Before the First Cold Week: A Few Heating Checks Worth Doing

The heat ran once in October, so it should be fine for winter. We hear that a lot. Sometimes it is fine. Sometimes the first cold stretch is when a dirty filter, weak ignition part, or airflow problem finally makes itself known.

Before your system has to run all day, give it a little attention. These checks will not replace maintenance, but they can help you spot something worth addressing.

Look at the filter, even if you changed it recently.

For a furnace or ducted heat pump, check the accessible air filter and follow the equipment and filter manufacturer's replacement instructions. A filter can load up faster during renovations, with pets, or when the system runs more often. Use the correct size and a filter suitable for your system. Thicker or more restrictive is not automatically better.

Give the air a clear path.

Check that furniture, rugs, and storage boxes are not covering supply registers or return grilles. If an upstairs room always struggles, tell us about it. Airflow and ductwork deserve a look before anyone assumes you need bigger equipment.

Try the heat while you have time to deal with a problem.

Check that the thermostat is set to Heat and a comfortable temperature. Replace its batteries if the model uses them. Pay attention to repeated starting and stopping, a new noise, water around the equipment, or rooms that never reach temperature. Note what happens and when. A short video can be helpful when an intermittent problem disappears before we arrive.

For a heat pump, ask about thermostat settings that suit your controls and backup heat. Large temperature changes can bring on electric auxiliary heat with some setups. Do not change installer settings or force emergency heat to try to make it heat faster.

Keep the outdoor equipment clear.

If you heat with a heat pump, keep leaves and loose debris away from the unit and follow its clearance requirements. Look at accessible outdoor intake and exhaust openings from ground level. Do not put tools into a vent, remove panels, chip ice off a coil, or climb to reach equipment.

Use the maintenance visit to get answers.

Tell us about noise, uneven temperatures, shutdowns, or anything that changed since last winter. We check the equipment and explain what we find. The right next step might be routine care, a repair, or a conversation about replacement. The age on the label alone does not decide that.

Our standard one-time heating maintenance check is $129 per system. If you want ongoing care, compare our maintenance plans. If the heat is already failing, call or text so we can arrange the right type of visit.

If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave the building and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not keep testing the heating equipment.

Let us take a look before the busy week.

We serve Delaware and Chester Counties, the Main Line, and nearby Montgomery County communities. Book a heating maintenance visit, call 610-500-6416, or text us. Online booking is for future appointments. For no heat or an urgent concern, call or text today.

Planning ahead for replacement? Send the equipment label and a few photos, or compare installation options.

Further reading: ENERGY STAR maintenance checklist and ASHRAE winter heating tips.