HVAC Repairs and Upgrades to Consider Before Winter Hits

Winter is coming – or at least, eventually. With summer winding to a close in the next few months and cooler weather on its heels, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to prepare and upgrade your HVAC system for the winter months. After all, the last thing you want to end up with is a broken HVAC system when you need it the most. Here’s how you should prepare your home’s HVAC system for winter weather.

Which HVAC repairs and maintenance should you schedule before winter?

Step #1: Schedule an inspection and if needed, a tuneup. HVAC repairs and maintenance are critical if you want to make it through the winter season comfortably. Contact your HVAC company to get your home on the books – you’ll want them to thoroughly inspect your HVAC system as well as service elements of your heating system like your furnace, boiler, and/or heat pump.

Step #2: Change your air filters. Your air filter helps to keep your HVAC system free of dirt, dust, and other debris, all of which can negatively impact performance. Do you remember the last time you changed your home’s air filter? Check it now and if it’s dirty, swap it for a clean one. We recommend checking your air filter on a monthly basis to ensure it’s in good shape.

Step #3: Make sure your humidifier is working. Your humidifier helps keep your home moist when the dry winter air rolls in, so it’s a critical part of your home’s HVAC system. Make sure that the water panel and water reservoir are clean, and check the drain lines for leaks. You should also test the humidifier to ensure it works. If your humidifier has seen better days, this may be one of the HVAC upgrades you consider for the winter season.

Step #4: Clean the furnace. You’ll also want to give your furnace a little TLC after it sat unused for the summer months. You can have an HVAC professional clean and tune up the interior of the furnace; you should ensure that the area around the furnace is clean and clear of debris that could be a hazard when the furnace is in use. Additionally, if your furnace isn’t performing like it should and HVAC repairs can’t get it back on track, consider adding it to your list of HVAC upgrades for the winter.

Step #5: Prep your outside unit. You’ll want to prepare your outside A/C unit for winter weather before the winter weather actually arrives. Clean the exterior and move any debris away from it, weed around it, and trim back any trees that hang over it. We also recommend turning the unit off when you no longer need it and covering it if you want to give it a little extra protection from winter weather.

Step #6: Re-program your home’s thermostat. You probably have your thermostat settings adjusted for summer – when winter weather starts to set in, make sure you update the settings to keep your home warm and comfortable throughout the season.

Which HVAC upgrades should you consider before winter arrives?

Part of winter prep is also ensuring that your entire HVAC system is in the best possible condition, and this might require HVAC upgrades. Going into a season where your system has to work overtime with parts that are in subpar condition can lead to costly issues when you least want them. Here are the HVAC upgrades we recommend for the winter season if your equipment has seen better days:

A new thermostat to ensure the temperature inside your home stays regulated
New smoke and carbon monoxide detectors if yours are dated
A new furnace to keep your home warm all winter long
A new humidifier to keep crucial moisture in balance
A cover for your outside A/C unit
New air filters to keep your HVAC system free of dirt and debris

Trust us – it’s better to replace old and faulty equipment now than be stuck with an icy cold home in the dead of winter.

Contact Superior HVAC today for all of your HVAC repair and upgrade needs

Need help maintaining, inspecting, or upgrading your HVAC system? Call Superior HVAC today for all of your winter HVAC repairs and upgrades.