Preparing Your HVAC System for Cooler Weather in Tennessee

As the days get shorter and the nights start to get cooler, it’s time to think about prepping your home for the cold winter season, which includes preparing your heating system. Below, we’ll share some expert tips on how to properly prepare your heating system for the upcoming colder season.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

One of the most important things you should do is schedule professional maintenance services. This helps ensure that your heating system operates safely and efficiently going into the winter season.

Most manufacturers require annual professional maintenance to keep your warranty coverage valid. This service will greatly reduce your risk of experiencing an unexpected breakdown and help maintain efficiency. Even better, you can have peace of mind that you’re not overpaying for your wintertime heating bills.

Change Air Filter

While professional maintenance is great for prepping your system for the upcoming season, routinely changing your system’s air filter is an absolute necessity to maintain operating efficiency. We suggest replacing the filter at the beginning of the season and checking it every month to see when it needs to be replaced again.

Most homeowners find they need to replace their HVAC air filter about every two to three months. If you suffer from allergies, asthma, or another respiratory condition, you may want to consider getting a higher-rated filter—but only if your system is designed to handle it. Using a filter that is too restrictive can reduce airflow and cause your furnace to overheat or work harder than necessary. Always check your system’s specifications before upgrading filters. If you want better air quality, consider pairing your HVAC with a separate air purifier.

Order Fuel

If your heating system relies on oil or propane for fuel, you need to ensure that your fuel tank is full going into the winter season. Many homeowners find it helpful to set up an automatic delivery service so they don’t forget about ordering fuel and risk running out. If your heating system uses natural gas or electricity, you can skip this step.

Check Your Air Vents

Your heating system is only as effective as your ductwork. If you have any vents closed off, it can affect the delivery of warm air to each area and increase the pressure inside your ducting, which could lower HVAC operating performance. We recommend going around to each room in your home to examine your vents. Make sure each vent is fully open and there are no obstructions that would block airflow in or out of it.

Inspect Safety Equipment

To keep your family and home safe, you likely have carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and even a fire extinguisher. Before the cold winter weather sets in, it’s the perfect time to check all of those detectors to see if they need new batteries. Additionally, check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher to ensure that it’s still valid.

Chimney or Vent Inspection

If your heating system relies on natural gas, oil, or propane, then you have a venting system that allows toxic fumes from the combustion process to exit your home. If your furnace vents through a chimney or flue, have it inspected and cleaned before winter to remove any debris buildup. Newer high-efficiency furnaces often use PVC piping instead of chimneys—these should be inspected as well to ensure they’re clear of blockages and properly sloped for safe venting.

Seal Air Leaks and Inspect Insulation

It doesn’t matter how much heat your heating system can produce. If you have air leaks on your exterior walls or minimal insulation in your home, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to maintain a comfortable temperature. We suggest checking all your exterior walls for any air leaks around door and window frames and other locations.

Use weatherstripping, foam insulation, or another product to adequately seal up those air leaks to prevent cold winter air from seeping in and affecting your indoor temperature. Furthermore, you should examine any exposed insulation, such as in your attic. If insulation is sitting below the top of your joists, you should add more until you reach recommended levels for Tennessee homes—typically R-38 to R-60.

Program Your Thermostat

Your thermostat is the key to optimal comfort and energy savings throughout the winter. Before the cold weather sets in, it’s the perfect time to program your thermostat to optimize energy savings. Aim to turn the temperature down at times you know you won’t be home to avoid wasting fuel. Additionally, consider turning the temperature down a few degrees in the late evening and overnight hours to further optimize your energy savings.

Clean Up Your Outdoor Unit

If you utilize a heat pump or ductless mini-split system, then you have an outdoor condenser unit. It’s helpful to inspect the state of that outdoor unit before winter. Aim to remove any debris that’s pushed up against it, like leaves or twigs. Trim back any shrubs or low-hanging branches that could interfere with airflow. Keeping your outdoor unit clear ensures it operates at peak efficiency all season long.

Consider an Upgrade

In general, most furnaces last 15 to 20 years, while heat pumps provide a usable lifespan of about 10 to 15 years. Ductless mini-split systems can last 15 to 20 years. If your heating system is nearing the end of its usable lifespan, it may be time to consider an upgrade.

Newer systems operate more efficiently, leading to more energy savings for you. Many of these newer systems come with smart technology integration, like smart thermostats, that can help boost operating efficiency and make heating more convenient. We highly recommend upgrading in the fall, as you’ll enjoy more flexible scheduling and can often find seasonal specials from HVAC manufacturers.

Switch Your Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are a great way to help recirculate hot air during the winter. For your ceiling fans to work correctly during the colder months, make sure they are set to spin clockwise on a low setting. This helps push warm air back down into the living space, making rooms feel more comfortable and reducing how often your heating system needs to cycle.

The Many Benefits of Proper System Preparation

When you take the steps above into action, you can rest assured that your heating system is in the best condition possible to take on the upcoming colder winter weather. This can provide you with peace of mind that your risk of experiencing a breakdown is minimal and that your heating system is operating safely.

Doing this annual prep ensures your system is running efficiently. This reduces strain, extends equipment lifespan, and helps keep heating costs under control. It also ensures your system produces even, consistent heat throughout your home.

Top-Notch HVAC Maintenance Service

A/C Plus Heating & Cooling offers top-notch HVAC maintenance in Murfreesboro, TN. We can also assist with all your HVAC repair, installation, and replacement needs. Call our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced technicians.