You have not put a hand to your furnace since last winter. And with the first cold night of the season due any time, you may be concerned it will sputter out on you. What can be done to stave off an emergency come December?

We can put your mind at ease. For decades Cool Breeze Heating & Air Conditioning has been of service to homeowners here in Central Maryland; we are well versed in what is required to put a furnace in order for the coming months. Should you prefer to let a professional handle it and forgo the checklist, (410) 210-4847 is our number.

There is no better time than fall to see to your heating system. The days are still mild and HVAC firms are not as inundated as they will be in the middle of winter, so one can take care of minor niggles before they become major. We put forward the following advice to those in Baltimore, Carroll, Howard and Anne Arundel counties.

A Fresh Air Filter to Start With

Most do not appreciate how much a furnace filter has to do. All summer long it is gathering dust, pet hair and the like which hampers airflow and makes the system labor more than necessary.

Then there is the matter of a clogged filter causing short-cycling or putting up your energy bill. Put in a new one, by far the most economical task of the fall. In the height of use you should make a habit of checking it each month and changing it when called for.

Put Some Space Around Your Furnace

Make your way to the basement, closet or utility room where the furnace is housed. You will likely find boxes and cleaning products and other things have made themselves at home in the vicinity over the year.

It is best to clear them away so the system can have some room. That in itself lessens fire hazard and aids airflow, not to mention making things simpler for a technician down the road.

Make Sure It Will Run When You Are Ready

There is no point waiting for a frigid evening to discover the furnace will not engage. Crank up the thermostat a couple of degrees and see if you get warm air in a few minutes.

On this initial test run be on the lookout for:

• Noises of a rattling, squealing or banging variety
• A musty or burning odour that lingers
• Vents with little air coming from them
• The unit running on without ever getting to the temperature you want
• Cold air despite having the heat on
• A system that will not turn on period

Any of these and you would do well to have someone have a look at it.

Thermostat and Vents

An older thermostat needs its batteries changed in the fall; otherwise a flat battery could deny you heat from an otherwise sound furnace. See that none of the supply or return vents are obstructed by a rug or piece of furniture. Uneven heating is the result and it puts undue stress on the system. Good airflow is what keeps the rooms comfortable and the furnace efficient.

Professional Maintenance Is Not to Be Overlooked

While a homeowner can accomplish much, certain things require a trained hand. A tune-up from us means we are inspecting the heat exchanger and electricals, testing the safety controls and doing the cleaning you cannot. Too often we are only contacted after the fact. Preventive maintenance is what allows a system to have a long life. Our membership plans at Cool Breeze are designed to make keeping up with seasonal service a non-issue.

We are a women-owned and led company and have the 190 plus Google reviews from our neighbours in Central Maryland to show for it. From commercial HVAC to ductwork and indoor air quality, we cover it all.

When you are ready we are. The office is open weekdays 7:30 to 4 but we also have availability on weekends and after hours for an emergency, so a Saturday night malfunction does not leave you to it. Free estimates are available as well.

For the sake of your comfort this winter, do not leave it to chance. Call us at (410) 210-4847 and the team at Cool Breeze will have your furnace in shape for the season.