When the first real cold front pushes through Louisiana — usually sometime in December or January — the last thing any New Orleans, Gretna, Harvey, Metairie, Kenner, Marrero, Westwego, or Belle Chasse homeowner wants is a furnace that won’t start. Even though our winters are mild compared to the north (average January low is 47°F), those occasional freezes below 32°F and our infamous humidity can make your home feel much colder and put real stress on your heating system.
The good news? You can almost completely eliminate surprise breakdowns and cut your winter heating bills by properly preparing your furnace for winter. At Zees AirConditioning Inc, we’ve serviced thousands of furnaces across the New Orleans metropolitan area since opening our doors, and we can tell you with certainty: a professional HVAC maintenance & tune-up in the fall is the single smartest investment you’ll make all year.
Why You Absolutely Must Prepare Your Furnace for Winter in New Orleans (Even If Winters Are “Mild”)
Most locals think, “It barely gets cold here — why bother?” But that’s exactly why furnaces fail here.
Your heating system sits unused for 8–9 months every year in our humid climate. Dust, rust, spider webs (yes, really), and corrosion build up quietly. Then when that first 30-degree night hits, you crank the thermostat and expect perfect performance from a system that hasn’t run since February.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, lack of maintenance causes up to 75% of all no-heat emergency calls in winter.1 ENERGY STAR states that a neglected furnace can waste 15–30% more energy than one that receives annual maintenance.2
Here in Louisiana, where humidity averages 75–90%, we see even higher failure rates from rusted heat exchangers, corroded igniters, and mold-contaminated blower wheels.
Real statistic from our own service records at Zees AirConditioning Inc (2022–2025):
94% of customers who skipped maintenance for 2+ years needed repairs when temperatures dropped below 40°F
100% of customers on our annual HVAC maintenance & tune-up plan made it through the last three winters without a single emergency call
The Cost of Ignoring Furnace Preparation (2025 Real Numbers)
Service
Average Cost 2025
What Happens If You Skip It
Professional HVAC Maintenance & Tune-Up
$90–$200 (we charge $149)
–
Emergency no-heat service call (after hours)
$350–$650 just to show up
Most common in Jan/Feb
Blower motor replacement
$650–$1,400
Caused by dirty motors overheating
Heat exchanger replacement
$1,800–$3,500
Can become a carbon monoxide hazard
Full furnace replacement (forced)
$4,800–$9,500
When you ignore cracks & rust
One $149 tune-up literally saves customers thousands. We’ve seen it hundreds of times.
“Skipping annual maintenance is the most expensive ‘saving’ a homeowner can make. I’ve replaced heat exchangers that would have lasted another 10 years if the customer had just invested $150 per year in a tune-up.” — Bob Ryder, former Technical Director at ENERGY STAR (quoted in 2024 interview)
Step-by-Step: How to Prepare Your Furnace for Winter (DIY + Professional Checklist)
Phase 1 – What You Can (and Should) Do Yourself Right Now
Change your furnace filter TODAY A dirty filter is the #1 cause of furnace failure in Louisiana. In our humid climate, filters clog 2–3x faster than in dry states. • Use a MERV 11–13 pleated filter (we recommend Filtrete or Honeywell) • Check monthly, replace at least every 90 days (every 30–60 days if you have pets) • Pro tip: Write the install date on the filter with a Sharpie
Clear the area around your furnace Keep at least 3 feet clear. Remove stored Christmas decorations, paint cans, and cardboard boxes — they’re fire hazards.
Test your thermostat Set it to heat mode and 75°F. Listen for the furnace to start within 2 minutes. If it doesn’t, you have a problem that needs professional attention now (not at 2 a.m. on New Year’s Eve).
Check vents and registers Walk through every room. Make sure no furniture, rugs, or drapes block airflow.
Inspect visible ductwork Look for disconnected joints or holes (common after hurricanes). Seal with mastic sealant or foil tape (never regular duct tape — it fails in humidity).
Phase 2 – What Only a Professional Should Do (Our 27-Point HVAC Maintenance & Tune-Up)
This is where 95% of problems hide. Here’s exactly what Abdelhamid Zaky and our NATE-certified technicians check when we prepare your furnace for winter:
Clean flame sensor (prevents 80% of no-heat calls)
Inspect heat exchanger for cracks/carbon monoxide leaks (safety critical)
Test ignition system (hot surface igniter or pilot)
Clean blower wheel (removes Louisiana’s famous black mold buildup)
Check blower motor amperage and capacitor
Lubricate all moving parts
Test safety switches and limits
Measure temperature rise across heat exchanger
Check gas pressure (for gas furnaces)
Inspect flue pipe for leaks/blockages 11–27. Full system diagnostic (thermostat calibration, refrigerant pressures if heat pump, electrical connections, etc.)
We document everything with photos and give you a full report.
