Winter Furnace Maintenance: Essential Prep Tips

Winter is coming! As the Portland and Vancouver areas continue cooling down it’s worth preparing to get your furnace ready for the season. The last thing you want to do is wake up to a freezing house in the middle of January. 

Proactive maintenance can assure your furnace is running smoothly and efficiently during the cold months. This will also help you cut back on energy costs. If you’re not sure where to start, continue reading for our complete guide to furnace maintenance! 

Why Furnace Maintenance is Crucial for Portland and Vancouver Homeowners

The Pacific Northwest might not have the snowiest winters in the United States. But there is usually at least one or two big storms, plus it does get damp and chilly. Nothing puts a furnace to the test like long bouts of rain, freezing rain and snow. 

Portland and Vancouver temperatures can often hover just above freezing. This is why having a reliable heating system is a must.

When you skip out on regular maintenance, dust and debris can build up in your furnace, forcing it to work harder than it should. This means higher energy bills without the desired warmth. Plus, the more and more you neglect your syste, the more likely your are to deal with more serious problems, like unexpected breakdownsl.

Essential Steps for Preparing Your Furnace for Winter

Preparing your furnace for winter is essential to keep your home warm and cozy throughout the season. If you’re wondering how to turn on your gas furnace for winter or need tips on getting your heater ready, there are a few key maintenance steps to consider.

From servicing your furnace to ensuring it’s free of dust and debris, these tasks will help you stay ahead of any issues. It will also keep your system running efficiently all winter long.

Replace or Clean Air Filters

One of the best ways to keep your furnace happy is by replacing or cleaning the air filters. 

When your furnace filter is clogged, your furnace has to work harder to push air through. This means higher energy bills and inefficiency. Before winter hits, it’s a good idea to check your filters at least once a month and replace or clean them as needed. 

Inspect and Clean the Furnace and Surrounding Area

Your furnace deserves a little love, and that starts with giving it a good cleaning. 

Open up the furnace cabinet and gently dust the inside, paying attention to any visible dirt or debris. Don’t forget to clear out the area around the furnace, too. Clutter can restrict airflow and pose a safety risk, especially if there are flammable items nearby. 

Check the Thermostat and Settings

Now is the time to check your thermostat and make sure it’s reading the temperature accurately. 

If your home isn’t as warm as it should be, the thermostat might be off. 

If you’re dealing with an old, clunky thermostat, it might be the perfect time to consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat. 

Test Your Furnace Before Cold Weather Arrives

Don’t wait for the first freezing night of the winter to turn on your furnace!

Fire it up on a nice day and listen for any unusual sounds like banging or rattling, which could indicate a problem. It’s also important to check that the furnace ignites properly and that warm air is flowing through the vents. 

If something seems off, it might be time to call in a professional! 

Schedule a Professional Furnace Inspection

How to Service a Furnace for Winter

While there are many thing you can do on your own, nothing beats having a professional HVAC technician give your furnace a thorough once-over. With regular inspections, you can catch potential issues before they grow. 

Common Furnace Problems to Watch For

Furnace Winter Maintenance

Knowing what to look out for can save you from bigger headaches and tear-inducing repair bills down the road. Here are some common furnace issues to keep an eye on:

Unusual Noises or Smells

Does your furnace smell like a campfire or are you hearing weird noises like banging, rattling, or squealing? These are signs that something’s off. Anytime you catch these warning signs, it’s best to call in a professional to take a closer look.

Short Cycling

If your furnace keeps turning on and off in quick cycles, that means it’s short cycling. 

While there are many potential causes here, dirty air filters and bad thermostats are usually the issue.

Pilot Light or Ignition Issues

A healthy pilot light burns blue. If yours is yellow or flickering, that could signal a ventilation issue or a problem with the gas supply. If your furnace is struggling to stay lit or ignite properly, it could be anything from a dirty burner to an issue with the thermocouple. While relighting the pilot light can sometimes solve the problem, ongoing ignition issues are best handled by a technician.

How to Improve Furnace Efficiency This Winter

If you want to keep your home warm without running up your energy bills this winter, you have to make your furnace work smarter, not harder. 

Here are a few tips to get you there:

Seal and Insulate Ductwork

f your ductwork isn’t sealed properly, warm air can escape before it ever reaches your living space. That means your furnace has to run longer to keep up. 

Sealing and insulating your ducts keeps air moving where it should, which can make a major difference in terms of comfort and cost.

Use Ceiling Fans to Distribute Heat

By switching your ceiling fan to spin clockwise at a low speed in the winter, you can push rising warm air back down into your living space. It’s one secret way to distribute heat more evenly throughout your home.

Adjust Thermostat Settings Wisely

We always recommend homeowners lower the temperature by just a few degrees when they’re asleep or away from home to save money. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, you can schedule these adjustments automatically, so you never even have to think about it!

The Benefits of Regular Furnace Maintenance for Homeowners

When you keep up with regular maintenance, it can pay off big in the long run. 

Here are some of the main benefits of creating a routine starting today! 

Improved Comfort and Air Quality

Regular maintenance can keep your heat consistent and improve the air you breathe. 

A clean furnace means fewer allergens, dust, and other particles circulating through your home!

Lower Energy Bills

Secondly, and though it might seem obvious, the more efficiently your furnace runs, the less energy it’ll use to keep your home warm. Preventive maintenance is the key here for an energy efficient home. Fix small issues now and you won’t have to worry about them becoming major problems down the line.

Extended Furnace Lifespan

Just like your car needs an oil change every 5,000 miles or so, giving your furnace an annual tune-up can help extend its lifespan. 

As we said earlier, getting regular inspections can catch issues early on so you can catch problems before they get bigger.

When to Consider Replacing Your Furnace

There comes a time when your furnace will reach the end of its life. 

The question is knowing when that is. You can trust us, that you don't want to deal with this during the winter months.

Age and Efficiency Considerations

Most furnaces need an upgrade after running for up to 15-20 years.

Older furnaces also tend to lose some of their efficiency over time. This wear and tear then results more energy to be used to make the same amount of heat. Upgrading to one of the newer high-efficiency models can make quite a difference in your energy bills.

According to many professionals, you may be able to save up to 10% just by going to a high-efficiency unit!

Frequent Repairs and Rising Costs

Another clue that you should get a replacement is when you are frequently calling for repairs. 

When it gets too expensive to repair your furnace, it will be cheaper to buy a new one.

Finding a Trusted HVAC Contractor in Portland and Vancouver

The question of routine maintenance or replacement involves a number of considerations. 

First, there’s searching for certified contractors with experience.

We recommend looking for certified contractors serving both Portland and Vancouver areas. Choosing a local HVAC company very often means quicker responses and personalized services from professionals who actually care about your community.

Conclusion: Get Your Furnace Winter-Ready Today!

There is literally no better time to get your HVAC systems in tip-top shape than right before winter. 

A little proactive maintenance can make this process pretty smooth. 

Schedule a professional furnace inspection today and be ready to meet the winter season. If you’re in Portland or Vancouver, our reliable heating and cooling experts are ready to help you out with inspections, tune-ups, repairs, and replacements.

Call us today to get started!