Is your furnace ready for the first big cold snap?
Homeowners rarely pay attention to their furnace until it malfunctions. And the worst time for it to malfunction is… In the middle of a cold January night.
Here’s the problem:
Winter is costly. Did you know it already costs money just to be cold? Heating your home this winter could cost an average of $976, before you even factor in emergency call-outs.
The good news?
Routine maintenance and some minor repairs can prevent most furnace problems before they occur.
It’s:
- Cheap to do
- Quick to finish
- Easy to stay on top of
…and it keeps your family warm and safe all winter long.
Here’s how to do it…
Why Fall Is The Best Time For Furnace Maintenance And Repair
Your furnace has been quietly sitting all summer. Dust has built up, and parts have hardened. And small issues have had time to develop.
Fall is your chance to catch those issues while the weather is still nice. If there’s a problem, you can get it taken care of instead of freezing in your cold home waiting for repairmen.
Timing is everything. When it gets cold, HVAC companies are inundated with service calls. Response times are longer, and you may pay higher prices. Scheduling your furnace service and repair early equals quicker service, less stressful repairs and a cozy home. If you’ve ever needed furnace repair in East Brunswick, NJ during a snowstorm, you know how quickly the best local technicians’ schedules book up.
Think about it:
An October tune-up is much easier to accept than a complete system breakdown in January.
But it’s not just about money…
It’s about safety.
U.S. fire departments respond to roughly 38,881 home heating fires each year. December through February is when they’re most common — when your furnace is busiest. Keeping your furnace clean and well-maintained can help prevent your home from becoming another statistic.
Pretty serious stuff, right?
Let’s jump into the checklist.
10 Fall Furnace Maintenance Tasks
Do it one by one. Some will take five minutes. Some will require a professional. Regardless, completing them all gives your furnace the best chance of surviving until spring.
1. Replace The Air Filter
This is the easiest task on the list… And the most important.
One of the easiest ways to improve your furnace’s efficiency is to change your filter. A dirty filter restricts your furnace. Your furnace has to strain to push air through your home, which makes your parts wear out faster and increases your energy bill. Filters generally need replacing every 1-3 months. Check your filter, and if it looks grey and dusty, replace it.
2. Test Your Thermostat
Your thermostat is the brain of the whole system.
Turn it to “heat” and set the temperature a few degrees above room temp. Your furnace should come on within 1 or 2 minutes. If it doesn’t turn on, first check your batteries. Nothing? You could have a wiring problem and may want to investigate further.
Hint: Use a programmable thermostat to schedule your furnace. You don’t need it blowing hot air while no one is home.
3. Clear The Area Around The Furnace
Furnaces need space to breathe.
The furnace room can easily become a storage closet over the summer months. Boxes, paint cans and cleaning bottles can be stacked near your furnace. Be sure to move any flammables at least 3 feet away from your unit.
4. Check The Vents And Registers
Walk through every room in your home and look at the vents.
Do any of them have furniture, rugs or curtains on them? Blocked vents cause heat to build up in your ductwork, creating pressure. Remove the blockage, vacuum out the dust and ensure they are open.
5. Inspect The Flue And Vent Pipe
The flue carries harmful gases out of your home. Including carbon monoxide.
Inspect the pipe for rust holes, gaps or loose joints. Any damage found is cause for concern… Have a professional replace it.
6. Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Speaking of carbon monoxide…
You can’t see it. You can’t smell it. And a cracked heat exchanger can leak it right into your home. Push the test button on every CO detector, and replace the batteries. Don’t have one near your bedrooms? Install one before you turn on your heat.
7. Listen For Strange Noises
Turn your furnace on and listen.
If everything is working properly your furnace should hum softly. Any banging, squealing, rattling or grinding is a sign that something is loose, worn or failing. Listen for these sounds in October and you can correct the issue before it gets cold.
8. Check The Pilot Light Or Ignition
Got an older gas furnace? Take a look at the pilot light.
Ideally, it should burn a nice steady blue flame. A yellow flame or a flame that flickers can mean your burner is dirty or that the mix of gas and air is wrong — both can cause CO to develop. New furnaces have electronic ignition, so if yours clicks and clicks and doesn’t light, you’ll need to call a service person.
9. Clean The Blower And Burners
Dust builds up on the blower fan and burners over time.
Dust buildup inhibits performance and lowers your furnace’s efficiency. You can vacuum around the blower compartment (POWER OFF). However, cleaning the burners deeply is best done by a technician.
10. Book A Professional Tune-Up
And here’s the biggie…
Even with everything mentioned above, you should still have an annual professional inspection. During this inspection, a trained technician will:
- Check the heat exchanger for cracks
- Test gas pressure and connections
- Tighten electrical parts
- Lubricate moving parts
On average, a tune-up will cost between $75 and $100. Now think about how much a new furnace costs. It’s a no-brainer.
Signs You Need Repairs Right Now
Sometimes a simple checklist uncovers a bigger problem.
Don’t wait for winter if you notice any of these:
- Energy bills rising for no clear reason
- Some rooms are warm while others stay cold
- The furnace keeps turning on and off
- A burning or gas smell
- Soot around the furnace
These symptoms point to trouble in the system. Repairing the problem now will always be less expensive (and safer) than waiting until the furnace fails on the coldest night of the year.
The Final Checklist Recap
A mid-winter furnace failure is frustrating, freezing and costly. Most can be prevented with an hour or two of maintenance in the fall.
To quickly recap:
- Change the filter and test the thermostat
- Clear the furnace area and every vent
- Check the flue, pilot light and CO detectors
- Listen for odd noises and clean the blower
- Book a professional tune-up
Schedule your furnace maintenance and repair each fall…and it will reward you all winter.
It really is that simple!