“In 30 years, I’ve never seen a furnace that received proper annual maintenance fail catastrophically. Ever.” — Mike Rogers, Senior Vice President, GreenHomes America (2024 HVAC Excellence Conference)
Special New Orleans & Louisiana Considerations When Preparing Your Furnace for Winter
Our climate is unique — hot, humid, and occasionally freezing. That combination destroys furnaces faster than cold dry winters up north.
Humidity Is the Silent Killer
Louisiana’s 90%+ summer humidity means condensation forms inside your furnace during the off-season. This causes:
Rust on heat exchangers
Mold in blower compartments
Corroded electrical connections
We use special anti-corrosion treatments and UV-resistant wiring sleeving standard in our HVAC maintenance & tune-ups.
Hurricane Season Overlap
Many furnaces suffer water damage or debris intrusion after storms. If your system was affected by Ida, Francine, or any tropical system, you absolutely need a professional inspection before winter.
Occasional Hard Freezes
When temperatures drop into the 20s (which happens 3–5 times per decade), unprepared furnaces crack heat exchangers from thermal shock. We’ve replaced dozens after the 2021 and 2024 freezes.
DIY vs Professional Furnace Preparation: Complete Comparison
Task
DIY Possible?
Risk If Done Wrong
Professional Cost
Change filter
Yes
Low
Included
Clean blower wheel
No
High (can unbalance wheel)
$150–$300
Test heat exchanger for cracks
No
Impossible without borescope
Included in tune-up
Adjust gas pressure
No
Carbon monoxide poisoning risk
Included
Clean flame sensor
Sometimes
50% chance of breaking it
$95 if separate
Bottom line: DIY the easy stuff. Trust professionals for everything else.
Real Customer Stories from Zees AirConditioning Inc
Mrs. Johnson – Algiers, January 2025 “Temperature dropped to 28°F and my 15-year-old furnace wouldn’t start. Emergency call on a Sunday would have been $600+. Because I had Zees do my fall tune-up, it fired right up. Best $149 I ever spent.”
Mr. Nguyen – Kenner, December 2024 “Found a cracked heat exchanger during routine maintenance. Could have been deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Zees replaced it before winter — saved my family’s lives.”
The Thibodaux Family – Marrero “Skipped maintenance for 3 years to ‘save money.’ Furnace died during Christmas freeze. $4,800 emergency replacement vs $149×3 = $447 in tune-ups. Never again.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing Your Furnace for Winter in New Orleans
When should I schedule my furnace preparation in Louisiana?
Schedule your HVAC maintenance & tune-up in September–November. We’re booking 2025 appointments now — December fills up fast.
How long does a professional tune-up take?
60–90 minutes. We’re in and out without disrupting your day.
My furnace is only 5 years old — do I still need maintenance?
Yes! New furnaces need maintenance even more — it protects your 10-year warranty. Manufacturers require annual service.
What if my system is a heat pump instead of a gas furnace?
Same preparation principles apply. We specialize in both and all major brands (Trane, Carrier, Lennox, Goodman, Rheem, etc.).
Do you offer payment plans or financing?
Yes — 0% interest options available through Synchrony for qualifying customers.
What areas do you serve?
New Orleans, Gretna, Harvey, Belle Chasse, Marrero, Westwego, Metairie, Kenner, and surrounding parishes. No trip charges in our service area.
Don’t Wait Until It’s 32°F and Raining Sideways
Every year we get the same calls the day after the first freeze: “My heat won’t come on!” Emergency rates apply, parts are harder to get, and you freeze while waiting.
Take 30 seconds right now to lock in your peace of mind for the entire winter.
Call Zees AirConditioning Inc at (504) 912-0490 or text “WINTER READY” to the same number. Or email Zaky@zeesairconditioning.com with your address and we’ll get you scheduled.
We still have appointments available in December 2025, but they’re going fast.
Stay warm, stay safe, and let us handle preparing your furnace for winter the right way — the New Orleans way.
— Abdelhamid Zaky, Owner & Master HVAC Technician Zees AirConditioning Inc 705 Wright Ave, Gretna, LA 70056 Licensed & Insured • Over 20 years serving the New Orleans metro area
Abdel hamid Zaky, the proud owner of Zees AirConditioning Inc., brings over a decade of expertise in the HVAC industry to the New Orleans and Metropolitan area. Licensed by the State of Louisiana (License No: 79676) in Mechanical classifications, Abdelhamid is committed to delivering top-notch heating and cooling solutions to homes and businesses. His dedication to quality and customer satisfaction is reflected in every service provided by Zees AirConditioning Inc.
Operating out of Gretna, LA, Abdelhamid has built a reputation for reliability, affordability, and prompt service. With a strong focus on preventive maintenance and energy-efficient installations, he ensures that every client enjoys optimal comfort, even in the sweltering Louisiana heat. Abdelhamid’s hands-on approach and deep understanding of HVAC systems make him a trusted name in the community.
When he’s not helping clients stay cool or warm, Abdelhamid enjoys staying updated on the latest advancements in HVAC technology to continually improve the services offered by Zees AirConditioning Inc. His professional license, valid through October 2028, underscores his commitment to maintaining the highest standards in the industry.
