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8 HVAC Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter

As temperatures drop, your HVAC system becomes the backbone of your home’s comfort. But some preparation is essential to keep things warm and cozy all season. Taking proactive steps can help prevent unexpected heating unit breakdowns, reduce energy costs, and keep your system running efficiently. 

In this guide, we will discuss ways to prep your HVAC system so you can enjoy a comfortable home without worrying about costly repairs or high heating bills.

Replace or Clean Air Filters of Your HVAC Unit

When HVAC air filters become clogged with dust and debris, they restrict airflow, causing your heating system to work harder than necessary to circulate warm air. This extra strain can lead to higher energy bills, reduced heating efficiency, and potential system breakdowns.

For optimal performance, check your filters once a month during the colder season and replace them at least every three months or more frequently if you have pets or allergies. With clean air filters, you can benefit from improved indoor air quality, reduce allergens, and ensure your HVAC operates at peak efficiency. 

Direct Home Services provides HVAC tips to prepare your home for winter, including maintenance and efficiency strategies for optimal heating performance.
Prepare your home for winter with HVAC maintenance tips from Direct Home Services. Ensure your heating system operates efficiently and stays reliable all season.

Check HVAC Thermostat Setting

Check the HVAC thermostat is accurately reading the indoor temperature and responding to changes. If you notice any discrepancies, recalibrate them or consider replacing them if they are outdated. 

For those still using manual thermostats, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat. These modern thermostats allow you to schedule temperature adjustments based on your daily routine, automatically lowering the heat when you’re away or asleep and raising it when you’re home and active.

A properly set thermostat will reduce wear on your HVAC unit and create a comfortable, efficient home environment all winter.

Seal the HVAC Ductwork

Leaky ductwork is a common issue that impacts the functionality of HVAC units. When ducts have gaps or cracks, warm air escapes before it reaches your living spaces, causing the HVAC unit to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. This also results in high energy bills and uneven heating. 

Inspect your ductwork for visible leaks, gaps, or loose connections to improve efficiency. Joints and seams are common problem areas. Seal leaks with aluminum foil tape or duct mastic, a special sealant for HVAC ducts. To reduce heat loss, wrap ductwork in unconditioned spaces, like attics or basements, for added insulation.

Clear HVAC Vents and Registers

Obstructed vents and registers can prevent your HVAC system from distributing warm air, leading to uneven heating and reduced efficiency. Inspect all vents and registers throughout your home to ensure they are fully open and free of blockages like furniture, curtains, or rugs.

Additionally, dust and debris can accumulate around these areas, reducing air quality, so regularly vacuuming and dusting around vents helps prevent buildup. Keeping vents and registers open and clean ensures better airflow, lower energy costs, and a cozier home during the colder months.

Insulate HVAC Pipes

Insulating exposed HVAC pipes can help your system retain heat, improve efficiency, and prevent the pipes from freezing in extremely cold weather. When pipes aren’t insulated, valuable heat can escape, causing your HVAC system to work harder and increasing energy costs. This is especially true for pipes in unheated spaces like basements, attics, or crawl spaces, where cold air can quickly cool them down.

To insulate HVAC pipes, use pipe insulation sleeves or wraps that fit snugly around the pipes. Make sure to cover any joints or bends thoroughly to prevent gaps. This added insulation layer helps keep the warm air moving efficiently through your system, reduces the workload on your heating unit, and prevents frozen pipes. 

Test Safety Features of Your HVAC Unit

It is important to check the safety features of your HVAC unit, especially if you are using a gas-powered furnace. Start by testing the carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home to ensure they work correctly. These detectors are essential for alerting you to dangerous gas leaks if the furnace malfunctions.

Additionally, check the HVAC system’s built-in safety features, such as the automatic shut-off and high-limit switches, which prevent the unit from overheating. If your system includes emergency shut-off controls, verify they are easily accessible and operational.

