When summer is coming to an end and the kids are going back to school, you may find yourself thinking about all of the ways that you need to get your home ready for the weather to change and winter to roll in. One of the most important systems that you will need to make sure is up and running and ready to go is your HVAC system. Get to know some of the steps that you can and should take to get your heating and cooling systems ready for winter so that you can be sure that you do not find yourself without heat on a cold winter's night.

Change Your Air Filter (Regularly)

One of the first steps you will want to take in the fall when you are getting ready for winter is to change out your air filter (furnace filter). A dirty or clogged air filter can cause a myriad of problems throughout your HVAC system that you want to avoid if necessary.

So, now is the time to change that filter. Make sure that you also set yourself up on a regular schedule to continue changing your filter throughout the winter. If you have an older home prone to getting dusty frequently or you have serious issues with indoor allergen sensitivity, you may want to try changing your filter once a month. Otherwise, once every two to three months will usually be sufficient to keep things up and running all winter long.

Have Your Heating System Inspected

At least once a year, you want to have your HVAC system thoroughly inspected. And in the fall, before winter sets in, is the perfect time to inspect your heating system. Heating services can do a great deal to ensure your system is ready to run in the winter including checking your pilot light and ensuring that the gas composition of your furnace is at safe levels.

It also benefits your home and HVAC system to have this inspection done in the fall so that if there are any serious issues, they do not occur when you are needing to actually use your heating system. The inspector will do a visual assessment of the unit and take gas readings and measurements. They will also run your furnace and heating system to ensure that it starts and runs properly. All of this can put your mind at ease when you are planning ahead for your home needs.

Now that you know a few of the ways that you can get your HVAC system ready for winter, you can get started as soon as possible and make sure your winter goes as smoothly as possible.