Why Furnace Maintenance Before Winter Matters
Ontario winters aren’t just cold—they’re long, icy, and unforgiving. The last thing you want is for your furnace to fail on the first bitter night of the season. Annual furnace maintenance helps prevent untimely breakdowns, improves energy efficiency, and extends the life of your equipment. More importantly, it keeps your home safe.
Professional tune-ups give technicians a chance to catch small issues before they turn into costly repairs, like worn electrical components, dirty burners, or clogged condensate drains. Even if your furnace seems to be running fine, preventative care will give you peace of mind when the temperatures dip well below freezing.
Change Your Furnace Filters Regularly
Changing the furnace filter is one of the simplest things you can do, but it’s also one of the most overlooked. A clean filter keeps air moving freely through your system, improves indoor air quality, and reduces the strain on your furnace motor.
When filters clog up with dust, pet hair, or pollen, your furnace has to work harder to push warm air through your ducts. That can shorten the system’s lifespan, increase your energy bills, and even cause safety shutdowns.
Ideally, homeowners should replace filters every three months, though many people find it helpful to change them at the start and end of winter. If you notice a lot of dust in your home or have pets, swapping them out more often is a good idea.
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Inspect Air Ducts and Look for Leaks
Your furnace may be in top shape, but if your ducts are leaky, much of that warm air never makes it into your living spaces. Over time, ductwork can loosen, develop gaps, or collect dust that blocks proper airflow.
Walk through your basement or furnace room and pay attention to the exposed ductwork. If you notice rattling noises, dents, or obvious openings, it’s a sign your ducts aren’t sealed properly. Rooms that always seem chilly compared to the rest of the house may also point to hidden duct leaks.
If you suspect a problem, it’s worth having a professional perform a duct inspection and sealing service. A tight duct system doesn’t just keep your home more comfortable—it also lowers your heating bills by making sure every bit of warm air gets where it should.
Keep the Area Around Your Furnace Clean
It’s easy to forget about the space around your furnace, but clutter and dust can have a real impact on how it performs. Dust buildup around the blower or burners reduces efficiency and increases the risk of overheating. Boxes, laundry, or other items stored too close to the unit can restrict airflow and even create fire hazards.
A quick seasonal cleanup makes a big difference. Before winter sets in, vacuum around the furnace, wipe down surfaces, and clear at least a three-foot area on all sides of the unit. Think of it as giving your furnace room to breathe. This is also a good time to check that none of your air vents inside the home are blocked by furniture or rugs—blocked vents can keep certain rooms uncomfortably cold no matter how much you run the heat.
Test Your Thermostat Before the Cold Arrives
Your thermostat is the brain of your heating system, and if it isn’t working properly, your furnace won’t either. The best time to test it isn’t in January when you need it most—it’s now. Switch it to “heat” mode, turn the temperature up a few degrees, and wait to see if the furnace responds.
If nothing happens, the thermostat may need new batteries or replacement. Sometimes the issue is wiring, or the thermostat simply isn’t calibrated correctly. Either way, testing it before the first cold snap ensures you’re not left scrambling when temperatures dip below freezing.
If you’ve been considering an upgrade, a smart thermostat is worth looking into. These devices learn your heating habits, help cut down on wasted energy, and give you remote control from your phone—perfect for keeping your home warm without overspending on heating bills.
Clear Furnace Vents and Intake Pipes
High-efficiency furnaces use intake and exhaust pipes that run outside your home. These are critical for safe operation, but they’re also easy to overlook. During fall and winter in Ontario, leaves, snow, or even bird nests can block these pipes and restrict airflow. If that happens, your furnace may shut down entirely or worse, allow dangerous gases to build up.
Take a few minutes to inspect these pipes before winter sets in. Make sure they’re free of obstructions and keep an eye on them throughout the snowy season. Clearing snow after heavy storms should become part of your winter routine—it’s just as important as shoveling the driveway when it comes to keeping your household safe.
Don’t Forget Carbon Monoxide Safety
Because most furnaces in Ontario run on natural gas, carbon monoxide (CO) safety should be top of mind. A cracked heat exchanger, deteriorated flue pipe, or blocked vent can all allow CO to leak into your home. The scary part is that CO is invisible and odorless—making it impossible to detect without the right equipment.
This is why every home with a gas furnace should have CO detectors on each floor. Test them monthly, replace the batteries every fall, and replace the unit itself every 7–10 years. Regular professional furnace maintenance also includes inspecting the heat exchanger and exhaust system for signs of wear, ensuring your home stays safe and comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How often should I schedule furnace maintenance?
Is furnace maintenance really necessary if my system seems fine?
What’s the average lifespan of a furnace in Ontario?
What is that smell when I turn on my furnace?
It’s actually quite common to notice a faint burning smell the first time you turn on your furnace in the fall. Over the summer months, dust collects on the burners and heat exchanger. When the system fires up, that dust burns off and creates a temporary odor that usually disappears within an hour.
If the smell lingers, smells like rotten eggs (possible gas leak), or is accompanied by smoke, turn off your furnace immediately and call a professional.
Need Professional Furnace Maintenance in Ontario?
Winter in Ontario doesn’t wait, and neither should you. If it’s been more than a year since your last furnace tune-up—or if you’re not sure when it was last serviced—Climate Works can help.
Our certified technicians provide thorough inspections, cleaning, and safety checks to keep your furnace running reliably all season long. Whether you’re in Ottawa, Richmond, or across the GTA, we’re here to make sure your home stays warm and safe.
Contact Us
Ottawa (Headquarters)2639 Pollock Rd.
Richmond, ON, K0A 2Z0
info@climateworks.ca | 613-838-9989
Toronto & GTA
1883 Mattawa Ave.
Mississauga, ON, L4X 1K8
gtaestimating@climateworks.ca | 437-317-0699
