Our North Valley summers get all the attention — but the first cold snap has a way of sneaking up, and there’s no worse time to find out your heater won’t start than a freezing night. A little prep now saves you the headache, the discomfort, and the emergency call later. Here’s how the Stand Up Guys at Gallagher’s get your home ready.
Change your air filter
It’s the simplest, cheapest thing you can do — and the most overlooked. A clean filter keeps air moving, protects your system, and improves efficiency. Check it now, and swap it if it’s dirty.
Test your heat before you need it
Don’t wait for the first cold night. Run your heat for a few minutes this fall. A faint burning smell for a minute or two is normal (dust burning off); anything longer, plus odd noises or a no-start, is better to catch now than at 10 p.m. in December.
Clear the vents — and the outdoor unit
Make sure supply and return vents are open and not blocked by furniture or rugs. If you have a heat pump, clear leaves and debris away from the outdoor unit so it can breathe all winter.
Check your thermostat
Confirm it switches to heat and holds a temperature — fresh batteries if it needs them. Still adjusting it by hand? Fall is a great time to upgrade to a smart thermostat and save through the heating season.
Schedule a professional tune-up — the big one
A furnace tune-up is about more than efficiency. Our NATE-certified techs inspect the heat exchanger for cracks (a carbon-monoxide safety issue), check electrical connections, test the ignition and safety controls, and catch worn parts before they fail on the coldest night. It’s the difference between a warm winter and a cold surprise.
Quick answers
When should I prep for winter?
Early fall — before the first cold snap, and before everyone else calls. The first cold week is our busiest.
Do heat pumps need winter prep too?
Yes. Clear the outdoor unit, change the filter, and get it tuned — your heat pump heats your home all winter, so it needs to be ready.
Is a DIY check enough?
The filter and thermostat you can handle yourself. The heat-exchanger and safety checks need a professional — that’s the part that keeps your family safe.
Beat the first cold snap
Get your heating tune-up on the calendar now, and head into winter with one less thing to worry about. The Stand Up Guys at Gallagher’s have kept the North Valley warm since 1989 — request service today.
