Winter Is Coming . . . Will You Be Ready?

Your to-do list of prewinter chores may be daunting at this point in the fall. 

In addition to lawn and garden clean cleanup, it includes prepping your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, plumbing, and home weatherization.

Every entry on your list helps prepare your Wisconsin home for the freezing temperatures and snowy days ahead.

Midwest Heating & Cooling can take a few of those items off your plate. We have been helping folks in New Berlin with their HVAC needs for more than 20 years.

Heating System Maintenance

Let us keep your heating system in top condition with a fall inspection and tune-up. Our skilled professionals inspect, clean, and repair furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps. We will ensure your system will run at peak performance when the heating season starts.

If you are concerned about indoor air quality (IAQ) during winter, consider swapping out your HVAC filter for a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. The U.S. Department of Energy (EPA) says a HEPA filter can remove approximately 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns.

Whole-house humidifiers also improve indoor air quality by adding moisture to dry air in your home. A humidity level of 30 to 50 percent will keep your Wisconsin home comfortable. If the humidity level in your New Berlin home consistently drops below 30 percent in winter, consider adding a whole-house humidifier. 

Is it Time to Upgrade?

Boilers and heat pumps have a service life of approximately 15 years. Furnaces can last 15 to 30 years if they are well maintained. If your heating system is 15 years or older, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency model. 

An older, inefficient system combined with poor home insulation will contribute to higher energy bills. Inadequate insulation will cause your system to work harder too. 

Be sure your home has adequate insulation before the heating season begins. Ask our Midwest Heating & Cooling team for a consultation on upgrading to a high-efficiency system.

Prep Your Air Conditioner

Don’t ignore your air conditioner just because the cooling season has ended. Gently spray dirt off fan blades and coils with a garden hose and clean debris, leaves, and plants from around the condensing unit. Cover the unit with a breathable, waterproof cover for the winter. 

The easiest way to check this item off your to-do list is to ask a Midwest Heating & Cooling professional to winterize your air conditioner. You can schedule an air conditioner checkup and heating system maintenance for the same appointment. 

We will thoroughly clean the condenser coil, check the refrigerant and other components, and be sure there is no standing water in the system. 

Use a Programmable Thermostat

Use your programmable thermostat to control energy use and heating costs in winter. Program it to lower the temperature when you are sleeping or when you leave your New Berlin home. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, consider installing one. 

A Wi-Fi–enabled thermostat allows you to access it while at home or from your smartphone.  You can change the temperature setting in your home while on the go. A smart thermostat learns your home habits—when you leave home, arrive home, and sleep—and adjusts the temperature accordingly. 

DIY Winterizing

Don’t forget to add these simple tasks to your prewinter to-do list:

• Caulk and weather-strip around doors and windows to stop air from leaking out of and into your home. Sealing cracks will improve energy efficiency. 

• Be sure your propane or oil storage tank is full.

• Wrap an insulating blanket around your water heater.

• Insulate pipes in unheated areas, like the attic and crawl space.

• Shut off the water supply indoors for each outdoor faucet. Drain outdoor faucets and apply insulated covers to keep them warm.  

Let Us Help You Prepare for Winter

Midwest Heating & Cooling can take the stress out of winterizing your New Berlin, WI, home. We want you to get the best value and utmost comfort out of your HVAC system. Call us at 414-439-0827 or request service online.