Cold Is Here: Things To Do Before Winter Comes

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- You can feel it starting to cool down out there, and it won't be long before you'll need to fire up your furnace.

Although you may not like to think about it, experts say you should test out your furnace some time before the winter actually gets here. In other words, before you need that heat, you should take an early look at the system to make sure it's in working order.

That way, if it's in need of repair, there's time to have it fixed.

The first thing you should do before it gets cold outside is to simply turn on the furnace.

Another tip is to make sure your filter is clean if your unit has a filtering system. Make sure those arrows are pointed toward the furnace.

If you find your furnace isn't working properly during the early testing phase, contact a certified technician, preferably factory authorized.

Also, you should not neglect the air conditioning unit. Keep the exterior fan clean, and if you notice any loud or disconcerting noises, don't ignore them.