The temperatures are beginning to drop in California as winter rolls in for the next few months. While our weather doesn’t get nearly as frigid as in other places, native Californians still like to turn on the furnace now and then to keep the chill away.

After a long summer of running your AC unit, you shouldn’t jump right into using your furnace without some preparation. Without some cleaning and precaution, you might go to turn on the heat, only to discover that your system isn’t working at all.

Follow these few simple steps to get your furnace winter-ready and to see if you’ll need last-minute furnace repair in Visalia, CA.

Test it well in advance

It isn’t smart to turn your furnace on for the first time this year when the temperatures reach absolutely chilly levels. You should test your furnace’s functionality before it gets too cold, so you’ll have time to address any issues that arise before you truly need the heat.

Call for maintenance

One of the most important parts of getting your furnace prepped for a long winter of regular use is to have it tuned up by an  HVAC professional. During a furnace maintenance visit, a professional can visit your home, inspect your furnace for problems and signs of wear, replace broken parts, clean the system of dust and dirt, and replace your air filter. All of these items are important for your furnace to run efficiently, or even run at all. Once maintenance is done, your furnace should be clean and ready to operate.

It’s a good idea to call for a maintenance appointment in advance, as well. These professionals tend to get busy nearer the winter months because lots of people begin calling for maintenance and furnace repair in Visalia, CA.

When it’s time to turn the heat on

When you finally decide you want to kick on the heat (and after you’ve had your furnace looked over), make sure all the vents in your home are open. To achieve the best heating results, move all furniture and objects away from the vents for optimal airflow.

Then, flick your thermostat from “cool” to “heat” and set the temperature a little higher than the current temperature of your house. Within a few minutes, your furnace should kick on and you should hear it running. Check that warm air is blowing out of your vents.

When you run your furnace for the first time after summer, you should stick around and pay attention to it to make sure nothing is going wrong. Listen for any strange clicking or banging noises, and be cautious if you identify any strange smells.

Get furnace help when you need it

If you turn on your furnace this winter and it won’t start, or it sputters out after a few hours, call the heating experts at  24/7 Local HVAC. We can provide same-day and 24/7 emergency service for furnace repair in Visalia, CA to keep you and your family comfortable and safe this winter.