The first cool days of fall often bring the same moment in homes across Aylmer, St. Thomas, London, Tillsonburg and Woodstock: the thermostat is switched to heating, the furnace starts after months of limited use and an unfamiliar smell or sound appears.Some first-startup furnace smells and noises are temporary. Dust can settle on internal surfaces over the summer, and metal ductwork may make light ticking sounds as it warms. Other symptoms can point to an airflow restriction, electrical prob...

Ontario winters place heavy demands on residential heating systems. Once temperatures fall below freezing, a furnace may operate for many hours each day to keep the home warm. If the system has a clogged filter, worn component, airflow restriction or developing safety problem, that demand can turn a minor concern into an inconvenient breakdown at the coldest possible time.A fall furnace tune-up cannot guarantee that a furnace will never need repair, but it can identify many problems before th...