Kansas City Homeowners Urged to Prepare Furnaces for Winter: Local HVAC Company Shares Safety Tips

As colder weather moves into the Kansas City metro, local home service experts are encouraging residents to prepare their heating systems for the winter season. First Mate Heating & Cooling — a family-owned HVAC company serving Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, and Johnson County since 1971 — is sharing safety and efficiency tips to help homeowners avoid mid-season breakdowns and unexpected repair costs.

“With older homes and quick temperature swings in our area, winter can be tough on HVAC systems,” said Tom Marren, owner of First Mate Heating & Cooling. “A simple check-up now can help prevent carbon monoxide issues, emergency furnace failures, and high utility bills later.”

Top Winter HVAC Tips for Kansas City & Johnson County Homeowners

1. Replace your furnace filter

Dust-packed filters restrict airflow, reduce heat output, and can cause a system to overheat or shut down.

2. Test your furnace before the first freeze

Let it run for 10–15 minutes to ensure the burners, ignitor, and blower motor are operating properly.

3. Check carbon monoxide detectors

Homes with gas furnaces, water heaters, or fireplaces should test detectors and replace batteries yearly.

4. Keep the furnace area clear

Boxes, holiday decor, paint cans, and cleaning supplies should be kept away from the unit to avoid safety hazards.

5. Consider a professional HVAC safety inspection

A licensed technician can check heat exchangers, gas pressure, ignition systems, and air handling components — especially important for furnaces 10+ years old.

About First Mate Heating & Cooling

First Mate Heating & Cooling is a locally owned, community-focused HVAC company headquartered in Lee’s Summit and serving the entire Kansas City metro, including Blue Springs, Raymore, Lake Winnebago, Overland Park, and Shawnee.

Formerly known as Sharp-Long 72 Degrees, the company rebranded to First Mate to reflect its mission of guiding homeowners to honest, reliable home comfort solutions. The team specializes in furnace repair, heating system tune-ups, new HVAC installations, emergency heating service, and year-round home comfort maintenance.

Homeowners can learn more or request service at:
👉 https://callfirstmate.com