The first truly chilly evening in Bucks County always sneaks up on us. One day it’s fall leaves and football, the next it’s 45°F overnight—and thousands of heaters wake up from summer hibernation at the same time. That’s when small issues become big headaches: tripped breakers, dirty filters, failed igniters, iced‑over heat pumps, or that burning smell that makes you wonder if something’s wrong.
Consider this your friendly, homeowner‑friendly heating readiness guide. We’ll walk you through a quick at‑home check (our spin on a “furnace tune‑up checklist” you can actually do), explain the value of a professional tune‑up, and share a few comfort and safety tips so your season starts smooth.
A 10‑Minute Pre‑Check You Can Do Today
This isn’t a replacement for professional service—it’s a quick, confidence‑building pass through the essentials. Move room to room and take your time.
1) Switch to HEAT and give it a try.
Set the thermostat to HEAT and bump it 3–5°F over room temperature. You should feel warm air at the vents (or radiators warming) within a few minutes. If nothing happens, or it starts and stops quickly, make a note to call.
2) Listen, look, and sniff.
A faint dusty odor at first start‑up is common. Grinding, repeated bangs, smoke, or a strong electrical smell aren’t. If you sense something off, shut it down at the switch and call a pro.
3) Give your filter a fresh start.
Clogged filters are the #1 airflow killer. Pop in a new filter (or clean your reusable one) so rooms heat evenly and equipment breathes easy.
4) Free the airflow.
Open supply registers and clear returns—no furniture, curtains, or pet beds blocking grilles. Poor airflow makes systems noisy, inefficient, and uncomfortable.
5) Check power and settings.
Confirm the furnace or air handler switch is ON, breakers aren’t tripped, and your fan is set to AUTO. For smart stats, verify you’re on the correct system mode.
6) Test safety devices.
Press TEST on your CO and smoke detectors. Replace batteries if you haven’t since spring.
7) Set your humidifier to winter.
If you have a whole‑home humidifier, turn it on and set a starting point around 30–40% RH. Proper humidity helps rooms feel warmer at lower thermostat settings.
8) Clear around the equipment.
Keep about 3 feet of space around the furnace/boiler and water heater. No storage on or against the equipment.
9) Show the outdoor unit some love.
For heat pumps, clear leaves and debris within 2 feet of the outdoor unit. Don’t cover it in winter; it needs airflow for defrost. (AC‑only condensers can use a breathable top cover—sides open.)
10) Oil or propane?
Verify fuel level and make sure the delivery path is clear and safe. You can order home heating fuel online at myexpressoil.com and explore our home fuel delivery and service plans here!
What a Professional Tune‑Up Adds
An at‑home check is powerful, but a preseason tune‑up goes deeper—finding small problems before they become late‑night emergencies.
For furnaces (gas or oil): a tech will perform combustion and safety checks, inspect the heat exchanger and burners, clean/adjust igniter and flame sensor, verify gas pressure and venting, tighten electrical connections, check blower performance, and ensure condensate drains properly.
For heat pumps (ducted or ductless): we verify refrigerant charge and operating temperatures, test defrost and the reversing valve, clean indoor/outdoor coils, inspect capacitors/contactor, check line‑set insulation, and confirm thermostat staging. For ductless, we also wash/reinstall reusable filters, flush drains, and inspect wall penetrations and line‑hide.
Why it matters: higher efficiency, fewer breakdowns, safer operation, cleaner air—and usually lower energy bills versus a neglected system. Members of our Comfort Club get this tune‑up automatically each year, plus priority no‑heat response and repair discounts, so you’re never scrambling when everyone else is calling.
Safety First—Every Season
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Test CO and smoke alarms monthly; replace batteries yearly.
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Keep combustibles (boxes, paints, cleaners) 3 feet from equipment.
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Check exterior vents and flues for nests, leaves, or snow.
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Use space heaters carefully: 3‑foot clearance, stable surface, never unattended.
If your CO alarm sounds or you smell gas, evacuate, call emergency services and your utility, then call us.
When to Call a Pro Now (Not at 2 a.m.)
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No heat, frequent short‑cycling, or repeated resets
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Persistent burning/electrical odors
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Uneven rooms, weak airflow, or much higher bills than last year
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Equipment is 10–20+ years old or hasn’t had a tune‑up in 12 months
Getting help before the first cold snap beats waiting behind a long line of emergency calls.
Bucks & Philly: Get Ahead of the Rush
We’ve helped thousands of neighbors across Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Northeast Philly sail through the first cold night with confidence. If you haven’t booked yet, now’s the moment. Schedule your tune‑up online (fast response), or ask about our Comfort Club to lock in annual maintenance and priority service all season.
If you live in the Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia area and would like to find comfort within your home, visit our website or give us a call at 215 - 245 - 3200.
