As the summer comes to a close, you’ll begin using your home’s AC less and less. Then, you’ll have a window of a few weeks when you don’t need AC or heat to stay comfortable. In that span, you must prepare your home’s HVAC to transition from AC to heating. There are a few steps involved that will help ensure you have a comfortable and uneventful heating season. Here’s what they are.
Replace Your HVAC Air Filter
If your HVAC uses a standard disposable air filter, replacing it before you switch on the heat is a good idea. Most disposable filters last roughly 90 days, so you need a new one unless you changed yours mid-summer. The filter’s job is to prevent dust and dirt from entering your HVAC blower motor. It also protects your furnace burners if you have them. If your HVAC uses an electrostatic or otherwise washable filter, cleaning it before turning on the heat is advisable.
Check Your Outdoor HVAC Unit
If you have the typical central AC and gas furnace combination, your HVAC outdoor unit only runs in the summer. Its job is to expel heat collected inside your home while your AC runs. That means the end of the cooling season is the right time to inspect your outdoor unit. Look for any debris or detritus surrounding it. If you find any, clear it away. Ideally, you want as much unobstructed space around your outdoor unit as possible. You should also look at the fins on the outdoor unit’s coils. Check that they’re not bent or visibly dirty. If you spot any dirt, rinse it using a garden hose on a low setting. Doing this makes transitioning back to AC easier the following year.
If your home has a heat pump, its outdoor unit will continue running all winter. For those, it’s even more essential to perform a quick inspection before turning your heat on. A heat pump’s outdoor unit must collect heat from the outdoor air to warm your home. If anything obstructs its outdoor unit, it may struggle to do that.
Clean Your Home’s Vents
The end of the cooling season is also the perfect time to give your home’s vents some attention. Check that all your vents are open and nothing’s blocking them. Then, wipe them all down to remove accumulated dust and dirt. If you find any especially dirty vents, remove their grilles and wash them in soapy water. Pay extra mind to your home’s return air grille. It’s the likeliest to get dirty as your AC runs. Cleaning it before turning on the heat will help keep your new air filter cleaner longer.
Change Your Thermostat Batteries
If your home has a battery-powered thermostat, its batteries likely need replacement about once a year. You can make replacing them a part of your end-of-AC-season maintenance checklist. If your thermostat’s batteries fail, your HVAC will turn off. That’s the last thing you want to wake up to on a cold winter morning.
You might also want to consider upgrading to a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat draws power from your HVAC or a permanent wiring harness. Installing one would mean never changing thermostat batteries again. Smart thermostats significantly improve your HVAC efficiency and can help improve your home’s comfort.
Inspect Your Humidifier or Dehumidifier
If your HVAC system includes a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier, take a moment to inspect it. Most such systems also have built-in filters that need periodic cleaning or replacement. A dirty filter in a humidifier or dehumidifier could lead to significant energy waste. If the filter gets dirty enough, your unit may fail to maintain the proper indoor humidity.
If you have a whole-home humidifier, it may also require a water pad or panel replacement. That’s the component that infuses moisture into your home’s air. Since winter is typically drier than the summer, that’s when you’ll need your humidifier most. Follow your unit’s instructions to determine when and how to change its pad.
Depending on your system type, you may also need to adjust humidity levels for the heating season. During the colder winter months, you want your home kept between 30% and 40% relative humidity. Any higher than that, you may get condensation on your cold windows. Any lower and everyone in your home might experience the dreaded winter itch.
Check Weatherstripping on Windows and Doors
In the winter, few things are as uncomfortable as feeling cold breezes in your home. So, before you switch your HVAC to heating mode, check your home’s weatherstripping. You need it to seal gaps around your windows and doors reliably. You’ll have a drafty home if any of it peels away or gets damaged. Replace worn or missing weatherstripping, and look for additional windows or doors that need it. One way to do that is to shine a flashlight at any gaps you spot. If the light passes through, so will cold air.
Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Before you turn the heat on for the season, check your home’s carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. They’re critical safety equipment you need year-round but especially in winter. If you have a gas furnace, it is a likely source of CO leaks. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that’s fatal to humans in high concentrations. Your CO detectors should have easy-to-find test buttons. If you press one and nothing happens, change the unit’s batteries. And remember, CO detectors typically last between five and seven years. If yours are older than that, replace them even if they appear functional.
Schedule an HVAC Maintenance Appointment
The final thing to do before turning on your heat is to have your HVAC serviced. During a maintenance visit, an HVAC technician will check all the parts of your heater you can’t access. That includes your furnace’s wiring and blower motor. They’ll also lubricate moving parts and visually inspect your furnace burners. If they’re dirty, the technician will clean them. They’ll also make any necessary adjustments and perform a system test. They’ll alert you if they spot signs of damage or unusual wear and tear. It’s a good idea to address those problems before winter arrives. It could help you avoid a breakdown and the emergency service call you’d need to restore your heat.
Your Reliable Heating Partner
To keep your home’s heating system working year after year, you need an HVAC company you can trust. TCS Heating and Air Conditioning has been New Britain, PA’s leading HVAC service provider since 1976. We’re a family-owned and -operated company with deep roots in the area. We’re a member of the ACCA and hold AHRI certification.
You can count on us to deliver superior HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services. Plus, we handle ductwork, indoor air quality, and HVAC zoning. We even offer convenient HVAC maintenance plans to help you keep your home’s comfort systems running efficiently. And if your HVAC breaks down unexpectedly, we also provide emergency repair services. So, give TCS Heating and Air Conditioning a call for an HVAC maintenance appointment before the heating season arrives in New Britain. We also offer boiler services!
