The few weeks between summer cooling and full heating season are a useful window to prepare your HVAC for the transition. Total Comfort Solutions Heating & Air Conditioning — New Britain’s locally trusted HVAC provider since 1976 — covers the key steps to take before you need heat in earnest.
Preparing for Fall: Transitioning From AC to Heating
Replace the Air Filter
If you did not change the filter mid-summer, replace it now before the heating season starts. Standard disposable filters have a lifespan of roughly 90 days, which means a filter installed in spring may be overdue. For electrostatic or washable filters, clean them thoroughly before switching to heat mode. The filter protects the blower motor and furnace burners from dust and debris — starting the heating season with a clean filter gives the system a better foundation.
Inspect the Outdoor Unit
If your home uses a gas furnace with central AC, the outdoor condenser unit sits idle through winter. Use this transition time to inspect it: clear any accumulated debris, check the coil fins for bending or dirt buildup, and rinse the unit with a garden hose on a low setting to remove grime before it sits unused for months.
If your home is heated by a heat pump, the outdoor unit runs throughout winter — making this inspection even more important. Any obstruction affects the unit’s ability to extract heat from outdoor air during the coldest days of the year.
Clean All Vents and Registers
Open and unobstructed vents are essential for proper airflow in either mode. Walk through the house, confirm all supply and return vents are open, and wipe down all registers. Remove and wash grilles that have visible buildup. Return air grilles tend to collect the most debris because they draw air in rather than pushing it out.
Replace Thermostat Batteries
Battery-powered thermostats need replacement about once a year. A dead thermostat battery shuts down the entire HVAC system without any obvious indication of why — it is an easy problem to avoid. If you are considering an upgrade, smart thermostats draw power from HVAC wiring and do not require batteries at all. They also offer efficiency improvements and remote control from a smartphone.
Service the Humidifier or Dehumidifier
If your system includes a whole-home humidifier, check the water panel or evaporator pad and replace it if needed before heating season. Winter air is typically drier, making humidification more important during these months. Set indoor humidity to 30 to 40 percent for winter — lower than that and the air becomes uncomfortably dry; higher and you may see condensation on windows.
Check Weatherstripping on Windows and Doors
Worn or missing weatherstripping is one of the most common sources of winter drafts and heat loss. Test for gaps by holding a lit incense stick or thin strip of paper near door and window frames — movement indicates airflow. Replace worn weatherstripping before the cold sets in; it is one of the more cost-effective improvements you can make.
Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Before running a gas furnace for the first time each season, confirm your CO detectors are working. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, making detectors the only warning you will get. Press the test button; if there is no response, replace the batteries. CO detectors have a service life of five to seven years — replace the unit if yours is older, even if it appears to be functioning.
Schedule a Professional Fall Maintenance Appointment
A trained technician checks electrical connections, inspects and cleans burners, lubricates moving parts, examines the heat exchanger, and performs a full system test. Problems found now are far easier and less expensive to address than problems discovered during an HVAC maintenance. Total Comfort Solutions also offers maintenance plans for year-round service coverage and priority scheduling.
Total Comfort Solutions Heating & Air Conditioning is an ACCA member and AHRI certified — family-owned and operating since 1976. Call us at (215) 323-5330 to schedule your fall maintenance appointment.