When you think about winter, ideally you imagine a comfortable evening at home. But once in a while winter doesn't feel like going along with our plans, and we're left shivering in our own homes. You may not be able to keep a blizzard from rolling through, but you can prevent your furnace and other HVAC equipment from being ill prepared for winter. Nobody likes or deserves a faulty furnace, which is why we created this checklist for getting your HVAC system ready for winter.

Five Ways to Prepare Your HVAC for Winter

1. Wrap up Your Outdoor Unit and Clear the Space Nearby

Since most HVAC systems have an outdoor condenser unit to dispel heat, you'll want to ensure that the area nearby is free of any yard debris. Clean 5 feet of space or so from any vegetation or sticks. It's also a good idea to make sure it's covered up by a piece of tarp or similar material over the winter. This keeps ice and other problems from getting inside the condenser.

2. Rinse or Replace the Air Filter

Always evaluate and clean out your air filter, normally placed in your furnace's indoor air handler. Dust, pollen, animal dander and many other materials can steadily collect in the air filter. If it continues unchecked, your HVAC system can lose efficiency and potentially even become a fire hazard. A clean air filter allows air to flow smoothly, sustaining good ventilation and helping keep indoor air quality healthy. To secure the most benefit from the filter, make sure to clean or change it every few months or in line with manufacturer instructions.

3. Clean the Blower

The blower is crucial to your Lennox furnace, and as an essential component it can attract a lot of wear and tear. Cleaning it once in a while will help keep it in great shape. Vacuum the area next to the blower and brush the blades with a microfiber cloth for optimal airflow. If you’re hearing any strange noises or aren't getting any circulation from the vents, get a professional technician to check out your blower.

4. Search for Gaps or Dents in Your Furnace

Make sure that your furnace has no visible damage on the inside or outside units. A hole in the air handler or a large dent in the condenser unit outside may contribute to all sorts of comfort problems, such as heat escaping before it reaches your ductwork. If there is significant damage, speak with your local technician at JTech Mechanical about checking out the system before the temperatures start dropping. This way you can avoid letting a small flaw in the system transform into a major problem.

5. Test Your Equipment Before It Gets Too Cold

It's always wise to make sure your heating or cooling is functioning properly before its busiest season. If not, your heating could be unprepared for the first real drop in temperatures. Doing a test run of your heating can give you the chance to discover potential problems then and there, while they're still simpler to solve. This also removes any dust that might have gathered in the air ducts over the fall, removing that burnt smell. As soon as your furnace is in working condition, you can sled away from your HVAC worries.

A Well-Prepared Furnace Is a Great Way to Welcome Winter

Winter weather should be on the way before you know it. If you make an effort to get your furnace ready beforehand, you can spend the all winter enjoying the holidays, sipping hot cocoa or relaxing with your family inside a warm, cozy home. Remember to follow the tips above to get your home ready for next winter!