Prepare Your HVAC System for Winter Now with These Tips

Fall is here, along with plenty of festivities. If you’re like most Indiana residents, you relish the cooler weather, changing leaves, and seasonal activities. At Oakland Heating and Air LLC, we don’t want to ruin a good thing. However, we want to encourage you to prepare your HVAC system for winter now because it’s right around the corner. Preparing now prevents unexpected outages and repairs later, so use the tips shared here.

Try a Few Practice Runs Before Cold Weather Hits

Anyone who has had a furnace tap out at the first cold snap knows how hard it can be to get it serviced. Unfortunately, most people don't prepare, which means multiple homeowners inundate HVAC service companies with service calls simultaneously. To avoid this, turn on your unit a couple of times before it gets too cold. Set your thermostat to its standard winter setting and allow it to reach that temperature before shutting it down. Doing this 2-3 times demonstrates the unit functions as it should.

Change Filters and Clean Vents

Dirty filters account for a large number of HVAC system issues. Clogged filters reduce the system's performance and efficiency. Over time, it can damage the unit. Avoid costly service fees and repairs, and keep your system running when you prepare your HVAC system for winter with this step. We recommend changing the filter regularly, especially if you have pets. Accordingly, 30 days is a good time, but don't wait any longer than 90 days.

Air vents are equally important as they impact your indoor air quality. Dust and debris accumulate over time, reducing the system's efficiency. Clean their air vents and have your air ducts cleaned to ensure proper ventilation and airflow. 

Schedule Seasonal Maintenance

It should be no surprise that fall and spring are the two times when HVAC systems go wrong. Therefore, it's crucial to schedule seasonal maintenance. Fall maintenance will prepare your HVAC system for winter and give you confidence that your system will operate sufficiently. You'll find seasonal maintenance costs to be affordable and much less than the cost of HVAC repair or replacement. 

Take steps now to prepare your HVAC system for winter, and avoid trouble down the road. Oakland Heating and Air provides HVAC service, maintenance, and installation to Indianapolis residents and the surrounding area. Give us a call at (317) 747-0198 to schedule an appointment or request an online quote.