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New England winters don't wait around, and neither should your heating system. September is the sweet spot for getting your furnace, boiler, or fuel supply ready before the temperature drops and service schedules fill up. For over 90 years, Townsend Energy has helped homeowners across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine get ahead of the cold — here's what should be on your checklist this month.
Don't wait for the first cold snap to find out your system needs help. Schedule your fall tune-up now by filling out our online contact form or calling (978) 717-0490.
Schedule Your Fall Tune-Up
A professional tune-up is the single most important thing you can do before winter arrives. During a tune-up, a technician inspects, cleans, and adjusts your system so it's running as efficiently and safely as possible before it has to work hard every day.
A fall tune-up can help you:
- Catch small issues before they turn into no-heat emergencies
- Improve energy efficiency, which can lower your utility bills
- Extend the lifespan of your furnace or boiler
- Keep your manufacturer's warranty valid
If you want tune-ups handled automatically every year, Townsend360 builds an annual tune-up right into your membership, along with priority scheduling if something goes wrong mid-winter.
Top Off Your Propane or Oil Before Prices Shift
Fuel pricing tends to move as demand climbs heading into heating season. Topping off your tank in September, before the rush, is one of the easiest ways to avoid paying more than you need to.
It's also worth checking how you're currently set up for delivery. If you're manually tracking your tank level and calling for propane or heating oil deliveries, September is a good time to switch to automatic delivery instead. We track your tank size, historical usage, and local weather data so your fuel arrives before you're ever running on empty — no phone calls required.
Don't Skip the Filter Change
It's a small task with a big payoff. A dirty filter forces your system to work harder to push air through your home, which can drive up your energy bills and put unnecessary strain on your equipment.
Before the season gets busy, check your filter and swap it out if it's dusty or discolored. As a general rule, most homes should change filters every one to three months during heating season, though your household's specific needs (pets, allergies, filter type) may call for more frequent changes.
Signs Your Furnace or Boiler Needs Service Before the Cold Hits
Some warning signs are easy to miss until you're relying on your system every day. Keep an eye out for:
- Unusual noises, like banging, rattling, or screeching
- Uneven heating from room to room
- A noticeable increase in your fuel or energy bills
- Short cycling, where the system turns on and off frequently
- A yellow or flickering burner flame instead of a steady blue one
- Your system is more than 15 years old
If any of these sound familiar, don't wait until you have no heat to have it looked at. Our furnace and boiler specialists can diagnose the issue and recommend a repair or, if it makes more sense, a replacement before winter puts extra strain on an aging system.
Consider Switching to BioPure®
If you heat with oil, September is also a good time to ask about BioPure®, our cleaner-burning biodiesel blend. It doesn't cost more per gallon than traditional heating oil, it reduces your home's carbon footprint, and it's automatically included for Townsend Energy oil customers — no extra steps on your end.
Get Ready for Winter Today
Getting your heating system ready in September means one less thing to worry about once winter settles in. For over 90 years, Townsend Energy has helped New England families stay warm and comfortable through every season, and we're ready to help you get ahead of this one. Fill out our online contact form or call (978) 717-0490 today to schedule your fall tune-up, set up automatic delivery, or ask about BioPure®.