Pre-Winter Furnace Maintenance Checklist for Homeowners

Routine furnace inspections will alert you to any serious issues requiring professional maintenance or repair. Following a homeowner’s furnace maintenance checklist will keep your heating system running efficiently and safely during the most demanding time of the year.

While most furnace repairs should be entrusted to professionals, homeowners can perform certain maintenance tasks to prepare for colder weather. These furnace maintenance tasks will ensure your heating system runs more efficiently and affordably. Make sure these items are on your furnace maintenance checklist:

  • Replace the furnace filter: As the heating system circulates air, buildup forms on the filter from dust, fibers, pet dander, and other airborne particles. Over time, these particles block airflow, forcing the furnace to work harder and raising your energy bills. Stay on top of this with furnace inspections and filter replacements every few months of use, checking and changing the filter at the start of the heating season is also a recommended best practice.
  • Adjust the thermostat to the correct winter settings: If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, install one. Then, program the settings to match your winter schedule. Eventually, these smart devices pay for themselves by maintaining a more consistent temperature throughout the year.
  • Open all return and supply registers: If you closed the air vents over the summer, reopen them before running the furnace. Also, check the vents to make sure no furniture, rugs, boxes, or curtains block the airflow.
  • Examine the burner flames: They should be a steady blue color. If you see orange or yellow flickering flames, turn off the furnace and call a heating professional for a furnace inspection and any necessary adjustments.
  • Listen for strange noises: If you hear your furnace booming, clicking, squealing, or making other odd sounds, ask a professional for guidance.
  • Pay attention to any strange odors: A rotten egg smell coming from the furnace could indicate a natural gas leak. Exit your house immediately, then call the fire department and an HVAC company to investigate further.