October weather in West Chester can be deceptive. A beautiful afternoon may have you opening the windows, while just a few hours later you’re thinking about turning on the heat.
That’s exactly why early October is one of the best times for West Chester homeowners to give their furnace a test run.
Don’t wait for the first really cold night.
Turn It On Before You Need It
Set your thermostat several degrees higher than the current indoor temperature and let the furnace run through a complete heating cycle.
Then pay attention.
Does it start fairly quickly? Is warm air coming from the registers? Does the house begin warming evenly?
A furnace that has been sitting unused for months may give you a little dusty smell when it first starts. That can be normal and should disappear relatively quickly.
What you don’t want to ignore are new or persistent problems.
Five Things West Chester Homeowners Should Watch For
1. The furnace doesn’t start.
Check your thermostat settings and circuit breaker first. If everything appears correct and the furnace still won’t run, it’s time for professional help.
2. You hear a new banging, rattling, squealing or grinding noise.
Your heating system shouldn’t suddenly develop a new soundtrack.
3. Some rooms warm up while others stay cold.
This isn’t always a furnace problem. Airflow, ductwork, closed registers, insulation and system sizing can all contribute to uneven temperatures.
4. The furnace starts and stops repeatedly.
Frequent cycling deserves attention, particularly if this is new behavior.
5. The furnace runs but the house doesn’t get comfortable.
If you’re continually increasing the thermostat without getting the warmth you expect, something isn’t working as it should.
Why October Is the Time to Find Out
Nobody wants to discover a furnace problem at 10 p.m. on the first freezing night.
Testing now gives you time to have a problem evaluated without the pressure of an emergency.
The National Weather Service’s historical frost and freeze information for our region shows why October is an important transition month. Freezing temperatures become increasingly possible as we move deeper into fall.
For homeowners throughout West Chester and West Chester Township, a simple furnace test now could prevent a much less convenient surprise later.
If your furnace doesn’t sound, smell or perform the way you remember, Tri State Heating & Cooling can take a look before colder Southwest Ohio weather settles in. Contact us to schedule service.