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Before you crank the heat
It's the first real cold morning of the year. You turn the thermostat up, wait, and nothing happens. Now you're calling every heating company around, and so is half of Fairfield.
You picked this one. Furnace and boiler prep won last week's vote.
Heating companies get busy once winter hits, which is why ENERGY STAR recommends getting the heating system checked in the fall (ENERGY STAR). Book it now, and do these four checks yourself.
Your 5-minute heating check
Check the filter. Look at it once a month in winter. If it looks dirty, change it, and change it at least every three months (ENERGY STAR). Write the date on the frame so you remember. Not sure what to buy? The size is printed on the side of your old filter. Shop furnace filters
Clear the space around it. Move boxes, laundry and anything else that's crept up against the furnace or boiler. Never block the air openings (CPSC).
Check the vent outside. Find where your heating system vents out of the house. Birds and other animals can nest in vents over the summer, which can push exhaust back inside (CPSC). If you see a nest or a blockage, leave it for a pro.
Test your CO alarm. You did this last week, right? Carbon monoxide alarms belong in the hallway near the bedrooms (CPSC).
Leave the rest to a pro. Gas connections, burners and the heat exchanger are jobs for a technician (ENERGY STAR). The CPSC recommends a professional inspection of furnaces, boilers, chimneys, flues and vents every year (CPSC).
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This week's featured pro:
Neftco Mechanical
Nefty Garcia has 15 years of experience in heating and cooling. In 2023, after years of working for other companies, he started Neftco Mechanical to do it his way: quality work, honest service and treating customers like family. His daughter helps run the business, and his son works alongside him in the field. Nefty calls it the “village treatment.”
Based in Stratford, Neftco installs, replaces and services heating and cooling for homes and businesses, including furnaces, boilers, heat pumps and ductless mini-splits. Neftco is also the heating contact on our Fairfield Winter Checklist.
Why bother with a tune-up?
We wondered the same thing. Neftco's tune-up guide says to watch for:
Strange noises. Banging, rattling or squealing can mean loose or worn parts.
Higher bills. Your bill jumps, but you haven't used more.
Short cycling. The system turns on and off more than usual.
Age. Neftco says most systems last about 10 to 15 years.
What you get out of it: lower energy use, fewer surprise breakdowns and a longer-lasting system. A tune-up also checks electrical and gas connections, which Neftco says cuts down fire and carbon monoxide risk.
Neftco offers free estimates on installations. Tap Request, tell them what you need and when, and your request goes straight to them.
Book your tune-up before the cold does it for you.
Your Backyard Renovation List Is Missing Something
Every backyard renovation has a list. New deck. Better lighting. Maybe that outdoor kitchen you've been pinning for years.
Here's what usually gets left off: shelter. Without it, your brand-new patio is only as good as the weather forecast. A Hansø pergola fixes that.
Built from T6 aerospace-grade aluminum and engineered for up to 167 mph winds and up to 65 PSF snow load, it keeps your patio covered, comfortable, and in use from spring through winter. Motorized louvers let you decide how much sky you want, anytime.
Early Bird Offers EXTENDED: save up to 40% on pergolas, plus a $1,000 installation voucher, a Free Hansø ProCheck Care™ 10-Year Plan worth $950, FREE heater and more.
The list is long. Make sure the most important thing is on it.
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Fairfield weather this week
Wed: Early fog, then sunny ☀️, 71°
Thu: Chance of showers 🌧️, 70°
Fri: Showers and thunderstorms ⛈️, 68°
Sat: Showers likely 🌧️, 64°
Sun: Early shower chance, then mostly sunny 🌧️, 60°
Up to 2 inches of rain Friday? Clear your gutters and downspouts Thursday.
Forecast: National Weather Service
See you next week.
Fairfield Town and Trade is proudly owned and operated by a disabled veteran.
