$49 / month O.A.C Including Install
$49 / month O.A.C Including Install

Your Pre-Winter Heat Pump Checklist

24 / 7 Emergency Service Available. Call Us Now: 1.844.894.6832


[BACK]
Your Pre-Winter Heat Pump Checklist

Posted On: November 22, 2025

Your Pre-Winter Heat Pump Checklist

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.



[BACK]

See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by DG Sellers on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Professionally done and took care to cover all entry floors to the house for the installers to remove the old furnace and install a new furnace.
I also made recommendations of the tankless water heater that we had installed and items to address. We did not know they also installed tankless water heaters.

by Bill, Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Price was not the cheapest nor the most expensive of my quotes. It's the quality of the installation that makes for a good AC system. The twins' knowledge & professionalism was evident in the small details:
Very clean work. Greg made sure that the refrigerant level & temperature were correct. They reinstall the insulation & vapor barrier around the wall. The outside electrical cords were secured to the wall. Proud to support this local company. Thank you.

by Taz on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Great team of guys came to do the work. Very professional. Arrived on time worked very efficiently and were very clean. They answered any questions we had without hesitation. The air conditioner works great and is so quiet. I highly recommend them and they don't try to up-sell anything right from the start.

by Jordan on Twintech Heating and Cooling

The service was prompt, professional and very courteous. Competitive price. Would highly recommend this company.

by David on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Excellent workmanship, and quick response. Would recommend Twintech to anyone.

by Todd Whyte on Twintech Heating and Cooling

My existing 15-yr old A/C went down on me during the first major heatwave of the season. Researched my options, as well as a few different installers, and decided on Twintech.

They gave me confidence right from the beginning. Extremely knowledgeable. Their communication was excellent - always responded to questions quickly. Given we were in a heatwave, they were fully booked. However, within days they were able to fit me in due to a cancellation. Upon learning that the Amana unit I was getting installed was on backorder, TwinTech went to bat for me with the manufacturer and was able to get me the next model up within a day, for the same price - Amazing!

As far as the installation was concerned, I couldn’t be more impressed. These guys were clearly very experienced and did a fantastic job. Very clean, polite, timely & informative. They even thoroughly sealed all the exposed gaps in my ductwork. I’ve had plenty of heating and cooling work done in the past and have never used the same contractor twice because I’ve never been very impressed. However, from now on, I’ll always be contacting Twintech first!

by Jordan Arnott, Courtice on Twintech Heating and Cooling

They were very friendly and took care of everything. The install looks great (and works great), they were very knowledgeable. Installed our a/c efficiently despite the difficult install location both inside and outside and they made it work.

by Lori Ellis on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Phenomenal service, so glad I found these guys a few years back after being "hosed" badly by 3 other companies. I've recommended them to so many, and they all are so thankful.

by Jonathan Rogoza on Twintech Heating and Cooling

This company is fantastic. Dave came out and gave me a very honest and reasonable quote, unlike a quote received from another company. I had a bunch of questions that were easily answered and when I had questions regarding heating/cooling a previously unheated room above the Garage, Dave arranged for Greg to come out for an assessment of this new space and gave me his recommendation along with his professional thoughts on all of my options.

These guys have been nothing but Professional, honest and helpful along the way. I can't recall the two other guys doing the install, but they were great as well. Good workmanship, everything was cleaned up and everything functions as promised. I could go on and on about my experience, but it's all positive so what more could you want?

Give them a call, see for yourself. If I had to buy another furnace/AC or heat pump, they'd be my first call.

by Private User on Twintech Heating and Cooling

I hired twin tech to convert my townhouse heating from electric to gas and install a furnace and a/c unit. I had talked with many other vendors, and received several quotes, but chose them, and very happy I did. Here are some of the reasons why:
1. They were realistic about the timeline for the work, when they could start and how long it would take. (They said upfront, it was their busy season and would need to get back to me in 3 weeks, which they did):
2. They had a quote with options for me. They were clear about the entertainment of what they would and would not do (they’d build duct work, id need another contractor to box in ductwork). This allowed me to plan as I was my own general contractor for my renovations).
3. They spoke to me in a language I understood, neither too technical nor too simple. They answered all my questions as I had them. Everyone is so lovely to work with, the sales team and the contractors who are worked in my home.
4. It’s been 4 m since the work was complete. They still answer my emails and my furnace is working very well!

