5 Tips to Prepare Your HVAC for Winter

Written by deNovo / November 13, 2017

Iowa receives up to 26 days of snowfall and 34 inches of snow each winter, with temperatures plunging below zero. To keep the occupants of your home or business safe and warm, we recommend taking steps to prepare your HVAC system for the coming winter.

1. Check Your Building Envelope

Before winter, it is always a good idea to check your building’s envelope for air leaks, especially around doors and windows, and seal any air leaks. For homeowners, this may include replacing the weatherstripping on doors, investing in a door draft blocker and caulking windows. For businesses, this may mean testing for air leaks and taking the appropriate action to seal those leaks.

2. Change Your Air Filter

Businesses and homeowners need to change their air filters regularly. When you seal your home or business against the cold outdoor air, you are increasing your reliance on your air filter to remove particulate matter and keep your indoor air clean. Changing your air filter regularly helps ensure your air is adequately filtered and helps keep your HVAC system running smoothly. You should change your filter every 90 to 120 days.

3. Ready Your Thermostat

Make sure to set your thermostat to heat and set the appropriate indoor temperature. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can program it to lower the indoor temperatures while you are asleep and away from home. Energy.gov recommends setting the thermostats to 68 degrees while the building is occupied and 56 to 58 degrees while sleeping or while the building is unoccupied.

4. Inspect and Maintain Your Air Ducts

Heat loss can occur through cracks, holes, or gaps in your home or commercial building’s air ducts. In addition, having your air ducts cleaned and sealed can help prevent heat loss and increase your HVAC system’s heating efficiency.

5. Schedule an HVAC System Inspection

Prior to the start of winter, it’s a good idea to schedule an HVAC inspection. These inspections look for worn or broken parts that could lead to a catastrophic failure and check for any electrical problems within the unit. They also include programming your thermostat and cleaning the system to help improve its energy efficiency.

To schedule your HVAC inspection with a Hanna Plumbing & Heating expert, contact us or call us today!