a programmable thermostat to automatically change the temperature in your home throughout the day.

#4: Check for Drafts

Drafty windows and doors allow warm air to escape your home while letting the outside chill inside. Therefore, we recommend you check and seal any drafty spots around your house in preparation for the winter.

Taking care of drafts can help prevent over-straining your HVAC system, increasing the system’s life and cutting down your energy expenses.

#5: Schedule a Professional Maintenance Appointment

You can complete some winter HVAC maintenance on your own. However, sometimes, it pays to turn to a professional for help caring for your heating system. Licensed, bonded, and insured crews can:

• Inspect all moving parts of your HVAC system
• Check and replace your filters as necessary
• Inspect electrical switches, motors, safety switches, and belts
• Check your levels of refrigerant
• Clean the system thoroughly
• Tune up all mechanical parts of the heating unit
• Replace any worn-out components
• Inform you of any potential problems with the system

Regular HVAC maintenance can extend the life of your heating unit and help you avoid costly breakdowns, as cold temperatures put more strain on the system.

Generally, the professionals recommend scheduling maintenance appointments in the fall. However, our NATE-certified HVAC technicians can arrange a maintenance visit at the time that works best for your winter preparation.

#6: Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned

You can make getting your HVAC ducts cleaned part of your HVAC winter maintenance habits. Cleaning vents regularly can remove the buildup of contaminants, including:

• Dust
• Dirt
• Pet danger
• Mold
• Bacteria
• Pollen

Professional air duct cleaning makes it easier for your HVAC system to work efficiently and helps boost your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) throughout the winter.

The professionals can also check your ductwork for leaks that allow heated air to escape your HVAC system. Contractors can fix these leaks, helping you reduce your heating costs through the winter.

#7: Take Steps to Prevent a Fire

No list of winter HVAC maintenance tips would be complete without mentioning the importance of fire prevention. Over 48,000 home fires start each year as a result of issues with heating equipment.

You can focus on keeping your home safe by:

• Moving combustible items away from any heat source
• Turning off your heater if you notice strange odors
• Contacting an HVAC professional if your system starts making strange noises
• Making sure your smoke detectors all have fresh batteries

If you have other questions about fire prevention, you can reach out to an HVAC expert for assistance.

What Are the Benefits of Winter HVAC Maintenance?

Now that we’ve discussed winter HVAC maintenance tips, we can discuss the importance of this process. Regular HVAC maintenance helps increase the lifespan of your system while keeping it working more efficiently.

Efficient HVAC units draw on less energy when running, meaning they leave you with lower monthly energy bills.

You can schedule your HVAC maintenance at any time of year, including winter. Because HVAC units both heat and cool homes, consider a spring maintenance appointment to get your system ready for the summer.

Contact Us for Help with HVAC Winter Maintenance Today

You’ve explored seven winter HVAC maintenance tips. We can review more advice for keeping your system in good condition when you contact our team at Ambient Edge. We also take care of heater maintenance and air duct cleaning.

Find out more about how we can help in Nevada and Arizona by calling or completing our online contact form.