Winter Heating System Maintenance Checklist

Don’t get caught in the cold!

Fall is a great time. And not just for football, trick-or-treating and apple cider donuts.

This is also the perfect time to prepare your South Shore home for the coming winter. Especially because the winter forecast for New England calls for a stormy season ahead!

We’re making it a bit easier for you by putting everything you should do in a handy list that, once you’re finished with the tasks on it, will help your home stay warm and comfortable no matter how wicked the weather.

Heating system winter readiness tips

Check your fuel supply. How much Bioheat or propane is in your home’s tank? This is a great time sign up for automatic delivery if you’re not already, to help prevent run-outs and give you peace of mind!

Seal out the drafts. This easy project of installing caulk, weatherstripping, door seals and door sweeps keeps your heated air indoors and the cold air outside where it belongs. If you have older windows with more substantial leaks, you might want to think about using plastic window coverings.

Replace air filters. The air filter in your home’s HVAC system should be changed at least every three months and more often if you have pets or if someone in your home has allergies or respiratory problems. Dirty filters reduce your HVAC system’s efficiency and can damage your heating system.

Clean the outdoor part of your HVAC system. Clear leaves, sticks and other debris away from the outdoor HVAC unit to make sure that there’s proper airflow into and out of the unit.

Turn off the outdoor water supply. Detach your garden hoses and put them away. Then close the inside shut-off valve and drain the outdoor faucet fixture or fixtures. This needs to be done before freezing temperatures hit to prevent frozen pipes. You may also want to install a faucet cover for even more insulation and protection.

Clean and clear your vents. Make this part of your fall housecleaning. Wipe down heating vents so dust and debris don’t get into your ductwork. Move furniture and other objects away from vents so heated air can more efficiently circulate.

Replace batteries: Take the time to replace the batteries in your smoke, carbon monoxide and propane detectors. If you have a programmable thermostat, replace the batteries on these as well.

Check your generator. Do you have a propane generator? They’re great for keeping your home fully-lit and comfortable during a power outage. Make sure yours is ready for winter weather by checking the generator’s fuel gauge and scheduling a propane delivery to top it off if needed.

Reverse the ceiling fan. Making your ceiling fan blades rotate clockwise, so heated air that rises toward the ceiling will be circulated back down into the living space, making your heating more efficient. Check the owner’s manual for your ceiling fan for instructions on this.

Listen for strange noises. If you have noises in your HVAC system, it could be many things. Contact Frank Lamparelli for service if you hear something unusual.

Trust the service professionals at Frank Lamparelli to help take good care of your home’s heating system. Get in touch with us today to schedule a service appointment. And don’t forget to ask about our Premium Heat Protection Plan before getting into the thick of the winter months!