As the long Georgia summer finally fades and the leaves start to turn, most homeowners flip their thermostats from "Cool" to "Heat" and assume the system will just figure it out. But after sitting dormant for six to eight months, firing up a furnace or reversing a heat pump can put sudden, immense strain on your HVAC system.
Every year, the technicians at HVAC Bee get slammed with "no heat" emergency calls during the first major cold snap in Cherokee and Cobb County. The good news? The vast majority of these breakdowns are entirely preventable with a little proactive preparation.
The Pre-Season Checklist
Before the first freeze hits, take 20 minutes to walk through this DIY checklist. Catching a problem now is much better than discovering it at 3:00 AM in December.
1. Change the Air Filter
A dirty summer filter will suffocate your winter furnace. Restricted airflow causes the heat exchanger to overheat, tripping the safety limits and shutting the system down. Start the season fresh by changing your HVAC filter.
2. Test the System Early
Don't wait until it's freezing outside. Pick a mild day in October, turn your thermostat to "Heat", and bump the temp up a few degrees. Ensure warm air is blowing from the vents. If it isn't, you have plenty of time to schedule a repair.
3. Clear the Vents
Walk through every room and ensure that rugs, furniture, and curtains are not blocking your supply or return registers. Blocked vents ruin system airflow and cause uneven room temperatures.
4. Check the Thermostat
If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, make sure the batteries are fresh and update the daily schedule for winter hours so you aren't paying to heat an empty house.
What is that burning smell? When you turn on your gas furnace for the first time, it is entirely normal for it to smell like burning dust for about 15-30 minutes. Dust settles on the burners over the summer and simply needs to burn off. If the smell persists, turn the unit off and call a pro.
Outdoor Unit Care: ACs vs. Heat Pumps
How you treat the large metal box in your yard during the winter depends entirely on what kind of system you own.
If you have a Central AC and a Gas Furnace:
Your outdoor AC condenser will not run during the winter. You should clear away heavy leaf buildup from the base. Do not wrap the unit in a tight tarp! Wrapping the unit traps moisture inside, which accelerates rust and encourages mice to nest in the wiring. If you want to protect the fan blades from falling debris, place a piece of plywood over the top grill and weigh it down with a brick.
If you have a Heat Pump:
Your outdoor unit is going to run all winter long to heat your home. Never cover a heat pump. Make sure there is at least two feet of clearance around the unit, trimming back dead summer bushes and keeping the coils free of leaves. Heat pumps need maximum airflow to extract heat from the cold outdoor air.
When to Call the Professionals
While DIY prep is great, there are parts of your heating system that should only be touched by a licensed professional. Natural gas and carbon monoxide are not things you want to gamble with.
You should schedule a professional Furnace Tune-Up every fall. During this visit, our technicians perform critical safety tasks:
- Carbon Monoxide Check: We inspect the heat exchanger for microscopic cracks that could leak lethal exhaust gases into your home's air supply.
- Burner Cleaning: We clean the burners and flame sensor to ensure the gas ignites efficiently and safely.
- Ignitor Testing: A cracked hot surface ignitor is the most common cause of mid-winter breakdowns. We test the resistance to catch a failing ignitor before it dies.
If your system is making strange banging or squealing noises, or if it is over 15 years old and constantly needing repairs, it may be time to skip the tune-up and get a free estimate for a furnace replacement.
