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Your Pre-Winter Heat Pump Checklist
Posted On: November 22, 2025
As temperatures begin to fall in the Durham Region and Toronto, now is the perfect time to make sure your heat pump is ready for the demands of winter.
A little preparation before the cold arrives can improve efficiency, prevent surprises, and keep your home consistently comfortable all season long.
Here’s a practical, easy-to-follow pre-winter heat pump checklist to help you get the most from your system.
1.
Inspect and Clean the Outdoor Unit
Before snow and ice become a daily challenge, check the outdoor heat pump unit.
Make sure it’s clear from anything that could block airflow.
Look for and remove:
Leaves and twigs
Overgrown plants
Dirt or debris around the base
A clear, open area helps the unit operate efficiently throughout winter.
2.
Replace or Clean Air Filters
Your heat pump’s air filter plays a major role in both performance and indoor air quality.
Dirty filters restrict airflow and force the system to work harder.
Check the filter now, and plan to replace or clean it every 4–6 weeks during winter.
3.
Ensure Vents and Indoor Units Are Unblocked
Whether you have a ducted heat pump or ductless mini-splits, make sure nothing is blocking airflow indoors.
Furniture, curtains, or decor placed too close to vents or wall units can reduce efficiency and create uneven heating.
Even a few inches of clearance can make a noticeable difference.
4.
Double-Check Thermostat Settings
Before winter starts, ensure your thermostat is set up properly for cold weather.
Use HEAT mode, and avoid the “AUTO” temperature mode if possible, as it can sometimes cause the system to switch unexpectedly.
If you have a programmable thermostat, adjusting schedules now can save you money later.
5.
Check Drainage and Condensate Lines
During operation, heat pumps create condensation.
Make sure the condensate line is clear and draining properly.
A quick inspection now helps prevent leaks or moisture issues once the system is running more frequently.
6.
Test the System Before Freezing Temperatures Hit
Turn on your heat pump before the first true cold spell.
This gives you time to notice anything unusual, such as strange noises, weak airflow, or temperature irregularities.
If anything feels off, it’s better to fix it now than during a January cold snap.
7.
Clean the Indoor Coil (or Have It Professionally Cleaned)
Dust buildup on the indoor coil can affect performance and air quality.
Some light dust can be wiped from accessible areas, but deeper cleaning should be handled by a technician to avoid damaging delicate components.
A clean coil improves efficiency and helps the system heat more evenly.
8.
Inspect the Outdoor Unit for Leveling and Stability
Heat pumps work best when the outdoor unit sits level on its pad.
Over time, soil can shift, causing the unit to tilt.
A slight adjustment now can protect the compressor and improve performance during winter’s demanding conditions.
9.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Even with great at-home care, nothing replaces a professional tune-up.
A technician will inspect electrical components, test operation, clean internal parts, and ensure everything is winter-ready.
At Twintech Heating & Cooling, we prepare heat pumps across Durham Region and Toronto so homeowners stay comfortable regardless of how cold it gets.
Stay Comfortable, Efficient, and Winter-Ready
A few quick checks now can help prevent mid-winter breakdowns and keep your heat pump running efficiently all season.
If you’d like help preparing your system or want a full winter tune-up, Twintech Heating & Cooling is here to keep your home warm and worry-free.
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See What Our Customers Are Saying:
May 16, 2021
Appreciated a quick response to my request. Dave and Greg were very professional and made the experience seamless.
Feb 1, 2021
Very professional through the entire process. Installation and removel was done on a sloppy winter day, they put down runners on the floors and stairs and when they left, there wasn;t any sign of someone being in our house. Furnace works great as promised.
Feb 1, 2021
Dave was very pleasant to deal with and Twintech responded quickly when our furnace needed to be replaced ASAP. Installation was done on time and the crew were neat and tidy. We now have a great furnace that suits the needs of our family.
Feb 1, 2021
When your furnace kicks in over the holidays and you're not sure where to turn.. I'm so thankful that this company returned my phone call. I appreciated their transparency and clarity which allowed me to make an informed decision. With various quotes thrown at you, it can be difficult to make the right decision and trust the solutions offered by different companies. TwinTech spoke the truth and delivered on their word. Neat, timely and clean service; the peace of mind I needed during a very cold holiday season. I highly recommend them!
Feb 1, 2021
Pulling a old unit out and installing a modern heating system! Required drilling holes in the wall for the newer pipes. We went from 70% (I am willing to bet it was far less due to lack of maintenance and just old) to 96% newer . It now feels warmer and more pressure and we use to run extra heaters and feel as though they are not necessary!
Feb 1, 2021
I received three quotes before deciding to choose Twintech. Dave's prices was much more reasonable than the competitors. I most appreciated their honest recommendations. Others tried to oversell their products and services. Thank you Dave!
Feb 1, 2021
They had the best price and did a great job on the installation. Recommend them to anyone.
Feb 1, 2021
It was a amazing and professional high quality job
Friendly and very helpful representatives
Thank you for understanding my concern
And explain very well
Overall we pleased with your service
Tanks
May 15, 2020
My 19 year old furnace stopped working when the cold weather hit in November, and I was left without heat. I interviewed several companies and found TWINTECH HEATING and COOLING to be very knowledgeable, quick to respond to my inquiries and very competitively priced.
Dave provided all of the information and pricing ahead of time and set up the appointment for the installation. Greg and Mitch arrived on time to do the installation and worked quickly and efficiently to complete the job.
After the completion of the installation, Dave followed up to ensure that everything was working well and that I didn't have any concerns.
Overall, this was a low-stress and flawless experience from start to finish. I would highly recommend TWINTECH HEATING and COOLING to anyone that requires a new furnace.
May 14, 2020
Our 20 year old furnace broke down during the first cold weekend this past November and our usual HVAC company never returned our phone call. Their loss, missing out on a sale since we didn't want to spend much fixing an old furnace and our 40 year old air conditioner was also long overdue for replacement. We proceeded in obtaining three different quotes for furnace and air conditioner replacement, and proceeded with the one we received from Twintech.
Dave was friendly, knowledgable and accommodating to our schedule and provided with us with a price that fell in the middle of the three quotes that we had. We felt that the Amana furnace and air conditioner he quoted us on were the best products and value offered to us and felt most comfortable with the professionalism and reputation of Twintech.
Greg, Grant and Mitch were at our house for installation the day after we decided to proceed. The guys were friendly and informative, the job was completed efficiently and workmanship appears excellent. Our house is certainly much more comfortable with the new two-stage variable speed Amana furnace compared to the old clunker! And, we're looking forward to enjoying the new air conditioner once summer rolls around again. Thanks Twintech!
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