I unabashedly recommend! Price, customer care and quality workmanship were all amazing!

Related Links:
heat pump system cost, oshawa heating technician, 5 ton heat pump, whitby air and heating, whitby heating and air, ajax heating technician, heating technician, heating technician, heating and cooling, indoor heat pumps, heating repair company, heat pump technology, emergency heating service, residential heat pump system, oshawa heating and cooling, heat pump hvac system, heating system installation, heating contractors near me whitby, heating contractors near me, heat pump, heating services near me, heating and cooling services, commercial heating and cooling,


See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by Aaron on Twintech Heating and Cooling

We are very happy to recommend this company to everyone. Our furnace broke down on Sunday morning. We phoned them and before noon Grant the owner showed up. He worked on the furnace for about a hour not wanting to give up to fix the problem. The furnace was 17 years old. I was the one talking about replacing it. End result was the next day it was all done. On the Sunday Bob came over with heaters to warm up the house. We decided to replace the water heater at the same time. Thanks Grant for the excellent work. Thumbs up.

by Linda on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Right on time. Explained how to work the HRV in a different way so the house would not be so dry. Changed my whole house water filter for me as well. Friendly, helpful, caring service!

by Robert Rogers on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Very pleased with the professional service that TwinTech Heating and Cooling provided in replacing my furnace. I got several quotes from different service providers. Their price was excellent and they explained the features very well. We are very glad we went with TwinTech and highly recommend their services.

by Robert Mizuno on Twintech Heating and Cooling

We were new homeowners in need of a second opinion. TwinTech Heating & Cooling were Amazing and professional. Very knowledgeable and great service all around. Recommend to anyone looking for honest and reliable services. Treated with respect and care. Thank you Greg, Mitch and Bob!

by Ruth on Twintech Heating and Cooling

TwinTech is an excellent and honest company! I called them for a second opinion after being told by another company that I needed to replace my furnace. Turns out this was not the case at all! I did not need a new furnace. TwinTech did not push to make an unnecessary sale and saved me from a huge expense. Bob and Mitch were extremely professional and above all honest! I definitely recommend TwinTech!

How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home?

  • SUBMITTED BY:
  • TWINTECH HEATING & COOLING
  • - January 29, 2020

After a long day, you and your family want nothing more than to come home to a relaxing and comfortable environment. Whether that means being warm in the winter or cool in the summer! However, the temperature of your home is not the only way to incre

Read More

Hidden Dangers of Dirty Ducts

  • SUBMITTED BY:
  • TWINTECH HEATING & COOLING
  • - July 28, 2021

Dirty ducts hold so much threat to your overall health and safety. Experts strongly suggest that you have your duct system inspected and cleaned to prevent allergens and contaminants from decreasing your home’s indoor air quality.Below, we recount

Read More

5 Ways to Save Energy and Cut Air Conditioning Costs this Summer

  • SUBMITTED BY:
  • TWINTECH HEATING & COOLING
  • - June 5, 2019

Do you find that your AC bills begin to rack up as soon as summer comes around During the hotter months, your air conditioning unit has to work harder to cool down your home, which can lead to expensive energy bills. We’ve come up with 5 tips and

Read More

Why Heat Pumps Work Great in Colder Climates

  • SUBMITTED BY:
  • TWINTECH HEATING & COOLING
  • - October 23, 2025

When most people think of heat pumps, they imagine efficient systems for mild weather, but modern technology has changed that. Today’s cold-climate heat pumps are designed to perform efficiently even when the temperature drops well below fre

Read More