Start preparing your HVAC system for winter now

Yes, you read that right: We said Winter. While it’s hard to think about winter coats as we soak up the last days of summer, now is the perfect time to prepare your home and heating system for the cold.

Make your own basic weather protection

A wide range of relatively simple DIY projects can go a long way toward keeping the winter weather out (and the warmth in). Add or update weather stripping around your doors. Seal cracks on your home’s exterior. Install storm windows. A slightly bigger project is adding or beefing up insulation to your home, especially if you have a drafty attic (there’s even a $1,200 tax incentive thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2023). And if you live in an area where weather-related power outages are common, buying a generator might be a good DIY project —Nowand not when a storm hits them two days before the next storm.

Make sure your HVAC system is working properly

Courtesy of Trane

Schedule a professional inspection well before winter to perform any necessary maintenance and ensure you stay warm and comfortable when the temperatures drop. If you have a Trane HVAC system, for example, you can easily schedule an inspection through your local dealer.

A technician can also troubleshoot any thermostat issues. By upgrading to a smart thermostat like the Trane UX360, you can control your room’s air conditioning using the Trane Home app—even when you’re not home. So if, for example, you return from vacation and find that the temperature in your home has dropped, you can use your smartphone or tablet to make sure your home is comfortable when you return.

Once you’re sure your HVAC system is working, make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep it that way from now until the colder months. Replacing air filters is one of the easiest maintenance tasks, but it’s often overlooked. With a filter subscription service like Trane Filters, powered by FilterTime, you determine what size filters you need and set a regular frequency for them to be delivered. (Once every three months is a good guideline, but if your heating system is running for a longer period of time, you may want to increase the frequency.) Once the filters arrive at your home, that’s a sign to actually install them—not stash them in the basement.

If you live in a fire-prone area

Sometimes, as fall approaches, the problem isn’t cold weather—the problem is wildfires. For the period from August through November 2024, the National Interagency Fire Center has predicted “significant above-normal fire potential” across much of the West, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest (read their report and follow their seasonal outlook here ).

And harmful wildfire smoke can affect you even if you live miles away from the source. If you live in an area prone to wildfires, consider adding a whole-home air purifier like the Trane CleanEffects Whole Home Air Cleaner to your HVAC system for added protection. It’s 100 times better at removing particles from the air than standard 1-inch filters. Plus, it will improve your indoor air quality year-round, no matter where you live.