In this article…
- 8 Furnace Maintenance Tips for Winter
- The Benefits of Regular Furnace Maintenance
- The Risk of Neglecting Furnace Maintenance
- Properly Caring For Your Furnace During The Winter
Winter brings many joys to our lives, like enjoying a warm cup of hot cocoa, wearing your favorite sweaters, and enjoying time with family and friends.
But as you go on with your day-to-day lives in cold temperatures, there’s one hero working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep you and your home warm and snug—your furnace.
Just like any other appliance in your home, your furnace requires routine care and maintenance to ensure it’s ready to face the harsh Pennsylvania winter.
So, before you’re left shivering in your living room, it’s important to know proper maintenance for your furnace and understand the benefits and potential risks of neglecting it.
At DEETS Mechanical, we’ve been the expert HVAC company for all homeowners in the Northwestern Pennsylvania region since 2001, providing you with high-quality products and services to keep you and your family safe and comfortable.
The last thing you want is for your furnace to go out in the middle of a gruesome snowstorm or cold spell. That’s why we’re here to provide you with proper maintenance tips and get your furnace ready for the season (before it gets even colder).
This article will outline eight essential furnace maintenance tips along with why it’s beneficial to care for your furnace.
8 Furnace Maintenance Tips for Winter
The further we glide through winter, the more critical your furnace becomes to keeping your home warm and comfortable.
To ensure it runs efficiently and safely, taking proactive measures to maintain your furnace is crucial. Here are some key preventive maintenance tips and safety measures to keep your system in top shape all winter long.
1. Change Air Filter Regularly
Furnace filters trap dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles. Over time, these filters can become clogged, forcing your furnace to work harder and potentially leading to breakdowns.
Depending on usage, the presence of pets, or if you smoke indoors, you may need to change the filter every 1-3 months, depending on if they are 1 or 2-inch filters. However, larger filters, like media filters, can last anywhere from 6-9 months.
A clean filter improves airflow, enhances energy efficiency, and helps maintain better indoor air quality.
2. Keep Vents Clear
Ensure vents are not blocked by furniture, curtains, or other objects that could restrict airflow. Blocked vents can cause uneven heating and put unnecessary strain on your furnace, causing it to work twice as hard for the same output.
To maintain cleanliness, vacuum the vents regularly and check for any debris or blockages inside the ductwork.
3. Clean Around Your Furnace
The area around your furnace should be free from dust, dirt, and clutter to avoid overheating and strain on the system.
Dust can easily build up on critical components of your system, like the blower motor, heat exchanger, and burners, reducing efficiency and increasing the risk of overheating.
Use a vacuum or damp cloth to clean the area regularly and ensure proper airflow around the unit.
4. Maintain Outdoor Units
The outdoor component of your HVAC unit is just as important as your furnace indoors.
Keep the area around your outdoor unit clear of snow, ice, and debris. This prevents blockages and ensures optimal airflow.
Maintaining at least 2-3 feet of clearance around the unit also helps reduce wear and tear.
5. Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are vital for your safety, especially when there is gas in your home.
Test them monthly to ensure they are working correctly, and replace batteries at least twice a year. Replace the entire detecting unit if it’s over 7-10 years old.
These devices are your first line of defense against potentially fatal issues like fires or carbon monoxide leaks.
6. Check Your Pilot Light
The pilot light on your furnace is responsible for correctly burning the natural gas going to your system and heating your home. Essentially, if the pilot light is not lit, there is no heat.
A properly functioning pilot light should burn blue. If it’s yellow or flickering, it may indicate a ventilation issue or potential gas leak.
If this is the case, contact a professional HVAC company to inspect the system and ensure safe operation.
Do you need furnace maintenance? Contact DEETS Mechanical today!
7. Clean Drain Pipes
Furnaces often have condensate drain pipes that can become clogged with dirt or debris over time. Blockages can lead to water damage, reduced efficiency, and potential leaks from your system.
