If you live in a place like Albuquerque, New Mexico where the temperatures are starting to drop during the latter part of fall, you need to prepare your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system for winter.

Preparing your HVAC system for the winter will help keep your indoors comfortable, work efficiently, and save energy costs. Below is a checklist that outlines how to get your HVAC ready for winter.

Clean the Outdoor AC Unit

Your outdoor A/C unit could be loaded with dirt, leaves, and other debris over the summertime. That debris can block airflow and hamper performance, which is an issue when you want to use it again.

What to Do:

1. It is important to keep the outdoor bubbling very clear by removing debris, leaves and sticks.
2. Prune back any excessive shrubbery or plant life to ensure proper space around the unit so that there is enough airflow.
3. Spray down the unit from a distance with a hose to remove dust and dirt, but stay away from high pressure as that can bend the fins.

When the outdoor unit is clean, it will be in good condition and available to assist your HVAC system when needed.

Clean the Vents and Air Ducts

If dirt and dust build up in the ducts and vents, it restricts airflow, making them inefficient as a heat source. This can build up during the summer and if not corrected — lead to bad IAQ.

What to Do:

1. Vacuum out or wipe clean vent covers.
2. The right professional duct cleaning Toronto services can be also able to help if you suspect a serious build-up of dust, mold or debris.
3. Do not have furniture or curtains blocking all the vents to ensure your air flows freely throughout your house.

Replace or Clean Air Filters

Air filters help keep dust, allergens and other particles from spread throughout your house. Filthy filters lead to reduced HVAC efficiency as well as decreased indoor air quality.

What to Do:

1. Examining your air filters each month and swapping them out if they look shabby (or jammed). Replace every 1-3 months for most filters
2. Choose well for better quality filters to pick up smaller particles and thus improve air overall quality.

Not only does this air help keep the heating process running smoothly, but clean air filters can also prolong the life of your HVAC system by reducing stress on your unit.

Test Your Heater Before the Cold Hits

The worst possible moment to discover that your heater is inoperable was not a week, since it already happened last night and it also happened last year when frost first set in. Avoid a last-minute heater emergency and repair by testing your heater before you need it.

What to Do:

1. Run your heater and see how it works.
2. When you run the test turn on your windows as it is possible to smell some burning if dust had gathered on these heating elements.
3. Look for warm air coming from the vents and listen for any weird sounds.

Before winter sets it, be sure to get a professional HVAC technician out to inspect and fix any issues if your heater is not behaving properly.

Listen for Unusual Noises

Your HVAC system should be running silently. If your washing machine is making noises like banging, clanging or screeching sounds, there may be a mechanical issue that needs to be fixed.

What to Do:

1. Be mindful of any strange sounds and how often they occur.
2. Get a qualified technician to check and fix the system. Catching the issue early can save you a lot of time and money on repairs in the long run.

Inspect the Thermostat

A working thermostat keeps your HVAC system operating at the right temperature without a lot of energy loss.

What to Do:

1. Check to see if your thermostat is reading the temperature of your room correctly and responding when you change settings.
2. If you have a smart thermostat or programmable thermostat, it can learn your habits and adjust when it runs in the house to save on those extra costs.

Seal Air Leaks

The drafts make it more difficult for your heating system to keep the indoor temperature at a comfortable level, so it works harder and consumes more energy.

What to Do:

1. Seal Air Leaks – Look for air leaks around windows and doors; any gaps can be filled with weather stripping or caulking.
2. You should place draft stoppers under doors to prevent warm air leakage.

Preventing heat loss from your home through air leaks increases energy efficiency and helps keep your house warm all winter long.

Make an Appointment for Professional HVAC Maintenance

Having a professionally qualified person regularly service your HVAC system will prevent the problems from occurring in the first place, and enable it to work more efficiently during those long winter months.

What to Do:

• Call a reputable company like Day and Night Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Drains LLC. Then, schedule an HVAC tune-up.
• When you have maintenance done, technicians inspect, clean, and adjust your HVAC components to help everything work better and avoid a breakdown when it is cold outside.

Remove Items From Around Heating Equipment

Clear away anything that might cover or block your furnace or heat pump. The potential fire hazard and reduced efficiency from clutter and stored goods near heating equipment.

What to Do:

1. Take away any items near the furnace, heat pump, or heating vents.
2. Keep air vents and registers free from obstructions to ensure proper airflow

If You Can Afford, Then Consider System Upgrade

For example, if your HVAC unit is outdated and energy inefficient, upgrading to a new energy-efficient system can increase comfort while reducing operation costs in the long term.

What to Do:

1. Assess the efficiency of your current system and the energy costs.
2. Ask an HVAC professional for a replacement, if needed.

Getting your HVAC in order before the winter months rolls around is important to ensure comfort blankets you’ll be needing for home, savings on energy bills, and unexpected failures.

Cleaning the outdoor unit, changing filters, testing the heater, listening for strange noises and sealing air leaks are some things you should do to prepare your HVAC system for warmer temperatures.

For same-day service and round the clock expertise throughout Albuquerque and the surrounding areas, reach out to Day and Night Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Drains LLC today for tips or assistance with maintenance of your system!