Is Your Furnace Ready for Winter? 6 Tasks You Can't Afford to Skip

You're Not Ready for Another Rochester Winter If Your Furnace Isn't

Remember last February when the temperature dropped to -15°F and stayed there for a week? Your furnace worked around the clock, and you probably held your breath every time it cycled on, hoping it wouldn't give up when you needed it most.

If you're like most homeowners, you don't think about your furnace much during the warmer months. It sits quietly in your basement, and as long as it's not making noise or costing you money, it's out of sight and out of mind. But Rochester winters don't care if you've been ignoring your furnace all year - they're coming whether you're ready or not.

Here's the thing: your furnace is about to become the hardest-working system in your home for the next five to six months. And if it's not properly maintained, you're setting yourself up for higher energy bills, uncomfortable rooms that never seem to warm up, or that nightmare scenario we've all heard about - a complete breakdown during the coldest week of the year.

The good news? Most furnace problems are preventable with some simple maintenance tasks you can do now, before you really need your heating system. We've been helping Rochester families stay warm through brutal winters for over 35 years, and we've learned exactly which steps make the difference between a comfortable winter and a stressful one.

Why Your Furnace Maintenance Actually Matters (More Than You Think)

You might be thinking, "My furnace worked fine last winter, so it'll probably be fine this winter too." But that's like saying your car ran fine last year, so you don't need to change the oil or check the tires.

Here's what happens when you skip maintenance:

Your furnace has to work harder to heat your home, which shows up as higher energy bills every month. Parts wear out faster when they're struggling against dirty filters and blocked airflow. And most seriously, neglected furnaces can develop dangerous problems like cracked heat exchangers that leak carbon monoxide - something you definitely can't see or smell until it's too late.

When you stay on top of maintenance:

Your furnace runs efficiently, keeping your energy costs as low as possible during those expensive winter months. You avoid emergency repair calls (which always cost more and happen at the worst times). Most importantly, you have peace of mind knowing your family is safe and your home will stay warm no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.

The 6 Things You Need to Do Before Winter Hits

1. Replace That Dirty Furnace Filter (Yes, It Really Matters)

When was the last time you looked at your furnace filter? If you can't remember, it's probably time to check it. A dirty filter is like trying to breathe through a pillow - your furnace has to work incredibly hard to pull air through all that buildup.

You'll spend $10-30 on a standard filter, and it takes about two minutes to replace. During heating season, check it monthly and replace it every 1-3 months depending on how dirty it gets. If you have pets, kids, or anyone with allergies, you might need to change it more often.

Why this matters: A clean filter not only helps your furnace run efficiently, but it also improves the air quality in your home. Your family is breathing this air all winter long.

2. Give Your Thermostat Some Attention

Your thermostat is basically the brain of your heating system, but if it's not working properly, your furnace doesn't know what to do. Before winter starts, check that your thermostat is responding correctly and change the batteries if it uses them.

If you're still dealing with one of those old manual thermostats that you have to constantly adjust, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart version. They cost $150-300 installed, but they can save you money by automatically lowering the temperature when you're sleeping or away from home.

Why this matters: A malfunctioning thermostat can make your furnace run constantly (expensive) or not enough (cold house). Either way, you're not comfortable.

3. Clean Your Vents and Registers (And Check Your Ducts Too)

Take a walk around your house and look at your heat vents. Are they dusty? Blocked by furniture? When vents are dirty or blocked, your furnace has to work harder to heat your home, and some rooms might never feel comfortable.

Vacuum your registers and wipe them down - this costs you nothing but a little time. If you notice that certain rooms always feel cold or drafty, your ducts might need professional attention. Professional duct cleaning runs $300-600 in Monroe County, but it can make a huge difference in how evenly your home heats.

Why this matters: Clean, unobstructed airflow means every room in your house gets the heat it needs, and your furnace doesn't have to strain to do its job.

4. Test Your Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors

This isn't optional - it's literally a matter of life and death. Your furnace burns fuel to create heat, which means there's always a possibility of carbon monoxide production if something goes wrong. Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless, and deadly.

Test all your detectors, replace the batteries, and if any detector is more than seven years old, replace the whole unit. Detectors cost $30-50 each, which is nothing compared to protecting your family's safety.

Why this matters: We can't stress this enough - carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, but only if your detectors are working properly.

5. Schedule a Professional Furnace Inspection

You can handle the basic maintenance tasks, but some things require a trained eye and proper tools. A professional inspection covers checking your burners, ignition system, blower motor, heat exchanger, and all the safety controls that keep your system running safely and efficiently.

A furnace inspection in Rochester typically costs $100-200, which might seem like an expense you'd rather avoid. But consider this: if your heat exchanger cracks (something only a professional can properly diagnose), you're looking at $1,500-3,000 in repairs, or possibly needing to replace your entire furnace.

Why this matters: Some problems can only be caught by someone who knows what to look for. An annual inspection catches small issues before they become expensive emergencies.

6. Test Your Furnace Before You Actually Need It

Don't wait until the first cold snap to find out your furnace isn't working properly. In early fall, when the weather is still mild, turn your thermostat up and run your furnace through a complete cycle.

Listen for unusual noises, check that warm air is coming out of all your vents, and pay attention to any strange smells. If something seems off, you have time to get it fixed before you're desperate for heat.

Why this matters: It's much easier and less expensive to fix problems in October than it is in January when every HVAC company in Rochester is booked solid with emergency calls.

The Questions You're Probably Asking Right Now

"How often do I really need professional furnace service?"

Once a year, ideally in early fall before you start using it heavily. Here in Rochester, where furnaces run hard from November through March, annual service is your best insurance against mid-winter breakdowns.

"Is furnace maintenance really worth the cost?"

A basic tune-up costs $100-200, which is a lot less than an emergency repair call in the middle of winter (which can easily cost $300-500 just for the service call). Plus, a well-maintained furnace uses less energy, so you save money on your heating bills all winter long.

"What can I do myself, and what should I leave to professionals?"

You can safely handle filter changes, vent cleaning, and detector testing. But anything involving gas connections, electrical components, or internal furnace parts should be left to licensed technicians. Furnace safety isn't worth risking a DIY mistake.

Some Extra Tips to Make Winter Easier

• Buy several filters at the beginning of heating season so you're never caught without one

• Keep at least three feet of clear space around your furnace - no storage, no clutter

• Change your carbon monoxide detector batteries when you change your clocks for daylight saving time

• Set your thermostat a few degrees lower at night or when you're away - you can save 10-15% on heating costs without sacrificing comfort

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late

Nobody wants to deal with a furnace breakdown when it's 10 below zero outside. The time to think about your heating system is now, while you can still get service appointments easily and before you're desperate for heat.

We've been helping Rochester families prepare for winter for over 35 years, and we've seen what happens when people wait too long to address furnace problems. The homeowners who stay ahead of maintenance are the ones who stay warm and comfortable all winter long, while spending less money on energy bills and avoiding emergency repairs.

Ready to make sure your furnace is ready for whatever this winter throws at us? Give Wischmeyer's Plumbing Plus a call today. We'll help you get prepared so you can focus on enjoying a warm, comfortable home instead of worrying about whether your heat will keep working.