Get Ready for Fall and Winter: Preparing Your Furnace for the Cold Season

As the crisp air of fall settles in and winter approaches, it’s the perfect time to ensure your furnace is ready to keep your home warm and comfortable. Regular furnace maintenance can save you money on energy bills, avoid unexpected breakdowns, and ensure a cozy home all season long. Here’s a handy guide from Able Air Conditioning & Heating on how to prepare your furnace for the colder months.

1. Schedule a Professional Furnace Inspection

The first and most important step in preparing your furnace for the fall and winter is scheduling a professional inspection. A certified HVAC technician will thoroughly inspect and tune up your furnace, checking key components like:

Heat exchanger: Inspecting for cracks or damage.
Blower motor: Ensuring it’s clean and running efficiently.
Ignition system: Verifying that it’s functioning properly.

An annual furnace inspection can catch minor issues before they turn into costly repairs or, worse, leave you without heat during a cold snap.

2. Replace or Clean the Furnace Filter

A dirty or clogged furnace filter can reduce airflow, making your furnace work harder and use more energy. During the colder months, your furnace is likely to run more frequently, so a clean filter is essential for maintaining efficiency and good air quality.

For disposable filters: Replace them every 1-3 months, depending on usage.
For reusable filters: Make sure to clean them regularly.

Not only does this help your furnace run smoothly, but it also keeps allergens and dust from circulating in your home.

3. Test Your Thermostat

Before the cold weather hits, test your thermostat to ensure it’s working properly. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, now is the time to update the settings to match your fall and winter schedule. Consider setting lower temperatures while you’re asleep or away from home to save on energy costs.

If your thermostat isn’t responding or seems to be inaccurate, it may need new batteries or recalibration. If necessary, upgrading to a newer model can improve your home’s energy efficiency.

4. Check for Air Leaks and Insulate

Air leaks around doors, windows, or ductwork can make your furnace work overtime to keep your home warm. Inspect your home for drafts, and use caulking or weatherstripping to seal any gaps. Additionally, insulating your ductwork, especially in unheated areas like the attic or basement, can improve your system’s efficiency and help reduce heat loss.

5. Clear the Area Around Your Furnace

It’s easy for storage items, boxes, or debris to accumulate around your furnace, especially if it’s located in a basement or utility room. Ensure there’s a clear area of at least three feet around the unit to allow for proper airflow and prevent fire hazards.

Keeping the area around your furnace clean and clear also makes it easier for a technician to access the system for maintenance.

6. Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Furnaces that burn fuel can produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be dangerous if not properly vented. As part of your fall furnace preparation, test your carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working and replace the batteries if needed. It’s also wise to install detectors on every level of your home, particularly near sleeping areas.

7. Listen for Unusual Noises

Once you turn on your furnace for the season, listen for any strange noises like banging, rattling, or screeching. These can indicate issues with the blower motor, belts, or other components. If you notice anything unusual, it’s best to call a professional to assess the problem before it worsens.

8. Consider an Upgrade if Necessary

If your furnace is more than 15-20 years old or has been requiring frequent repairs, it may be time to consider a replacement. Newer models are far more energy-efficient and can save you money in the long run through reduced energy costs. Able Air Conditioning & Heating can help you determine whether it’s time to upgrade and guide you through the process of selecting and installing a new furnace.

Stay Warm All Season with Able Air

Preparing your furnace for fall and winter is essential for maintaining a warm, energy-efficient home. If you need assistance with furnace maintenance, repairs, or installation, Able Air Conditioning & Heating is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your annual furnace tune-up and ensure your system is ready for the season ahead.

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   Able Air Conditioning & Heating
   1682 Google reviews 
  LEAVE US A REVIEW! 
 
 
       
   Nicholas M 
 1 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Phil was great! Arrived on time and got the job done quick
  
 
 
      
   Libby M 
 1 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Phil went above and beyond with fixing our AC but also discovering a gas leak. Very friendly guy too!
  
 
 
      
   Marjorie M 
 1 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Martin and Steve did an excellent job with our Goodman furnace installation. Very tidy work and they finished in excellent time. Would recommend this company
  
 
 
      
   Deka ' 
 2 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  At last, a company whose slogan is not an elaborate work of fiction.

Our furnace's condensate pump had given up the ghost, presumably deciding that employment in the Canadian winter was no longer worth the effort. Phil arrived promptly, was courteous and knowledgeable, and fixed the problem with impressive efficiency. No theatrical sighing, no mysterious technical jargon designed to frighten the homeowner into bankruptcy, and no invoice comparible with the national debt of the United States of America.

Better still, Phil inspected the entire HVAC setup, measured the emissions, and offered sensible recommendations without attempting to sell me half the contents of a hardware store. Refreshingly honest, thoroughly professional, and blessedly free of bull. One suspects the moose on the logo personally vets the staff.

Even Baldrick could probably understand this level of service, although I wouldn't trust him to measure emissions without accidentally testing the exhaust from his own trousers.

Five stars. Phil knows his business, ABLE delivers on its promise, and the only bull in sight is the sort that gets trampled by a moose. Highly recommended!
  
 
 
      
   Lety S 
 5 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Phil did an awesome work today, thanks!!
  
 
 
      
   Joel W 
 5 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Great experience. Friendly, professional, punctual, respectful. Phil is an excellent tech.
  
 
 
      
   Sachin D 
 5 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Able Air did a great job in getting my Lennox HX warranty approved, get the part delivered quickly and do the replacement of HX and the testing very quickly. I should say all within a week. Chris from their team was great at explanation and processing the warranty whereas Phil the HVAC tech who came to do the actual job also did a great job and explained me everything. Our HX is all new and the system just got its life extended rather than swapping to a new furnace. Definitely great team and was great to work with :)
  
 
 
      
   Archit S 
 5 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Phil G did a great job cleaning our heater and AC. He also noticed that the outside pipe for our furnace wasn’t sealed properly and offered to fix it. Really happy with the service and appreciate him going the extra mile. Will definitely use Able HVAC again!
  
 
 
      
   Nilesh D 
 6 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Great maintenance service done by Phil
  
 
 
      
   Hollie S 
 6 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  This is the best company to work with, from a simple service call after hours to discovering I needed a new furnace, to having a consultation about all the products that would work and why they are the best for my house, to setting up and asking questions to the wonderful ladies in the office, to a clean and friendly install, Able Air and Heating is the place to go!! Shawn and Jamie did an amazing job installing and showing me everything and helped to set up my new thermostat as well. I couldn’t be more happier with spending my money here, especially to a local company!!! Thank you all!!!!
  
 
 
 
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