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January HVAC Checklist - Keep Your Systems Running Smoothly

January is often the coldest and most demanding month for HVAC systems in Ontario.
With heating systems running almost nonstop, this is when small issues can turn into costly breakdowns if left unchecked.
A simple January HVAC checklist can help homeowners maintain comfort, improve efficiency, and avoid unexpected repairs during the heart of winter.
Here’s what every homeowner should focus on in January to keep their HVAC system operating reliably.
Replace or Clean Your Air Filter
Your HVAC system works harder in winter, and dirty air filters restrict airflow, forcing the system to use more energy.
In January, homeowners should:
Check filters monthly
Replace disposable filters or clean reusable ones
Use the correct filter size and rating recommended for your system
Clean filters improve airflow, efficiency, and indoor air quality.
Check Thermostat Settings
Cold weather often leads homeowners to constantly adjust thermostat settings, which can increase energy usage.
Best practices include:
Keeping a consistent temperature
Avoiding frequent manual changes
Using programmable or smart thermostat schedules
Stable settings help your HVAC system run efficiently while maintaining comfort.
Inspect Vents and Registers
Blocked or closed vents reduce airflow and strain your heating system.
In January:
Ensure all vents are open and unobstructed
Move furniture, rugs, or curtains away from registers
Check for weak airflow that could signal a problem
Balanced airflow helps maintain even temperatures throughout your home.
Listen for Unusual Noises
January is the time to pay attention to how your system sounds.
New or unusual noises can indicate developing issues.
Watch for:
Rattling or buzzing sounds
Grinding or squealing noises
Loud cycling or short run times
Catching problems early can prevent mid-winter breakdowns.
Monitor Indoor Humidity Levels
Winter heating can dry out indoor air, leading to discomfort and potential health issues.
In January:
Monitor humidity levels
Consider using a humidifier if air feels dry
Watch for excess dryness or static buildup
Balanced humidity improves comfort and protects wood furniture and flooring.
Clear Snow and Ice from Outdoor Units
If your home uses a heat pump, the outdoor unit must stay clear of snow and ice.
Homeowners should:
Gently remove snow buildup after storms
Keep at least two feet of clearance around the unit
Avoid chipping ice with sharp tools
Proper airflow ensures efficient winter operation.
Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors
For homes with fuel-burning appliances, January is a critical time to confirm safety systems are working.
Be sure to:
Test carbon monoxide detectors
Replace batteries if needed
Ensure detectors are installed on every level of the home
This step is essential for winter safety.
Schedule Mid-Winter HVAC Maintenance
January is a good time to schedule a professional system check—especially if maintenance was missed earlier in the season.
A professional inspection can:
Identify wear or airflow issues
Improve system efficiency
Reduce the risk of emergency repairs
Extend equipment lifespan Stay Comfortable and Protected This January
A little attention goes a long way during Ontario’s coldest month.
Following this January HVAC checklist helps ensure your system runs efficiently, keeps your home warm, and avoids unexpected disruptions.
For homeowners in the Durham Region and Toronto, Twintech Heating & Cooling offers professional HVAC inspections, maintenance, and repairs to keep your system performing reliably all winter long.
Fantastic team. Completed the job as per the specifications and in under 3 hours. Highly recommended Twintech.
During the summer, I previously hired TwinTech to replace my air conditioner when it failed. They did an excellent job so when I decided to proactively replace the furnace I contacted them. The furnace I had was 22 years old and showed signs of internal leakage. It still worked but rather than wait to have it fail in cold weather, I decided to purchase a higher efficiency model before it failed and take advantage of energy efficiency rebates. TwinTech offered very useful advice on the make and model of furnace to choose including high efficiency and variable speed motor. The price was reasonable, TwinTech arrived at the allotted time, installed the new furnace (including some re-routing of exhaust lines since the existing ones were too close to other vents), removed the old furnace, tested the installation and cleaned everything up. Overall, it was a good experience, they did a great job and the new furnace is working well.
Greg came over at 9:30pm to rescue my daughter and I from a horrible experience with Enercare that evening. He was professional. Kind. And got us what we needed quickly and at an afford price. I would 100% recommend calling on Greg and his team for any of your heating and cooling needs in the future!!
Installed a great hot water heater when our old one failed. When my furnace died during cold weather they showed up quickly and my house was warm before my wife got home. :)
I dont usually right reviews but when you receive service like this I felt it was a must. Honest and fair. I Have 4 children and on Xmas eve my furnace stopped working and a gentleman came out and got me up and running so at least we would have heat for the holidays. As promised he would replace my furnace early in the new year. The job was completed on time, great price for quality furnace and extremely clean and professional job. Would have never known anyone was in the house. Not a spec of dust or mess from lugging out an old rusty furnace. If you have any ac or heating concerns twintech is your only option. I was royally impressed with and Im sure you will be too.
Class Act ! These guys were professional right from the quote stage through to installation. They know their stuff and took their time to help educate me. They take pride in their work and it shows. I would recommend TwinTech Heating and Cooling to anyone. Keep up the great work !!!
This Company is terrific. No high pressure sales and they deliver exactly what they promise to deliver. The new furnace is great and we now get consistent temperatures throughout the house. The installers were great and very efficient and completed the work on schedule on the promised day. Everyone representing this company was very aware of their presence in our house and worked diligently to keep our home as uninterrupted and as clean as was humanly possible. We did not need to go around the house to clean up after they left, what a nice surprise. We have had follow up by the company to ensure everything is to our satisfaction. How unusual in today's environment. The impression left by Twintech is that they care about us and our home. This is so refreshing in today's high tech world. Out thanks go out to Dave in sales and G, G, and P (the installers).
They were Timely and professional. They were very Knowledgeable with answering all of my questions.
The entire process was prompt and professional, from the initial quote to the installation of the new furnace. The team installed the new furnace and removed the old one in approx. 4 hrs. The guys were very knowledgeable and gave me lots of information. I have used Twintech before for a new A/C installation and new I was in good hands.
The overall experience dealing with this company was great from start to finish when getting a new furnace and ac this year. Everything was clearly explained to us during our consultation with Dave and there were no surprises with added costs. The work was done as expected and their response time to inquiries were very timely generally within a few hours or less. They are all very professional and was a pleasure to do business with them. Highly recommend to anyone looking for honest quality professional service.
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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.
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!
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.
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!
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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