Clean Around the Furnace and Heat Pump

Dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate around your furnace and heat pump, restricting airflow and causing the system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This buildup can also pose a fire hazard, especially if flammable items are stored too close to the furnace.

Make it a habit to regularly vacuum and dust around the furnace and heat pump, especially before winter. Clear away any objects, boxes, or cleaning supplies that may be stored near these units, ensuring at least a two-foot clearance for optimal airflow.

Schedule a Professional HVAC Inspection.

A professional HVAC inspection includes a thorough check of your unit to identify potential issues that could lead to breakdowns during the colder months. They’ll inspect components such as the blower motor, heat exchanger, and burners, ensuring everything functions safely and efficiently.

During the inspection, the technician may also clean and lubricate key parts, remove debris or dust buildup, and check for minor repairs that could prevent more significant problems later. Regular HVAC maintenance keeps your HVAC unit in optimal condition, extends its lifespan, and helps avoid costly repairs. 

Stay Warm This Winter with Direct Home Services

Contact Direct Home Services for a routine HVAC inspection and maintenance. We are available 24 hours a day to keep your home comfortable and your heating system in top condition all season.

Call 860-339-6001 to book HVAC service.

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What others say

Read through our latest 5 star reviews below! Feel free to write a review based on your experience with Direct Home Services.

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M. Farrell

Very professional from start to finish. Great communication good value and selection on all products offered. Would always recommend, installers were great. Top of the line service across the board.

B. Jakes

Wonderful experience from start to finish. These guys were very friendly and easy to deal with. I highly recommend this company to anyone that needs this type of service. Thanks guys!! Keep up the great work!

A. Moran

Direct Home Services was wonderful to work with. I called them on a Monday, they came out within 3 hours to look at my system. The technician was knowledgeable and gave me some great insight into what was wrong with my system (needed to replace the whole thing). I did some shopping around, but Direct Home Services really had the best price, and the best guarantee of the system, and financing.

L. Albert

I would highly recommend Direct Home Services! We recently had Central Air installed. Their service fully satisfied our expectations. They were prompt, friendly, knowledgeable, and clean! Their financing was also very quick and efficient. We’re so glad we found them!

E. Chavarry

Today Direct Home Service finished the work done; I am happy because the ductless machine (A/C and Heating) looks wonderful, and the installation work has been excellent. Also, Bill is a super friendly and sincere man; let yourself be guided without worry; he knows his job.

E. Michaelis

You absolutely MUST use this business. Bill is a man of his word, an honest businessman, and has a phenomenal crew working with him! He will be upfront with you, and get you the best equipment for the best price! We are so fortunate to have selected this company! I’m sure you will be, too!

R. Jackson

I’ve known the owner, Bill, for a long time. Bill, his business and his team, really take pride in understanding their customers. I recommend contacting Direct Home Services for all your heating and cooling needs.

C. Caldwell

Direct Home Service , Rives Jackson, Thank you on behalf of my wife & I for the good Quality of work you and your team perform we were thoroughly impressed with your professionalism in your knowledge and really sitting down and taking the time to explain to us . I will definitely recommend you guys to anyone that is looking for HVAC or mini ductless units.

S. Mulligan

Bill and his team were professional from the first phone call right through to the installation of my ac and heating system. I got two quotes and Direct Home Services was cheaper, but really the big difference was the responsiveness, timeliness, and all-around professionalism shown throughout the process. It was night and day compared to the other company I had been dealing with. Save yourself a headache and go with Direct Home Services. The project will get done quickly and at a good price.

Our customer process

When you contact Direct Home Services for air conditioning repair in Hartford, CT, we take you through a simple process to get your air conditioning or heating system working properly again.

(860) 339-6001 Request Service

Here’s how it works:


01.

Contact us and explain the problem

02.

We will come to your home and assess the situation

03.

We will create a plan to fix the problem and give you a quote upfront

04.

We will either repair or replace your air conditioner so you can get back to your everyday life