Winter Maintenance Checklist

Fall is finally – well, falling, here in Connecticut, which means that – like it or not – it’s time to prepare for winter. Here’s a quick checklist to prepare your home and home comfort equipment the colder months to come.

• Seal windows and doors – Installing caulk, door seals and door sweeps will more than pay for itself by reducing air leaks and keeping your family more comfortable. Consider plastic window coverings for more substantial air leaks.
• Turn off outdoor water – Detach your garden hoses, close the inside shut-off valve(s) and drain the faucet fixture before freezing temperatures hit.
• Check/replace air filters – Check your heating system air filter once a month, cleaning or replacing it if needed. Clogged air filters make your furnace work harder than it needs to, which reduces efficiency and could lead to costly heating system repairs down the road.
• Clean/clear vents – Wipe down heating vents to keep dust and debris out of your heating ducts. Move any furniture or objects that block heat from your vents, baseboards, and radiators.
• Clean your outdoor HVAC unit – Clear leaves, sticks or other debris from your outdoor HVAC unit to ensure proper airflow.
• Reverse your ceiling fan – Adjust your ceiling fan blades so they push rising warm air back down into the room (see your owner’s manual for instructions on how to reverse the rotation of your fan).
• Listen for unusual noises – Noises in your system can indicate vent blockages or debris, loose or broken parts, or other problems – contact us for service if you hear something unusual.
• Replace batteries – Check in on your carbon monoxide, smoke, and propane detectors.
• Schedule preventive maintenance – If you haven’t done it yet, schedule heating system maintenance: it will keep your equipment running efficiently and reliably all season long, so you’ll pay less for your bills and get more peace of mind (hint: our Warm Air Furnace or Boiler 17-Point Inspection includes an annual tune-up, plus other cost-saving benefits).
• Check your generator fuel gauge – Propane generators are a great insurance policy during a power outage – but only if they’re ready when you need them. Check your propane back up generator’s fuel gauge and top off if you need to.
• Get a propane fill-up – We’ve been lucky with weather so far this fall, but when temperatures drop, the cost of propane will rise. If you need a propane delivery, now is the time to get it.

Cold weather is on the way – stay one step ahead comprehensive propane delivery and propane installation and maintenance services from the pros at Hocon. Contact us today to learn more.