When you think about winter, ideally you think of a cozy evening in your warm home. But sometimes winter doesn't want to go along with our plans, and we're left shivering in our own homes. You won't always be able to prevent a blizzard from showing up, but you can prevent your heating from being ill prepared for winter. Nobody wants or deserves a faulty furnace, which is why we prepared this checklist for getting your HVAC system ready for winter.

Five Ways to Prepare Your HVAC for Winter

1. Cover Your Outdoor Unit and Clean the Space Nearby

Since most HVAC systems have an outdoor condenser unit to dispel heat, you'll want to make sure that the area surrounding it is clean of any yard debris. Clear 5 feet of space or so from any vegetation or rocks. It's also smart to ensure it's protected by a section of tarp or similar material during the winter. This keeps ice and anything else from getting inside the condenser.

2. Rinse or Replace the Air Filter

Always check and clean out your air filter, customarily placed in your furnace's indoor air handler. Dust, pollen, animal dander and many other kinds of debris can slowly accumulate in the air filter. If it continues unchecked, your furnace might lose efficiency and potentially even become a fire hazard. A clean air filter helps air to flow more freely, maintaining good ventilation and helping keep indoor air quality higher. To get the most benefit from an air filter, make sure to clean or change it every couple of months or according to manufacturer instructions.

3. Clean the Blower

The blower is essential to your Lennox furnace, and as a key component it can attract a lot of wear and tear. Cleaning it on occasion will help keep it in great shape. Vacuum the area next to the blower and rub the blades with a microfiber cloth for more efficient airflow. If you notice any strange noises or can't get any circulation from the vents, hire a professional technician to check out your blower.

4. Look for Gaps or Dents in Your Furnace

Make sure that your furnace is free of visible damage on the inside or outside units. A hole in the air handler or damage to the condenser unit outside may worsen all manners of comfort problems, like heat leaking out before it moves into your ductwork. If there is significant damage, talk to your local technician at Tru Air Systems LLC about examining the system before the temperatures begin to drop. This way you can avoid letting a small gap in the system transform into a major problem.

5. Test Your Furnace Before It Gets Too Cold

It's always practical to make sure your HVAC system is functioning properly before the middle of winter. Otherwise, your furnace could be unprepared for the first true drop in temperatures. Performing a test run of your furnace can give you the opportunity to notice potential problems right away, while they're still more straightforward to correct. This also burns off any dust that will often have piled up in the air ducts over the fall, removing that burnt smell. As soon as your furnace is in working order, you can sled away from any HVAC worries.

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

Winter weather will be on the way before you know it. If you spend some time to get your furnace prepped beforehand, you can spend the all winter enjoying the holidays, drinking hot cocoa or spending time with your family inside a warm, cozy home. Remember to follow the tips above to get your home ready for next winter!