Mild Winter Forecast Is No Reason to Skip Furnace Checks, Says Sherwood Park HVAC Company

Early long-range outlooks suggest a milder winter for much of Alberta, but Sherwood Mechanical Services, Inc. is reminding Sherwood Park homeowners that one cold snap is all it takes to expose a weak furnace.

An early 2026/27 outlook from forecaster OpenSnow favours above-normal temperatures for populated parts of Alberta, including Edmonton. Even so, the Edmonton region still sees stretches of deep cold every winter, and that is when worn furnace parts fail.

“A milder average doesn’t help you on the one night it drops to minus 30,” said a spokesperson for Sherwood Mechanical. “Most mid-winter breakdowns we see start as small problems, like a dirty flame sensor, a weak ignitor or a clogged condensate drain. Those are easy to catch in the fall.”

The company recommends four steps before the heating season:

Book an annual furnace tune-up that includes a heat exchanger inspection and a carbon monoxide test.
Replace the furnace filter, and check it monthly during winter.
Find the two white PVC vent pipes on the outside wall and keep them clear of snow and frost.
Test carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home.

If a furnace does stop working, the company’s free furnace troubleshooting guide walks homeowners through 11 safe checks, from thermostat settings to tripped breakers and blocked vents, before they call for repair.

Safety comes first. Anyone who smells gas should leave the home immediately and call ATCO Gas’s 24-hour emergency line at 1-800-511-3447 or 911 from outside. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, everyone should get outside and call 911.

“Furnaces in Sherwood Park run for long stretches in January,” the spokesperson said. “An hour of maintenance in October is much easier than finding a technician during a cold snap.”

Homeowners whose furnaces are 15 to 20 years old may also want to compare repair and replacement costs ahead of time using the company’s furnace replacement cost guide.

To book a tune-up or furnace repair in Sherwood Park, call (780) 449-5322.

About Sherwood Mechanical Services, Inc.
Sherwood Mechanical is a family-owned HVAC company founded in 2016 and based in Sherwood Park, Alberta. It repairs and installs furnaces, air conditioners, boilers and water heaters with upfront pricing and a satisfaction guarantee.

Media contact: Sandy · (780) 449-5322 · [email protected]