Seasonal Furnace Maintenance Checklist to Maximize Lifespan and Efficiency

A neglected furnace can ramp up energy costs, shorten its lifespan, and even compromise safety. By using the best furnace maintenance checklist, you can stay on top of your seasonal furnace maintenance, increase the longevity of your furnace, and boost its energy efficiency. For any tasks that go beyond DIY seasonal furnace maintenance, you can reach out to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) experts at Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical.

Why Seasonal Furnace Maintenance Matters 

By performing seasonal furnace maintenance, you can extend the lifespan of your furnace. A well-maintained furnace can easily last for 15 to 30 years. 

Besides improving the lifespan of your furnace, routine maintenance ensures your furnace is operating as efficiently as possible. This reduces wear on your HVAC system and also saves money on your energy bills. 

For your loved ones, routine maintenance is key to better air quality and safety. A dirty air filter can cause problems for family members who suffer from allergies or asthma. Additionally, a poorly maintained furnace is more likely to produce carbon monoxide, which can lead to long-term and short-term safety issues. 

Ultimately, proper furnace care is cheaper in the long run than paying for emergency repairs and premature replacements. Instead of worrying about how to handle a furnace failure during a blizzard, you and your loved ones relax comfortably and enjoy better peace of mind.

Seasonal Maintenance Checklist 

To ensure your furnace is fully functional throughout the year, there are a few important tasks you should do during your furnace maintenance checklist. Add a reminder to your calendar to perform seasonal furnace maintenance in the spring and fall. 

Besides your fall and spring maintenance tasks, there are a few year-round maintenance tasks you also need to complete. Most importantly of all, don’t forget to schedule your furnace tune-up with Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical’s team of expert HVAC technicians.

Spring: Pre-Heating Season Prep

After a long winter, your furnace could use some extra love. When spring arrives, take a few moments to replace and clean the air filters. Ideally, this should be done every one to three months, depending on your usage and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Afterward, test the thermostat’s heat mode to make sure it is sensing the temperature and communicating with the furnace properly. If you need to recalibrate the thermostat, you can reach out to our team for help.

Finally, test your home’s carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are fully functional. Replace the batteries as needed.

Fall: Before Cold Weather Arrives

Your fall furnace maintenance checklist will help you prepare your furnace for another season of use. To begin, replace or clean the filters. Wipe down the vents and registers so that they aren’t blocked by dust or debris. 

Afterward, try running your furnace for a few minutes. You should pay attention to its performance. Any strange sounds, unusual smells, or airflow issues are signs that you should reach out for a professional inspection.

At this point, you’ll likely want to have one of our HVAC technicians handle the remaining maintenance tasks. To begin with, we will inspect the furnace’s heat exchanger. Our technician will check important safety features, like the high-limit switch, to make sure they are fully functional.

Next, we’ll clean the blower assembly. The technician will look at the flue to see if there are any leaks that need to be repaired. Finally, we will access and lubricate the motor bearings.

Year-Round DIY Essentials

Besides your seasonal maintenance tasks, there are a few things you should do throughout the year to make sure your furnace lasts as long as possible. With proper care, you can greatly extend the lifespan of your furnace and ensure your home is comfortable all winter.

Throughout the year, you should clean around the furnace. Clutter and debris need to be removed so that there is ample airflow. 

To improve the unit’s airflow, remember to replace the filter every one to three months. This should be done more often if you have pets in your household or simply have a lot of dust.

Furnaces rarely break down without some type of prior warning. Pay attention to any unusual sounds, smells, or performance issues because these can indicate a problem you need to address. You should also monitor your monthly energy bills. If they suddenly increase significantly without any obvious explanation, it could be an early warning that something is going wrong with your furnace.

Signs You Should Call a Pro 

Even with the best care and maintenance, furnace breakdowns will eventually happen. When you need repairs, our team of HVAC experts is on hand with 24/7 emergency repairs and same-day repair services. We can quickly inspect, diagnose, and repair the issue, so your family can feel warm and comfortable again. 

As soon as you notice any of these symptoms, you should immediately reach out to Rogue Valley for professional help.

• Noises: Persistent, unusual noises are a sign that something is wrong with your furnace. While some clicking is normal when the furnace starts or stops, ongoing rattling and clicking sounds may indicate a cracked heat exchanger. Hissing, squealing, banging, and thumping can indicate gas leaks, loose motor belts, delayed gas ignition, or unbalanced motor wheels.
• Energy Bill Spikes: When your energy bill increases suddenly without any reason, there may be something wrong with your HVAC system. 
• Yellow or Discolored Burner Flames: If the burner flame is yellow or discolored, it indicates that there may be combustion issues. For your family’s safety, stop using your furnace and reach out for help immediately. 
• Carbon Monoxide Alarm: If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, you, your family, and your pets should clear the area and call emergency services. Don’t go back inside until first responders give the all-clear. If you have a cracked heat exchanger or flue leaks, it can cause carbon monoxide gas to be released. You should never run your furnace with either of these issues because carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.
• Uneven Heating: Any time you experience uneven heating performance, it is a sign that something is going on with your furnace. Schedule a repair appointment to get the problem diagnosed and repaired. 

