What to Know Before Turning on Your Furnace This Winter

JOPLIN, Mo. — As colder temperatures approach, local HVAC professionals are reminding homeowners to take a few safety precautions before turning on their furnaces for the winter.

Tony Lowery of Satterlee Plumbing and HVAC recently joined Newstalk KZRG to discuss furnace maintenance and some of the warning signs homeowners should watch for as they prepare for colder weather.

Lowery said one of the first things homeowners should check is their furnace filter.

"First of all, you want to make sure that your filters are clean for the winter," Lowery said.

For homes with gas furnaces, Lowery also recommends checking the furnace flue to make sure it is not blocked by debris or even a bird's nest. A blocked flue can prevent exhaust gases from properly venting and create a carbon monoxide hazard.

He said homeowners with gas furnaces should also have a working carbon monoxide detector.

"Usually we recommend in the fall, you replace the batteries in those to make sure that if you have issues with carbon monoxide that your detectors work," Lowery said.

Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous because it cannot be seen or smelled, and Lowery said carbon monoxide poisoning continues to cause deaths each year.

What about that burning smell?

It is not necessarily unusual for a furnace to produce a slight burning or dusty smell the first time it is turned on for the season.

Lowery said dust can accumulate on the furnace during the warmer months, creating a temporary odor when the system first runs.

However, if the smell continues, homeowners should have the furnace inspected.

"If the smell continues, then it's probably something you need to definitely call and have checked out," Lowery said.

Don't forget about your filter

A dirty or clogged filter can also cause problems with a heating system by restricting airflow.

Lowery said HVAC technicians frequently encounter systems where filters have not been changed in a long time, which can prevent a unit from operating properly.

Homeowners with heat pump systems have another maintenance consideration. Heat pumps draw heat from the outdoor air and operate similarly to an air conditioner in reverse during heating mode.

Lowery cautioned homeowners against attempting to clean the outdoor coils themselves with excessive water pressure, saying the fins can be bent and damaged. He recommends having a professional perform that maintenance.

Fall maintenance can help

Satterlee Plumbing and HVAC typically performs routine maintenance in the spring and fall, before homeowners begin relying heavily on their heating and cooling systems.

Lowery said the company has already been servicing furnaces and responding to some no-heat calls during colder mornings.

He encourages homeowners who are unsure about the condition of their furnace to have it checked before temperatures drop further.

"If you don't feel safe about it, or you don't feel secure about checking it yourself, we'd be glad to come out and do maintenance for you and make sure that everything's working properly," Lowery said.

As temperatures continue to drop, Lowery said taking a few minutes to check your furnace, replace filters and test your carbon monoxide detector could help keep your home safe and your heating system running properly throughout the winter.