Check the pipes regularly and use a mixture of water and vinegar to flush the drain line if necessary.
8. Schedule Regular Inspections
The best way to ensure your furnace is ready for freezing is by scheduling a maintenance call with a professional HVAC company.
A licensed HVAC technician will check for leaks, inspect electrical components, clean internal parts, and ensure the overall functionality of your furnace. Scheduling an inspection annually—ideally before winter—can save you from costly repairs later.
Professional inspections are crucial to catching small issues before they become major problems.
The Benefits of Regular Furnace Maintenance
Regularly maintaining your furnace year-round is crucial for the health and longevity of your system as well as the comfort and safety of your family and your home.
While there are virtually no negatives to properly maintaining your furnace, there are several advantages, including
- Improved Air Quality (IAQ): Clean filters and components reduce the amount of dust and allergens circulating in your home, promoting a higher IAQ, reduced allergens, and healthier living conditions.
- Energy Efficiency: A well-maintained furnace operates more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and saving you money on utility bills.
- Longer Lifespan: Proper care ensures your furnace performs optimally for its full expected lifespan, maximizing your investment and reducing the need for constant repairs.
- Fewer Breakdowns: Routine maintenance helps prevent unexpected failures, saving you from inconvenient and costly repairs during the peak heating season.
- Warranty Compliance: Many manufacturers require regular maintenance to keep warranties valid. Neglecting maintenance could void your warranty, leaving you unprotected against defects.
The Risks of Neglecting Furnace Maintenance
Neglecting to maintain your furnace can lead to several serious risks, including carbon monoxide poisoning and decreasing the overall efficiency of your HVAC system.
Maintaining your furnace doesn’t have to be difficult. However, if you fail to take care of it, you risk the following:
- Poor Indoor Air Quality: Dust, allergens, and pollutants can build up in your furnace and circulate through your home, exacerbating allergies and respiratory issues if you fail to replace your filters and clean around the unit.
- House Fires: Issues like loose wiring, pilot light malfunctions, or excessive dust buildup can increase the risk of a fire, which is the biggest risk of avoiding a faulty furnace.
- Increased Energy Bills: A poorly maintained furnace is less efficient and uses more energy, leading to higher monthly utility costs.
- Breakdowns and Early Wear: Regular maintenance extends your furnace’s lifespan. Without it, parts wear out faster, leading to costly repairs or replacements.
- Gas Leaks: Corrosion or poor connections can lead to gas leaks, which are hazardous to both health and safety.
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A broken furnace can allow carbon monoxide to mix with the air in your home. Extended exposure can cause headaches, nausea, or even death. If your carbon monoxide detectors also aren’t working, this is another risk of neglect.
Properly Caring For Your Furnace During The Winter
Now that you know some simple furnace maintenance tips, the benefits of caring for your furnace, and the potential risks of neglecting maintenance, you’re ready to keep your family warm all season.
Regular maintenance all year round is essential to keep your furnace happy and healthy to maintain your home’s comfort through the winter.
If you neglect your furnace, you risk
- Frequent and pesky breakdowns
- Costly energy bills
- Poor indoor air quality
- And possible gas leaks, electrical fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning
By taking proactive measures to maintain your furnace, like changing air filters regularly, cleaning around the unit, and scheduling regular preseason tune-ups, you can ensure you stay warm, avoid breakdowns and shut-offs, and improve the longevity of your system.
DEETS Mechanical is here to provide you with everything you need to know to maintain your furnace and stay safe and comfortable, no matter the time of year. Having the right information to avoid potential problems and knowing how to address them in case of emergency is crucial.
The wintertime is stressful enough, and the last thing you want is for your furnace to go out.
To prepare for the worst of the season, read this article that includes 10 common furnace problems you may run into this winter and how to troubleshoot them easily.

Ready to schedule your winter tune-up with a company you can trust? Schedule your appointment with DEETS today!