How to prepare your heating system for a Quebec winter

A Quebec winter does not forgive a neglected heating system. A January breakdown means a house that cools in hours and an emergency bill. The good news: a few simple autumn steps prevent the vast majority of winter failures.

1. Replace the filter

A clogged filter forces your furnace or heat pump to work harder, raises your bill and can cause overheating. Change it before the season, then every 1 to 3 months depending on use.

2. Clear the outdoor unit

For a heat pump, keep the outdoor unit free of leaves, snow and ice, with at least 45 cm of clearance. Never fit a sealed cover — the unit needs airflow.

3. Book professional maintenance

A technician checks refrigerant, electrical connections, ignition, the flame sensor and airflow — the most common failure points. It is also the moment to catch a tired part before it quits.

4. Test before the deep cold

Run the heat once in October. A strange noise, smell or uneven warmth is far easier to fix in mild weather than mid-storm.

A Comfort maintenance plan automates all of this. Prefer to leave it to the pros? Request a free quote.