How to Prepare Your Furnace and Heat Pump for a Minnesota Winter
Do these before the first hard freeze and you will avoid most of the no-heat calls we run every December.
Homeowner checklist
- Replace the furnace filter, and buy a season's worth
- Test the furnace on a cool September evening — do not wait for the first freeze
- Clear leaves and mulch from high-efficiency intake and exhaust pipes
- Replace thermostat batteries
- Test carbon monoxide detectors and replace ones over 7 years old
- Cover the AC condenser top only (not the sides) or leave it uncovered
- Keep 18 inches of clearance around heat pump outdoor units for snow
- Open all supply registers and clear returns
- Set a humidifier to 30–35% once it drops below 20°F outside
- Schedule a furnace tune-up
Warning signs to act on now
Delayed ignition, a rumble at start-up, a furnace that ran fine last spring but now short cycles, or any smell of gas. These are furnace repair calls, not wait-and-see items.
We prepare homes for winter in Duluth, St. Cloud, Brainerd, Bemidji and every Minnesota community.