BLAINE, Minn. — With freezing temperatures approaching, experts say now is the time to prepare your home for winter.
"One of the things we recommend homeowners do is test their system before it reaches freezing temperatures," said Nate Stoll, standard heating and cooling service technician.
Stoll said once temperatures freeze, service calls increase as people experience problems with their furnaces.
"Maybe an engine whistle, a grinding noise, sometimes even a smell," Stoll said.
Before calling a professional, he says there are a few things homeowners can do first. Furnace filters should be checked and replaced frequently depending on the filter width.
"Every inch of width we have represents how many months we want to go without checking our filter," Stoll said.
Stoll recommends checking your air ducts for critters and making sure leaves aren't blocking vents or downspouts, which could lead to ice dams forming.
"We want to make sure their drain lines are connected...We want to make sure they lead to a functioning floor drain," he said.
Other cold weather preparation tips include cleaning gutters, inspecting roofs, attics and chimneys, sealing windows and doors, and protecting pipes.
"As a homeowner, you can reverse your ceiling fans to move hot air up from the ceiling and back to the floor," Stoll said. "It's good to take care of some of these things before they become more pressing for you."
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