Winter has a way of asking more from your home even before the season arrives. After all, you definitely don’t want to discover there’s an issue with your pipes or furnace in the middle of a freezing snowstorm. In order to keep your house warm and cozy this winter (and help avoid any unnecessary costs or unexpected repairs), it’s a good idea to have your furnace checked before the cold months when it starts working overtime. 

The good news is, there are simple checks you can do entirely yourself—no calling in a professional needed. “For homeowners to get involved and help get their furnace ready for the winter, a mix of simple visual inspections, routine maintenance and a filter change will keep it running safely and efficiently through the winter,” says licensed HVAC contractor and expert Randy Huckstadt. “Being proactive in this regard is much better than being reactive.”

So whether you’re a first-time homeowner or simply looking for an expert-approved refresher ahead of the cold, we with Huckstadt to find out the basics for getting your furnace ready for winter. Below, you’ll find a DIY furnace maintenance checklist courtesy of Huckstadt, along with the steps to take for a quick inspection you can do yourself before turning the heat on.

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DIY Furnace Maintenance Checklist

Homeowners can safely handle basic cleanliness and airflow tasks like the ones below, Huckstadt says. This three-step DIY checklist from Huckstadt covers the primary goals of pre-winter maintenance: ensuring unrestricted airflow, checking safety controls and ensuring clean combustion.

1. Change the air filter.

“A clogged air filter restricts airflow, forces the blower motor to work harder (increasing energy bills), and can cause the furnace to overheat and trip its high-limit switch,” Huckstadt says. That’s why he recommends changing your furnace’s air filter every 30 to 90 days (every month to three months) with standard one-inch filters. It’s a simple, routine task that doesn’t take long, but makes a big difference. 

Related: 5 Home Maintenance Tasks to Do Before December

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2. Clean your thermostat, vents and the area surrounding your furnace.

There are a few key parts of your HVAC system you’ll want to prioritize cleaning too. First, your thermostat. 

“Thermostat operation is very important and often overlooked,” Huckstadt says. “By ensuring the thermostat correctly communicates with the furnace by cycling it through heat and cool and fan before the cold weather sets in will save you a lot of grief.”

Additionally, you can simply clean your thermostat by dusting inside the cover and replacing its batteries annually. 

He also advises cleaning your floor and wall registers, and vacuuming dust and pet hair from vents throughout the house to make sure there’s proper air balancing. And don’t forget to clear the surrounding area around your furnace. More specifically, he recommends keeping a three-foot radius around your furnace free of any clutter, “especially flammable items like paint, gas cans or cardboard.” 

3. Inspect your outdoor vents.

“Walk outside and ensure plastic PVC intake/exhaust pipes (for high-efficiency units) are free of bird nests, leaves or ice,” Huckstadt says. The reason why they need to be clear is because “blocked vents can back up toxic gases, including carbon monoxide, into the living space.”  

Do This 5-Minute Furnace Check Before Turning on the Heat

“Before you flip the thermostat from ‘cool’ to ‘heat’ for the first time, take five minutes to walk down to your furnace with a flashlight and perform this quick safety check,” Huckstadt says.

Start by sniffing the air around the unit, and if you notice a rotten egg-like odor, leave your house immediately and call your gas company. While a faint, dusty “burning” aroma is completely normal within the first 10 to 15 minutes once it’s operating, if it persists, that’s a sign to call in a professional. 

Then, check the panel and vents by making sure the main blower door panel is securely latched and that the visible metal exhaust flue pipe is securely connected without showing heavy rust or holes. 

Next, pull the filter out and look it over. “If it is gray, choked with dust or bowing inward under pressure, slide a brand-new one in before firing up the system,” Huckstadt says. You’ll also want to look at your shutoff valves. The inline valve (which is typically a yellow or red handle on the pipe leading into the furnace) should be parallel to the pipe in the on position. The furnace electrical switch (which looks like a regular light switch on or next to the unit) should be flipped up to the on position too. 

Finally, monitor the first ignition by turning the thermostat up and standing by the furnace to listen. Huckstadt says you should hear the small inducer motor start first, followed by a click/spark or a bright orange glow (the igniter). Within seconds, the gas should smoothly ignite across all burners without any loud popping, banging or delayed ignition noises.

Source:

• Randy Huckstadt is a licensed HVAC contractor and home improvement expert at JustAnswer.

Related: The 8 Home Maintenance Tasks Professionals Say Every Homeowner Should Do Before Winter Arrives