When the chill of winter sets in, your comfort and safety depend on reliable heating. A little preparation ensures you won’t get stuck shivering as you wait for a busy heating contractor to arrive. Here are some simple steps to stay toasty all winter long.

How to Get Your Heating System Ready for Winter

1. Clean Vents & Registers

Adjustable metal grates called registers protect your air vents. Take a closer look—there’s probably some dusty debris on the grille right now. Clean it to reduce allergens and improve efficiency; use a vacuum, then wipe the grille with a moist cloth. While you’re at it, ensure no furniture, drapes, or other obstructions block the vents.

2. Inspect the Heat Exchanger 

The heat exchanger is a metal chamber seated between your unit’s burner assembly and chimney vent. It conducts hot gases to create warmth. Heating contractors recommend checking it annually to ensure it’s free of cracks or holes that can leak dangerous carbon monoxide. When it’s in safe, working order, cleaning it with a vacuum or brush keeps it working well.

3. Protect Outdoor Units

Outdoor heat pumps and condensers take a beating from winter ice and snow. As the frozen precipitation builds up, it can choke airflow, causing the system to fail when you need it most. Heating contractors suggest clearing the ice and snow and constructing a protective cover for the unit.

4. Install a Smart Thermostat

You may not realize just how much the thermostat affects your winter energy bill. If the system runs while you’re away or asleep, you’re wasting valuable energy and money. You can schedule a programmable thermostat to turn on and off, making it easy to control heating bills.

5. Replace Air Filters

The simplest way to keep your system working at its peak this winter is to change the air filter every two to three months. Otherwise, dirt begins to restrict the airflow, making the system run less efficiently. That means less warmth and a greater chance of breakdowns.

6. Install & Check Alarms

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can be lifesavers in the winter. If there’s dangerous gas leaking from anywhere in your system, they give you a heads-up. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for proper placement and test batteries at least twice a year to ensure proper operation.

If your heating system isn’t working efficiently, have it checked by the trusted heating contractors at Dousman LP Gas in Waukesha County, WI. They have been providing safe, reliable propane and HVAC services throughout the area for over 30 years. Call (262) 965-2679 for an appointment, or learn more online.