How to get your furnace ready for fall

With temperatures taking a dip, it's only a matter of time before you fire up the furnace. Though it's been a long summer season, temperature predictions in Salt Lake City show the next couple of weeks reaching lows in the 30s.

Before you switch to your furnace in the evenings, make sure it's functioning well — and safely — now. Here's a simple checklist of things you should do to get your furnace ready for the (late) fall season.

Start with a clean filter

This is something anyone can do. Check your heater to see what size and kind of filter it requires, and replace it with a new one. Starting clean will ensure your furnace doesn't have to work harder than it should. According to This Old House, a dirty air filter can drive up your heating bill and even shorten the life of your furnace.

You'll also reduce the amount of allergens and dust in your home with a clean filter.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends changing your filter every month during heavy use months.

Clean up around your furnace

It may seem like a silly chore, but keeping a clean area around your furnace is important.

Dan Simms, writing for Angi, says you should keep anything flammable at least three feet away from the unit.

Creating an environment with ample ventilation is not only going to be safer for your home, but will also help your furnace function longer.

Upgrade to an efficient thermostat

Save some money this fall and winter by optimizing your heating system. If your thermostat isn't programmable, you are losing the opportunity to keep your furnace running efficiently.

According to the Department of Energy, you can actually save money by setting your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for an eight-hour block every day. With a thermostat you can program or even control from your phone, you can make sure your house is back up to a comfortable temperature by the time you get home.

The Department of Energy reports you can save up to 10% on heating costs using this programmable schedule.

Ensure your carbon monoxide detectors are working

Since you haven't been running your furnace for months, you'll want to make sure you can identify issues that you can't see — or smell. The Centers for Disease Control recommends getting your furnace inspected every year to make sure it's not leaking carbon monoxide.

The CDC reports more than 400 people die in America each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. By having functioning detectors and hiring a professional to inspect your furnace, you can prevent serious illness or death.

Turn it on before you need to

While the outside temps are still mild, turn the heater on. It sounds counterintuitive, but turning it on while you don't need the heat is how you can identify problems in time to have them fixed.

Test your furnace to see if it's efficiently increasing the heat in your home. If it's happening too slowly — or not at all — it's imperative to learn that before the first snowstorm strikes.

Hire a pro for an inspection

Above all, having a professional look at your furnace every year is a good idea. Not only will they be able to spot and correct problems, but they can keep it running smoothly for years to come.

The Just Right Plumbing, Heating & Cooling team uses a comprehensive tune-up checklist to make sure your furnace is in tip-top condition. Not only will they make sure the furnace itself is functioning correctly, but they'll also clean the unit and parts, and lubricate the moving parts to extend the equipment's life.

Finding someone you trust to tune up your furnace is important. Just Right Plumbing, Heating and Cooling has an average rating of 4.9 stars on Google and more than 2,000 stories of positive experiences.

They also offer a full no-breakdown guarantee on their service ensuring your system is fully covered for six months.

To schedule your furnace tune-up and get ready for the cold months ahead, visit the Just Right website or call 801-923-7924.

Related topics