Cold weather is coming. Is your heating system ready? A comfortable indoor environment is essential for worker health and productivity. Follow these measures to ensure peak heating system performance and workplace comfort regardless of the weather.

Heating system maintenance

Ensure optimal system performance and improve heating system efficiency with the following maintenance strategies.

• Get an inspection. Have your system cleaned and inspected by a qualified technician at the beginning of each heating season.
• Change filters. Clean filters help improve system efficiency and maintain good indoor air quality. Change filters monthly or according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
• Seal leaks. Leaky ductwork reduces occupant comfort. Seal holes or cracks with mastic tape.
• Insulate ducts. Keep heat from escaping and prevent large energy losses with duct insulation.
• Clean ductwork and registers. Regular cleaning improves occupant comfort and indoor air quality.
• Ensure proper heat distribution. Keep areas around registers unobstructed by furniture or equipment.

Around your facility

Efforts to optimize heating system efficiency shouldn't stop at your heating system. Take measures throughout your facility to minimize heat loss, increase building comfort and reduce overall energy costs.

• Weatherize windows and doors by filling cracks and placing weatherstripping around gaps where climate-controlled air can escape.
• Tune building controls such as sensors, dampers and thermostats to match your current operating schedule and the change of season.
• Add insulation to walls and ceilings. Poor insulation will reduce heating system performance and occupant comfort.

Upgrade for savings

If your heating system is older or needs repair, consider upgrading to an electric air source or geothermal heat pump system. Heat pumps provide high-efficiency heating and cooling because they move heat inside or outside your building. Conventional combustion heating systems, by contrast, must create heat, limiting their efficiency. Heat pumps can be up to 300% more efficient, saving energy and money.

Additional benefits of heat pumps include:

• Quieter operation. Heat pumps run quieter than conventional HVAC systems, creating a more peaceful work environment.
• Less maintenance. Heat pumps have fewer moving parts than fossil-fueled heating systems, so they require less maintenance and overall operating costs.
• No onsite emissions. Unlike combustion heat systems, electric heat pumps produce no onsite emissions, helping to make your workplace healthier and safer.

With careful maintenance and targeted upgrades, you can ensure optimal heat system performance and a healthier and more productive workplace this winter and all year long.