A HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE TO PREPPING YOUR FURNACE FOR WINTER
Before the cold winter season sets in, it’s vital to properly prepare your home for seasonal changes. While pulling out your snow shovels and adding more blankets to your couch are helpful, one thing you never want to forget to prep is your heating system. Below, we’ll discuss the key steps every homeowner must take to have a well-functioning, efficient furnace by the time winter blows in.
ORDER FURNACE FUEL
If your furnace relies on heating oil or propane to create heat, it’s time to order fuel. You want to ensure your tank is full and ready to go when the temperatures outside drop. If your furnace relies on natural gas or electricity, you can skip this step. Those who need fuel will benefit by setting up an automatic fuel-delivery service to never run out of fuel during the worst of the winter weather.

SCHEDULE PROFESSIONAL MAINTENANCE
One task you certainly don’t want to forget is scheduling regular, professional heating maintenance service appointments before winter hits. This is typically necessary to maintain the warranty coverage on your unit so that you’re not stuck paying out of pocket for future repairs. It’s also necessary for detecting problems with your system to get them fixed before it’s freezing outside. This will greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a furnace malfunction and give you peace of mind that your heater is operating efficiently.
REPLACE HVAC FILTER
Before you start using your furnace, it’s best to replace your HVAC filter. If you or another member of your household suffers from asthma or another respiratory condition, you may want to consider selecting a filter with a MERV rating between 11 and 13. These filters are on the high end of the residential HVAC spectrum but will filter out most airborne allergens.
PROGRAM YOUR THERMOSTAT
Your thermostat is something you don’t want to forget about, as it can be key to wintertime energy savings. If you don’t yet have a smart thermostat, it’s time to upgrade. These thermostats give you the convenience of being programmable, with the added benefits of specialized technology that can further optimize your energy savings. Ensure you switch your thermostat to heating, and make sure your smart device is adequately connected.
CHIMNEY CLEANING
If your furnace burns fuel to create heat, it naturally gets vented to the outdoors to get rid of toxic exhaust fumes. Over time, soot can build up inside this ventilation system and restrict airflow. To prevent this, it’s best to invest in an annual chimney-cleaning service for your system.
TEST SAFETY EQUIPMENT
If you have a natural gas, propane or oil furnace, it will produce toxic carbon monoxide. If this accumulates inside your home, it can be extremely dangerous to your health and even cause death in severe cases. Having carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in good working order are an absolute must. It’s best to test your detectors regularly and put in fresh batteries as needed. Additionally, check the expiration of your fire extinguisher to ensure it’s still operational.
INSPECT YOUR VENTS
As we get ready to transition to winter, now is the perfect time to inspect the air vents throughout your home. Ensure each vent is completely open and free from any obstructions, like furniture, that could otherwise restrict airflow in or out of the vent.
Additionally, it’s best to check your attic vents to ensure they’re fully open. Contrary to popular belief, you never want to shut your attic vents. They need to remain open during the winter to allow your attic to be at the same temperature as the outside air. It’s not your attic vents that keep your home warm; it’s the insulation that keeps the heat your furnace produces in your home.
CONSIDER DUCT CLEANING
Your ductwork plays a big role in the efficiency of your furnace. If it’s full of debris, less hot air will reach the rooms in your home. If you have severe allergies or asthma, more frequent cleanings would possibly reduce your symptoms.
EXCEPTIONAL FURNACE MAINTENANCE SERVICE
AAA Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning offers exceptional furnace services for the Huntingdon Valley, PA, area. In addition to maintenance, we can also assist with all your furnace installation, repair and replacement needs. Just call us today to book your service appointment with one of our knowledgeable HVAC technicians.

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