Seasonal heating preparation
Preparing a home before the heating season is mostly about catching small problems while it is still mild enough to work comfortably. The aim is a building that holds the heat it produces and equipment that runs as intended once the cold sets in.
A fall walk-through
The list below is a sequence rather than a ranking. Sealing comes early because it changes how much work the heating system has to do; equipment checks come once the envelope is in order.
- Find and close drafts. Check window and door perimeters, the attic hatch, and visible penetrations. Weatherstripping and caulk address the gaps an envelope accumulates over a year.
- Look at the attic. Confirm insulation has not been disturbed or compressed and that the hatch closes against a seal.
- Service the heating system. Furnaces and heat pumps are generally checked before the season; combustion appliances in particular should be serviced by a qualified technician.
- Replace or clean filters. A clogged filter restricts airflow and makes a system work harder.
- Clear outdoor equipment. Heat-pump outdoor units need clearance and should be kept free of leaves, ice, and drifting snow.
- Set the thermostat schedule. Program setpoints for the patterns of the household before the first cold spell.
Thermostats and setpoints
A programmable or smart thermostat lets temperature follow a daily routine — lower while the house is empty or asleep, higher when it is occupied. The benefit comes from the schedule actually matching how the home is used, so setpoints are worth revisiting when routines change.
Heat pumps behave differently. Some heat pumps are most efficient holding a steady temperature rather than recovering from deep setbacks. Manufacturer guidance for the specific unit should take priority over a general setback habit.
Cold-climate heat pumps in winter
Air-source heat pumps move heat rather than generate it by burning fuel. Cold-climate models are designed to keep working at low outdoor temperatures, though capacity changes as it gets colder, which is why systems are sized and, in some installations, paired with a backup heat source. They also run a periodic defrost cycle to clear frost from the outdoor coil, during which behaviour can look unusual but is normal.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and ice and raised above expected snow depth where installed that way.
- Expect performance to vary with outdoor temperature; this is inherent to how the technology works.
- Follow the manufacturer's guidance on backup heat and defrost behaviour for the specific model.
Safety first. Any work involving combustion appliances, gas, or electrical connections should be left to a qualified technician. Seasonal preparation by an occupant is limited to filters, clearances, sealing, and settings.