Preparing Your Furnace or Heat Pump for Winter

Whether you live in your home year-round or you’re closing up a four-season cottage for occasional winter use, a heating system that hasn’t been checked since last spring is not something to find out about on the coldest night of the year.

A basic filter change is the easiest place to start, and it’s worth doing this every one to three months through the heating season, not just once in the fall. A clogged filter makes the system work harder and can shorten its lifespan. Beyond that, an annual service call is worth the cost. A technician will check the heat exchanger, clean components, and confirm the system is running safely and efficiently before you’re relying on it daily.

If you have a heat pump, it’s worth understanding how it performs in extreme cold, since some systems rely on a backup heat source once temperatures drop low enough. Knowing when that backup kicks in, and confirming it works, avoids an unpleasant surprise in January.

Don’t overlook the smaller pieces either: test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and confirm that any vents or exterior intake and exhaust points aren’t blocked by leaves, snow, or nesting material from the summer.

For rural and waterfront properties in particular, where a service call can mean a longer wait than it would in town, getting ahead of this in the fall rather than the first cold snap gives you far more flexibility if something does need attention.

Have more questions about buying or selling in the area? Visit my FAQ page for answers to what clients ask most.