Is Your HVAC Ready for Winter? 5 Things to Check Before the First Cold Snap

The temperature’s dropping, the blankets are out, and you can almost smell hot cocoa in the air—which means it’s time to make sure your HVAC system is ready to take on winter.

A few simple maintenance steps now can help you avoid breakdowns later, keep energy costs low, and make your home feel cozy all season long. Here are five things to check before that first cold snap hits.

1. Change Your Air Filter

Your air filter is the first line of defense against dust, pet dander, and other particles that clog your system and pollute your indoor air. During the colder months, your HVAC runs more often—and a dirty filter makes it work harder, driving up energy costs and reducing efficiency.

Replacing your air filter every 1–3 months keeps your system breathing easily and ensures your family is breathing cleaner, fresher air.

Pro tip: FilterTime makes it effortless. Just set your filter size and delivery frequency, and we’ll send fresh filters straight to your door—right when it’s time to swap.

2. Check Your Thermostat

Before you fire up the heat, make sure your thermostat is working properly and set to “heat” mode. Replace old batteries, check your programmed schedule, and consider upgrading to a smart thermostat for better control and energy savings.

Even a few degrees of adjustment can make a big difference in comfort and utility bills.

3. Inspect Vents and Registers

Take a quick walk around your home and make sure all vents are open and unobstructed by furniture, rugs, or curtains. Proper airflow ensures even heating and helps your system work efficiently.

If you notice cold spots in certain rooms, it could be a sign that your system is struggling—or that your air filter needs replacing.

4. Schedule a Routine HVAC Tune-Up

A professional HVAC inspection before the winter rush can help catch small issues before they turn into major repairs. Your technician can clean coils, check refrigerant levels, and make sure everything’s running safely and efficiently.

Think of it as your system’s annual wellness check—it’ll thank you with reliable heat all season long.

5. Seal Air Leaks and Insulate

Even the best HVAC system can’t keep up if warm air is escaping through cracks or poor insulation. Check windows, doors, and attic spaces for drafts, and seal any gaps you find.

Good insulation keeps warm air in, cold air out, and your energy bills lower.

Keep It Simple with FilterTime

Staying warm shouldn’t mean stressing over HVAC maintenance. With FilterTime, you can cross “change air filter” off your to-do list for good.

Just pick your size, choose your schedule, and we’ll handle the rest—delivering high-quality, American-made filters to your door exactly when it’s time to replace them.

Stay Warm, Save Money, and Breathe Happy

Prepare your home for winter comfort and cleaner air.

Use code SAVE15NOW to get $15 off your first air filter order and make this winter your coziest (and freshest) yet.
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