How to Prepare Your Furnace for Winter: Essential Maintenance Tips

Your furnace becomes the heart of your home when the cold months start, pumping heat all throughout your household and keeping everyone in it warm and comfortable. This is to say that your furnace is intrinsic to your quality of life, so keeping it maintained is a big priority. But what’s the best way to go about it? In this article, we’ll give you a rundown on all the best ways to prepare your furnace for whatever it might face.

Why Furnace Maintenance Becomes More Valuable Before Winter

Your furnace is a cornerstone of your home, and it becomes even more of a critical part of your comfort in the winter. The cold icy season is the furnace’s time to shine, but do you really need to inspect and maintain it every year? The answer is that while you might be able to function without inspecting your furnace every year, your furnace might not. Of course, you’re not always going to find a problem—but when the alternative is unexpected breakdowns, raised energy bills, and safety hazards, why not take a few extra steps to keep it running well?

Inspecting Your Furnace

Basic Inspection

Before you turn on your furnace this season, start with a basic inspection. Look for any visible signs of damage, such as rust, cracks, or loose components. Make sure about three feet of the surrounding area is clean, so that when it does turn on, nothing gets burnt.

Thermostat

Next, test your thermostat. Set it to “heat” and adjust to your desired setting. If the furnace doesn’t respond promptly or the temperature in your home seems to fluctuate, it may be time for a replacement. Smart thermostats can offer better control, and even reduce energy bills.

Spotting Early Furnace Warning Signs

Knowing what to look for is the first step of taking care of any small problems before they become big enough to stress about. Some common red flags for furnace issues are:

• Unusual noises like banging, squealing, or rattling.
• Inconsistent temperatures across rooms.
• Unpleasant odors from vents, which could indicate a gas furnace issue.

Any of these symptoms are your cue to dig a little deeper—whether an easy fix or something that requires a professional’s trained eye, at least you can rest easy knowing that your furnace is problem-free.

Cleaning and Replacing Filters

One of the simplest, yet most effective ways to keep your furnace running well is keeping up with cleaning or replacing its filters. Not only does it increase airflow and energy efficiency, but it also keeps the air quality in your home fresh and clean. For most furnaces, air filters should be replaced every 1-3 months. If you have pets, you may need to replace them more frequently. Make sure to use filters that are compatible with your furnace’s specific model, otherwise they will not work as intended.

Cleaning Furnace Components

The Furnace Itself

Dust and debris will accumulate on your furnace over time, which can sometimes affect its performance. Make sure to use a soft brush or vacuum to clean the individual parts of the machine from time to time, especially around the fan and blower motor.

Other Components

Try also to inspect your vents and ducts for blockages, as they can cause uneven heating and stuffiness in your home when they are clogged.

Inspecting Duct Work for Leaks

Finding the Leak

Leaky ducts can waste both warm air and expensive energy, forcing your furnace to work harder to maintain your set temperature. To avoid these issues, keep an eye out for visible gaps and holes in your ductwork. If you can’t find any suspected leaks visually, using an incense stick also works well.

Patching Up

For small holes, tears, and gaps, a strip of foiling tape or mastic sealant is all you need. However, larger problems like significant gaps or consistent breakage call for a larger solution. If you find yourself facing an issue you can’t deal with on your own, your best bet is to contact a professional.

Enhancing Efficiency in Extreme Cold

With the drop in temperature comes a rise in strain for your furnace, but the winter doesn’t have to take a toll on your finances just because your furnace is working harder to keep you warm. Some of the best ways to reduce some of that stress are:

• Keep curtains open during the day to let in sunlight for natural warmth, and close them at night to retain it.
• Keep vents unobstructed.
• Consider using space heaters in occupied rooms to supplement your furnace.

Closing Thoughts

Preparing your furnace for winter ensures that it runs effectively and efficiently, lowers heating costs, and keeps your home warm all winter long. From replacing filters to keeping up on the state of your ductwork, each step makes for a cozy and stress-free winter season.

Why Trust Infinity Heating & Air?

Washington is home turf for us, and we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service to our neighbors with expertise catered to their unique needs in our beautiful state—winter through summer. Whether you need routine maintenance, repairs, or a new furnace installation, we’re here to make sure that you experience endless comfort in every season.