5 Winter Safety Tips for Your Service Van

Written by Industrial Stores Staff 11/30/22

Of all the seasons, winter requires the most preparation and care in order for your HVAC technicians to remain safe.

As they work out in the field, they’ll rely on your service van for transportation and the storage of all the HVAC service tools they need.

An organized, well-set service van will provide easy access to tools and keep your technicians productive. But what matters most is that they make it to the job site safely.

In the winter, HVAC technicians experience weather-related challenges on the road that lower their productivity and compromise their safety.

These include: 

• Navigating through ice and snow
• Driving on slippery slopes
• Freezing and clogging of fuel filters
• Poor visibility due to car window condensation

Drivers need to use extra caution during the winter months, and the fleet maintainers must ensure that every vehicle is prepared to handle slippery roads and cold temperatures.

It’s important to keep these five winter safety tips in mind to ensure you stay safe on the road:

1 - Keep the Service Van in Excellent Driving Condition

One way to stay safe on the road during winter is to ensure that your service van is in its best driving condition.

To keep the van in good technical repair, you’ll need to give it a complete check, paying close attention to the following areas: 

• Electrical system: This includes the battery, lights, and ignition. Recharge or replace your battery if it’s weak, inspect all the lights to ensure they’re functioning properly, and replace any destroyed ignition wires.
• Fuel: Fill up the van’s fuel tank before you leave for any job. Don’t let the fuel level get too low, as this may cause the fuel line to freeze up.
• Exhaust system: Ensure it’s properly sealed to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep the system free of snow and ice since a blocked pipe will force carbon monoxide back into the van’s interior.
• Windshield wipers: They must effectively wipe away rain and snow. Replace them if they’re old or worn out.
• Heating and cooling systems: Ensure the front and back defrosters are working efficiently and that there are no leaks in the hoses or radiator.
• Brakes: Thoroughly inspect the brakes to ensure they’re working effectively. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning states that it can take up to ten times longer to stop a vehicle on snowy or icy roads than it would in normal driving conditions.

2 - Find the Right Tires for Your Service Van

The traction between your tires and the road determines how well your vehicle rides, starts, and stops, all of which are crucial when the roads are slippery.

Winter tires are made of a softer rubber compound than summer and all-season tires and have several thin cuts in the tread, giving them a stronger and better grip.

Check out some other key differences between winter tires and all-season tires in the table below.

Also, remember to keep these points in mind when selecting your new tires: 

• Use four winter tires of the same type, speed rating, load index, and size for control, stability, and better handling.
• Use all-season tires only in areas that receive light snowfall.
• Check the wheel alignment and tire balance, and make adjustments if necessary.
• Regularly check the tire pressure and restore it to the levels recommended by the manufacturer. Tire pressures will drop with the temperature.
• Check the tires’ wear, and replace those that no longer provide the right traction.

3 - Stock up the Service Van Before Heading Out

No matter the time of year, you always want to have your HVAC service tools with you.

But apart from the HVAC tools needed for the job, every service van should also have emergency supplies on hand to keep you safe should you find yourself stuck or stranded.

Before heading out, ensure that the van is stocked with the following items: 

• A scraper to clear ice and snow from the van’s front and rear windshield
• A shovel and a bag of sand or salt to dig out snow and increase traction
• Jumper cables to start the van 
• A flashlight for better visibility at night and to signal for help
• A warm blanket, gloves, and extra clothing to keep you warm in case the van breaks down
• Water and snacks in case you’re stranded or in heavy traffic
• A radio to stay informed of weather updates and emergency announcements
• High-visibility gear and traffic cones in case you’re stopped and need to exit the van 
• Toiletries to help you stay comfortable when you’re snowed in

Even with these items in the van, HVAC technicians should dress appropriately to keep warm, safe, and healthy:

• Layer clothes starting from the lightest. The last layer should be wind-resistant and waterproof to keep you dry and warm.
• Polarized sunglasses or goggles are ideal for protecting your eyes from snow blindness.
• Protect your toes, ears, fingers, and nose from frostbite by wearing gloves or mittens, socks, gaiters, a hat, sunglasses, and a scarf.
• Wear boots with good traction and an excellent cold rating to keep your feet warm and dry.

4 - Keep the Service Van Well Ventilated

Keeping your service van well ventilated helps to prevent window condensation, one of the greatest barriers to safety during the winter months.

Condensation occurs when the temperature and moisture levels inside your van are different from those outside. The warm air inside the van condenses on the cold windows, causing a fog—that greatly affects visibility—to form.

To keep your service van well-ventilated: 

• Open the window slightly: Cracking the windows will help keep them clear. Fresh air is able to enter the vehicle, and moist air is able to escape.
• Keep the A/C on: This removes moisture from the air, which would otherwise condense on the glass and prevent you from seeing outside.
• Use the lower air vents: This will cause the hot air already in the van to rise upwards and escape through the open windows.

Learn More: 4 Simple Ways to Reduce Winter Window Condensation

5 - Warm Up Your Service Van Before Leaving

Before setting out on the road, ensure you have clear visibility through all of the van’s windows.

Pull the van into an open space and let it warm up and de-ice or de-mist for 10–15 minutes. 

Driving your service van before letting it de-mist will result in driving with limited vision, which can easily lead to accidents.

If any ice or snow remain on the vehicle after the stipulated time, use a scraper to remove it before driving.

Stay Safe and Productive With a Functional and Well-Equipped Service Van

A fully equipped service van that’s winter-ready will help you create trust with your clients. No customer wants to experience delays or have to reschedule an appointment because your van broke down or got stuck in the snow.

At Industrial Stores, we understand how important exceptional customer service is to any reputable business. To ensure your service van is stocked and ready for the road, we offer HVAC/R service tools at affordable prices, available in the shortest amount of time.

"... I ordered (6) RIBs on Tuesday, and they came on Wednesday! Unheard of without paying for overnight shipping! … Thank you …"
— Janet Wartschow

Contact us today for high-quality HVAC equipment and components that your service van needs, or create your profile to enjoy our personalized fast and efficient services.

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