Your HVAC Winter Maintenance Checklist

Winter is upon us and that means the days are getting colder and the nights are growing longer.

Now is the time to perform HVAC winter maintenance and determine if your HVAC could use a tune-up. After all, the last thing anyone wants is to find out their heating gives out in the midst of a blizzard or freezing temperatures.

Using this HVAC winter maintenance checklist can help you prepare your heating system for the winter. However, it is always recommended to have your home's HVAC system inspected annually by the certified experts at Bradley Mechanical. Our HVAC professionals can perform a detailed analysis of your home's performance and help identify problems before they become more serious.

Outdoor Checklist

Clean Your Condenser Coils

A heat pump's condenser coils are responsible for transferring heat. Condenser coils absorb heat energy from the outside air, which is then moved inside, warming the air in your home during winter. Since the heat pump is typically located outside, condenser coils can quickly become covered with dirt, leaves, grass and other outdoor debris. Dirty or blocked condenser coils can significantly reduce the efficiency of your heat pump. To clean, gently brush off the condenser coils with a brush or broom. Use a fin comb to straighten any bent condenser fins.

Clear Away All Debris

For a heat pump to work efficiently, the area around it must remain clear of any obstructions. Proper airflow is needed; otherwise, it can result in poor performance or damage to internal components. Remove any plants and debris within three feet of the heat pump in all directions. If snow has accumulated around the heat pump, be sure to carefully remove it and avoid damaging any condenser coils or fins.

Inside Checklist

Test and Program the Thermostat

If your home doesn't already have a programmable thermostat, now is a good time to invest in one. With a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature to turn down a few degrees while you are away from home or while you sleep. This gives your HVAC system a break and can help avoid your electricity bill from skyrocketing.

Clean Vents and Registers

Over time, dirt, dust, and pet hair can collect in the vents or registers. This accumulation of debris can restrict or reduce airflow. Use a vacuum to clean out vents or registers and continue doing so on a regular basis to avoid future buildup.

Replace Air Filters

One of the simplest and most effective things you can do to reduce the strain on your HVAC system is to regularly change the air filters. Home performance experts suggest you change your air filters every 30 to 90 days. If you have pets or family members with allergies, you should consider changing the air filters more often. Upgrading to pleated air filters will help reduce the amount of allergens in your home's air.

Check for Drafts

Drafty windows and doors allow cold air to enter your home while also allowing warm air to escape. This is causing your HVAC system to work harder and more often, resulting in a higher energy bill – not to mention shortening the lifespan of your heating unit. Have a professional like Bradley Mechanical perform a home performance test to find the problematic areas and fully insulate them.

Check Your Humidifier

If you have an HVAC with a full-house humidifier, now is the time to clean out the water panel. After a long, humid summer, humidifiers should be properly cleaned and scanned for any mold or debris that could hinder their effectiveness.

Call the Professionals

HVAC winter tune-ups are some of the most common routine services we provide. A home's heating system is vital during the colder months and requires regular maintenance to keep up with the demands of temperature fluctuations.

After you've given your HVAC a once-over, reach out to the HVAC pros at Bradley Mechanical. We can take a deeper look and identify if there are bigger issues hiding underneath the hood. By identifying problems early, we can better steer away from more significant (and often more expensive) issues down the road. That way you and your family can rely on your heating system all winter long.

Let Bradley Mechanical's HVAC professionals help you maintain your heating system this winter. We have been serving the home performance needs of Richmond homeowners for over 50 years. Give us a call today at (804) 748-6728 for expert HVAC service, repair or installation anywhere in Central Virginia.