Five Furnace Maintenance Tips To Follow This Fall

With the colder weather steadily creeping into the Twin Cities area, it’s more important than ever for homeowners to consider their furnace maintenance needs. A well-maintained furnace is particularly important for people living in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area as Minnesota winters can be incredibly brutal. By ensuring your furnace maintenance needs are met, you can help save on energy costs and prevent unexpected breakdowns.

In this blog post, we’ll provide you with some essential fall furnace maintenance tips to help you keep your heating system running smoothly this season.

1. Change the Air Filter

One of the simplest yet most impactful maintenance tasks you can perform for your furnace is changing its air filter. Clogged and dirty filters can restrict your unit’s airflow, making it struggle to keep up with your comfort demands and reducing its efficiency as a result. Not only can this lead to higher energy bills, but it also places an extra strain on your furnace, increasing its risk for premature replacement.

We recommend checking your air filter once a month, and cleaning or replacing it as needed to ensure proper airflow. If you’re unsure about the frequency with which your filter should be changed, check the manufacturer’s guidelines for more specific information.

2. Clean Vents & Ducts

Another way to ensure proper airflow with your furnace is to keep all vents and air ducts clean and clear of obstructions. Blocked vents can lead to uneven heating and reduced system efficiency, making it difficult for your home to reach the desired temperature.

Reaching inside your ductwork to ensure a deep clean can be difficult without the proper tools or knowledge. If you’re uncomfortable performing this task yourself, consider hiring an HVAC technician for professional duct cleaning services ahead of the winter season.

3. Seal Leaks & Insulate

The biggest drain on comfort and energy expenses comes from hidden leaks within your ductwork, as well as drafty windows and doors. Take the time to seal drafts around windows, doors, and air ducts to prevent against heat loss and reduce the workload on your furnace.

It’s also important to ensure your home is well-insulated. Proper insulation help retain heat and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature throughout the cold season. Consider adding weather stripping around windows and doors to keep the cold air out.

4. Conduct a Thermostat Test

Before the cold weather settles in the Twin Cities, you need to make sure your thermostat works. Replace the batteries as needed and set the temperature to a comfortable level to ensure your furnace starts and stops as expected.

Additionally, if you don’t have one installed already, it may be time to consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat. They allow you to preset your desired temperature based on your daily routine, ensuring greater energy efficiency and comfort when your home needs it most.

5. Schedule Professional Furnace Maintenance

While some furnace maintenance tasks can be performed on your own, it’s important to understand that these can’t substitute professional maintenance. A certified technician should carefully assess our unit each year to clean its components and identify any issues before they escalate into full-fledged emergencies.

Routine maintenance doesn’t just help catch furnace repair needs early — it’s also incredibly beneficial for your system. Annual furnace tune-ups can extend your system life span, improve overall performance, and ensure compliance with your manufacturer warranty, preventing you from footing the bill for premature repairs and replacements.

Trust Dean’s Home Services With Your Fall Furnace Tune-Up!

As the leaves fall and the weather gets colder, Dean’s Home Services is here to help with all your furnace maintenance needs. We proudly offer comprehensive tune-up solutions designed to keep your system in proper working condition — even on the coldest days of the year.

Don’t neglect your heating system’s maintenance needs. Call Dean’s Home Services at 763-515-4852 to schedule a furnace tune-up today!