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

Your Pre-Winter Heat Pump Checklist

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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.



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See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by Jacqueline Graham on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Twintech Heating & Cooling installed my furnace in 2022 and in fall of 2023 installed my Panasonic Heat Pump. Greg and Mitch did a great job. Helped me through the rebate process. Super happy with the Heat Pump. Only used my furnace 5 times this winter. Energy bills lower, carbon emissions lower.Thank you Twintech. I recommend highly!

by Bill Grainger on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Just had a new furnace installed by Twintech. I can’t express how great these guys are at what they do. From the sales to installation they were professional all the way. Very reasonable pricing and courteous during the installation and willing to answer any questions I had. Highly recommended !!!

by Colin Vernon on Twintech Heating and Cooling

They've cleaned my furnace a couple of times and mentioned that the hot water tank standards were going to change soon so I decided to change mine out.

There were a few challenges during the process but the installers handled the problems without missing a stride! I now have really hot water again!

by Heidi B on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Highly recommend Twintech Heating company, we got honest and detailed information on what was needed to replace and install a new gas furnace. Bob and Greg made us feel comfortable withe process through their thorough explanation and knowledge of the right furnace for our needs. The professionalism and courteous friendly attitude towards the customer is what we liked the most as they treated us like family. So happy with our decision and new furnace we will be looking into get our rental water heater replaced and installed by Twintech team. We feel better having their knowledge on our side and will only trust them with any further maintenance of furnace.

by Kirushanth Rasiah on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Customer service and knowledge is priority in this industry, and Twintech has it. I've dealt with their team for maintenance and a furnace replacement. They're accommodating and make great recommendations, and came through at a great price over the big guys in the industry. They'll be my next call when I need service or maintenance.

by Leonard Glass on Twintech Heating and Cooling

I decided that the noises and age of the existing furnace which was old and not very efficient to replace it. Gave Greg a call and Grant and Greg got to work on it. Because of supply issues with the current heating type that would be an easier install Greg convinced me to change the location of the system and it would provide me better service for heat and efficiency. I had skeptical but went ahead anyway putting trust in Greg And Grant. Greg, Grant and Mitch came through and in 2 days had completely relocated my heating and A/C system. I can honestly say Greg was right my old house has been warmer and more evenly heated as it ever was. For anyone reading this rather long winded review can take my word for it, Twin Tech can take care of your needs.

by Nicole Alain on Twintech Heating and Cooling

I called Twin Tech when my air conditioning stopped working. Greg came over to diagnose the issue - the same day. He was able to diagnose the issue and resolve it quite quickly. Although it was a quick fix, Greg was very thorough in explaining the issue and provided great advice. Not to mention, I felt very comfortable having Greg in my home - which I consider very important when hiring a service provider. Twin Tech will be my go-to from now on. Thank you!!

by Cibele Ceroni on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Great Team! Furnace broke in the weekend, Bob visited same day and Greg installed new one on Monday. Team was professional, respectful and knowledgeable. Installation went very well, Greg found solutions to challenges, like hiding new conduits in the ceiling. Looks nice and new furnace is working great. Five Stars.

by Jackie Graham on Twintech Heating and Cooling

I used Twintech to install a new furnace for my home. Bob was terrific in explaining the sizing options and why the 2 stage furnace was the best option for me. Greg did a great job installing, clean and on time. Finished work looks great but the best part is how it works. The 2 stage heating is so much more comfortable. I run the fan continuously to keep the indoor air clean. Great investment! Would highly recommendTwintech!

by Anthony Silva on Twintech Heating and Cooling

I’m going to start this by saying I’m a very particular customer. My background is in mathematics and mechanical engineering so I have an eye for detail and a respect for technical knowledge.
Greg had already done an AC inspection and replaced a water heater tank and there was no question in my mind who to deal with replacing my rickety old furnace after it got pooched.
Bob dropped in ahead of time and clearly (and knowledgeably) outlined all technical, price and operational options.
Greg showed up on time, on the agreed date and did a fantastic job. (The OLD furnace was a house of horrors and was installed in a keystone cops sort of way- careless.)
The work Greg did was HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL and FAR MORE FUNCTIONAL than what I had.
I’m also a musician with many instruments so maintaining predictable humidity/temperature is extremely important to me. Greg recognized this as did Bob. You NEVER feel like you’re being brushed off.
In summary, if you’re looking for PROFESSIONAL, QUALITY results by an EXPERIENCED, THOUGHTFUL team
(that also happen to be FRIENDLY and ATTENTIVE ) then you’ve come to the right page!!

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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!

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