Robert B. Payne Heating & Air: Fredericksburg Furnaces Face Late First Cold

After a November running about 7 degrees warmer than normal, the season's first cold weekend is forecast for Nov. 14 and 15, and many furnaces have barely run.

After weeks of unusually mild weather, the region is heading into its first real cold of the season. Capital Weather reported on Nov. 6 that November was running about 7 degrees warmer than normal, with highs reaching the 60s and 70s every day.

The outlet's forecast calls for a strong fall cold front to sweep through the region, with highs in the 50s on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14 and 15. Overnight lows could dip into the upper 20s and 30s across the region, which Capital Weather said would bring historically late first freezes to many locations.

The cold is expected to be brief: Capital Weather said highs will probably rebound into the 60s during the week of Nov. 16.

For many households in Fredericksburg and the surrounding counties, that pattern means a furnace that has barely run this fall will be asked to carry a house through a cold night with little warning. Robert B. Payne Heating & Air, which has served Fredericksburg since 1930, repairs, replaces and maintains gas, electric and oil furnaces across Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania and King George.

A first cold night is often when problems that went unnoticed through a mild fall come to the surface: an ignition that will not light, a blower that runs but moves cool air, or a clogged filter that restricts airflow. On an older system, it can also be the point where a homeowner has to weigh another repair against a replacement.

"A warm November feels like a break, but it also means a lot of furnaces around Fredericksburg have not really been tested yet," said Justin "JC" Brooks, service manager at Robert B. Payne Heating & Air. "The first cold weekend is usually when a system that will not light, or one that is blowing cool air, finally gets noticed. Turning the heat on for a few minutes before the cold arrives is the simplest way to find out where a furnace stands."

The company's furnace guide notes that most furnaces last about 15 to 20 years, that yearly maintenance helps a system reach the long end of that range, and that repairs come more often and cost more as a furnace ages.

Homes that heat with oil have one more item to check. The same company that delivers fuel oil in the area also services oil furnaces and boilers, so a low tank and an idle system can be looked at together.

• Run the heat early: switch the thermostat to heat and raise it a few degrees to confirm the furnace lights and warm air reaches every room.
• Check the filter: a clogged air filter restricts airflow and makes the furnace work harder.
• Test the alarms: check carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, especially in homes with gas or oil furnaces.
• Clear the space: keep the area around the furnace free of stored items, and keep supply and return vents clear of furniture and rugs.
• Watch the first run: a short dusty smell on the first start of the season is common; a smell that lingers, new noises or a furnace that keeps switching on and off is worth a technician's look.
• Oil heat: check the tank gauge before the cold weekend rather than during it.

Fredericksburg-area homeowners can learn more about furnace installation and replacement from Robert B. Payne Heating & Air online or call (540) 373-5876.

About Robert B. Payne Heating & Air

Robert B. Payne Heating & Air is a heating and air conditioning company based in Fredericksburg, Va., serving the region since 1930. Its services include heating, air conditioning, water heaters, heating oil delivery, indoor air quality and commercial HVAC. The service area includes Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline and King George counties. More information is available at robertbpayne.com.

Contact Information:

Robert B. Payne Heating & Air

1209 Lafayette Blvd
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
United States

Justin "JC" Brooks
540-373-5876
https://robertbpayne.com/contact-us/%20