Anytime you notice the previous issues, you should always reach out for professional help. Some problems, like delayed gas ignition or a gas leak, can be life-threatening. By getting professional help, you can make sure your family stays warm and safe.

While routine maintenance and timely repairs can extend the lifespan of your furnace, it won’t last forever. Once your furnace hits 15 to 20 years, pay attention to how frequently you have to perform repairs. If you seem to be performing furnace repairs all of the time, it’s time to look into a furnace replacement. 

FAQs About Seasonal Furnace Maintenance in Grants Pass, Oregon

Over time, we’ve heard a few common questions about seasonal furnace maintenance. 

How often should I perform furnace maintenance?

Furnace maintenance should be performed at least once a year. It’s ideal to perform this annual check during the fall so that the furnace is fully ready for the start of winter. Whenever possible, it’s also a good idea to perform a spring check as well.

Your home’s furnace maintenance can make a huge difference to your bottom line. Heating makes up 29% of the typical home’s utility bill. By performing furnace maintenance, sealing ductwork, insulating your home, and getting a smart thermostat, you can save around 30% on your energy bill.

Can I change the air filter myself?

Absolutely. In fact, we highly recommend it. Depending on the manufacturer’s specifications and how dusty it is in your home, you should be changing the air filter every one to three months. We only perform seasonal tune-ups twice per year, so you’ll need to change the air filter in between tune-ups.

You may need to change the air filter more frequently than average if you have:

• Allergy or asthma sufferers in your home
• Pet dander
• Smokers
• Dust
• Wildfire smoke 
• A low-efficiency filter

Additionally, more intensive use of your HVAC system requires more frequent filter changes.

Are carbon monoxide checks necessary?

Absolutely. For the safety of your family and loved ones, you need to perform carbon monoxide checks regularly. These checks are especially important to do after a long summer downtime. 

Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of combustion. Because furnaces rely on combustion to warm the air, they can release carbon monoxide. Normally, this isn’t a problem unless something goes wrong. Because carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas, your family’s health could be at risk without you even realizing it. Each year, there are 15,000 emergency room visits due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Why is the blower assembly important?

By performing your furnace maintenance checklist, you can protect the health of your blower assembly. The blower motor in your HVAC system is responsible for circulating air throughout your home. Over time, dust can build up if the furnace isn’t cleaned and maintained. This dust reduces the airflow and strains the motor.

Fortunately, you can protect the blower motor by performing a few simple maintenance tasks. Besides preventing breakdowns and costly repairs, your routine maintenance can also preserve your energy efficiency.

My furnace is getting old — should I replace it now?

As a general rule, you’ll likely want to have a furnace replacement after your furnace is 15 to 20 years old. Furnaces can often last 15 to 30 years, but their efficiency and safety will start to decline as they age. When you start needing frequent furnace repairs, it’s a sign that your furnace is in need of a replacement. Additionally, you should consider a replacement anytime you have expensive repairs to perform because the cost and benefits of more repairs may not be worth it.

If you are uncertain about whether you need a furnace replacement, you can always reach out to our HVAC technicians for a professional consultation. We can conduct performance checks to see how efficient your furnace is at heating your home. Then, we’ll recommend whether a furnace repair or a new installation will be the best option.

How do you extend a furnace’s lifespan?

Following a furnace maintenance checklist can help extend its lifespan. To help your furnace operate at its best, remember to use the following tips.

• Make sure there are no obstructions in the way of vents and registers. 
• Regularly replace your air filters.
• Insulate your home to prevent heat loss and reduce your furnace’s workload.
• Schedule annual tune-ups.
• Set your thermostat lower so that you don’t overwork the system.
• Seal ductwork so that your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard.
• Call for furnace repairs early before they have a chance to escalate.

Can a furnace last 40 years?

Yes, but you should never keep a furnace for 40 years because of the many safety, efficiency, and part availability concerns. If you’re willing to keep repairing and replacing parts forever, you can potentially keep a furnace operational for multiple decades. However, just because it can be done, does not mean that it is a good idea.

For example, older furnaces weren’t designed with the high-efficiency components that today’s furnaces have. Even if the furnace operates fine, it will use significantly more energy to do so. Performance levels also decline with age, so your older, inefficient furnace will only become less efficient.

Even if a furnace lasts 40 years, you shouldn’t keep using it. At this age, the furnace is far more likely to have safety issues like a cracked heat exchanger, which can put your loved ones at risk. On a practical level, it will become increasingly difficult to find replacement parts for an older furnace model that is no longer in production.

Prepare Your Home for Year-Round HVAC Comfort in Grants Pass, OR

Ready to keep your furnace running longer, safer, and more efficiently? Besides completing your furnace maintenance checklist, you can reach out to Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical for help with your seasonal furnace maintenance tune-up, safety inspections, and performance optimization. With the help of our top-rated HVAC technicians, you can make sure your home is safe and comfortable all winter. 

Schedule your appointment now or call us to set up your furnace maintenance service.