The holidays are here, which means family gatherings, festive lights, and plenty of time spent indoors. While you’re baking cookies, decorating the tree, and hosting loved ones, don’t forget one of the most important ingredients for a comfortable season: your HVAC system.
Preparing your HVAC for winter doesn’t have to be stressful or even complicated. At CARJON, we’ve helped Rhode Island homeowners stay warm since 1989, and we’re here with simple, reliable HVAC tips for winter, including helpful guidance for homeowners using mini splits and heat pumps in cold weather.
Whether you heat your home with a furnace, boiler, or ductless mini split heat pump, these steps will help you stay warm and save energy this season.
1. Check Your Thermostat First
Before assuming something major is wrong with your heat, start with the simplest fix: your thermostat. A surprising number of “no heat” calls turn out to be thermostat-related issues, especially early in the winter season.
Check the following:
Replace thermostat batteries
Gently remove dust from controls and sensors
Confirm it’s set to HEAT, not COOL or FAN
Verify your set temperature is correct, and above the current temperature
Ensure it hasn’t shifted into Vacation or Eco mode
This quick step can save you from unnecessary worry, added expense, and often restores heat instantly.
2. Install a Smart Thermostat for Better Winter Efficiency
If you’re looking for ways to reduce heating costs, upgrading to a smart thermostat is one of our top HVAC tips for winter. Smart thermostats automatically adjust based on your schedule, helping maintain the best HVAC settings for winter without wasting energy.
Benefits include:
Lower heating bills
Better temperature consistency
Remote control from a smartphone
Helpful insights on energy use
They’re especially effective when paired with mini splits and heat pumps, which benefit from steady, consistent run times.
3. Replace Air Filters & Clean Vents
Clogged filters and dusty vents make it harder for warm air to move through your home. Whether you use a furnace or a mini split, airflow matters. Restricted airflow makes your system work harder and can make rooms feel colder.
To boost performance:
Replace dirty air filters
Dust and wipe down vent covers
Clean mini split air filters and indoor heads every 4–6 weeks
Make sure nothing is blocking vents, radiators, or indoor mini split units
These simple steps improve indoor air quality and help keep your system running efficiently during the coldest months.
4. Use Your Mini Split the Right Way in Winter
More Rhode Island homeowners than ever rely on ductless systems, so it’s important to know how to use a mini split in winter for best performance.
Mini Split Tips for Winter:
Set it and forget it.
Heat pumps work best at a constant temperature rather than frequent adjustments.
Use HEAT mode, not AUTO. AUTO can cycle unexpectedly and reduce comfort in cold weather.Keep outdoor units clear.
Remove snow buildup and ice around the outdoor condenser, ensuring at least 2–3 feet of clearance.
Don’t worry about defrost mode.
On cold days, your heat pump will occasionally enter a brief defrost cycle, but that’s normal.
Modern cold-climate mini splits work efficiently even in freezing temperatures, making them one of the best winter heating solutions for New England homes. If you’ve wondered how to run a heat pump in cold weather, these simple habits will make a noticeable difference.
5. Improve Indoor Air Quality with an Air Purifier
Holiday gatherings often mean more people indoors, and more allergens, pet dander, and germs circulating through your home. If your family always seems to get sick around the holidays, an air purifier is a great addition to your HVAC system.
Installing an in-duct air purifier, such as the iWave, helps:
Reduce airborne viruses and bacteria
Capture allergens
Improve overall respiratory health
Keep indoor air cleaner during heating season
This is especially useful in tightly sealed, energy-efficient homes that recirculate winter air.
6. Schedule Your Heating Maintenance Early
Our most important HVAC tip for winter is staying on top of your annual heating maintenance. A tune-up ensures your furnace, boiler, heat pump, or mini split is ready for heavy winter use, and helps prevent costly emergency breakdowns during holiday gatherings.
Annual maintenance helps:
Avoid no-heat emergencies
Lower energy bills
Improve airflow & performance
Extend system lifespan
Maintain manufacturer warranties
CARJON offers maintenance agreements that make winter HVAC care easy and affordable, with plans for every budget. We service all heating systems, including furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and mini splits.
Stay Warm This Holiday Season With CARJON
Whether you need help preparing your mini split for winter, troubleshooting heating issues, or scheduling seasonal maintenance, CARJON is here to keep your Rhode Island home warm, safe, and comfortable.
