It’s easy for home maintenance tasks to slip down the priority list. Many homeowners follow the old saying, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” But when it comes to your furnace, that mindset can lead to unexpected breakdowns, higher energy bills, and even safety risks.
At Siemer Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we know the importance of preventive care. To help you keep your heating system running smoothly, we’ve put together these furnace maintenance tips that every homeowner should follow.
7 Home Furnace Maintenance Tips
1. Change Your Filter Regularly
One of the simplest yet most effective furnace maintenance steps is to replace your air filter on time. A clean filter keeps airflow moving properly, improves indoor air quality, and helps your furnace last longer.
Most manufacturers recommend changing filters every 1–3 months, but homes with pets or allergy sufferers may need more frequent changes.
2. Understand Your System and Its Maintenance Needs
Every home is different, and so is every heating system. While many U.S. homes rely on natural gas furnaces, other options include geothermal systems, electric furnaces, and even radiant floor heating.
Know what type of system heats your home and learn its specific maintenance requirements. For example, both electric and gas furnaces require annual inspections to ensure safe and efficient performance. However, their tune-up needs vary, and different issues can affect each system.
3. Inspect Your Furnace With Safety in Mind & Check Detectors
When handling any furnace care, safety should always come first. Before inspecting or cleaning, turn off the power to your system to prevent accidents. If you’re unsure about a task, call a professional.
In addition to working carefully, don’t forget your home’s safety equipment. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly, especially during heating season. Furnaces can develop cracks in the heat exchanger that release carbon monoxide— a dangerous, invisible gas. Working detectors provide an added layer of protection for your family.
4. Use Your Senses
Sometimes the best do-it-yourself furnace maintenance is simply paying attention. Look, listen, and even smell for warning signs:
- Smells: If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg odor, leave your home and call your utility company immediately. It could signal a gas leak. Musty smells may indicate mold in ducts, while burning odors could point to dangerous electrical issues.
- Sounds: Loud banging, squealing, or rattling noises suggest something is wrong with your furnace. The issue could be with the blower, belt, motor, or another part of the system.
- Visible Indicators: Check the vent pipe to ensure it’s angled correctly and firmly attached. Check that tubing and connections are secure. Look for any rust on the furnace or around it, which can indicate moisture issues and deterioration. Check for cracks in the heat exchanger, as well, and leaks or pooling water.
Using your senses helps you catch small problems before they turn into major repairs.
5. Clean the Drainage Tube
If you own a high-efficiency natural gas or propane furnace, it will create water as part of the combustion process. While some evaporates as steam, the rest drains into a drip pan.
Keep the drainage tube clean to prevent clogs that could damage the flame sensor. You can use compressed air to clear the tube and a small amount of white vinegar to flush any residual.
6. Keep the Area Around Your Furnace Tidy
Dust, dirt, and clutter can all impact furnace performance. Keep the area around your furnace clear of storage boxes, cleaning products, etc., to prevent airflow blockages and fire risks.
For the furnace itself, gently brush away dust and vacuum around the exterior. Leave more sensitive internal cleaning to a professional, since some components are delicate and easy to damage.
Additionally, make sure the areas around your air vents are clear. This helps ensure your HVAC system can circulate air freely throughout your home, keeping every room comfortable. Blocked vents force your furnace to work harder and increase energy costs. By keeping furniture, rugs, and other household items away from vents, you’ll improve airflow and help your heating system run more efficiently.
7. Check Your Pilot Light
A healthy gas furnace should have a strong, steady blue flame. If the flame is yellow, weak, or flickering, it may indicate incomplete combustion or a gas line issue. These problems can lead to carbon monoxide buildup in the home and should be addressed immediately by a professional.
If your pilot light is weak, yellow, or goes out often, don’t just relight it. This is likely the sign of a serious underlying issue. Schedule an inspection and furnace repair immediately.
Why Schedule Regular Professional Maintenance?
You may wonder, “How often should furnace maintenance be completed?” The answer is at least once a year. Annual inspections and tune-ups help ensure that your furnace operates efficiently and safely during winter.
Our professional technicians can clean components, spot worn parts, replace filters, and make adjustments that extend the life of your equipment. Think of regular furnace maintenance as an investment. The cost of a tune-up is far less than paying for emergency service or replacing a system years earlier than necessary.
When Is Maintenance Required On a Furnace?
Professional maintenance is recommended before the heating season begins. However, older furnaces or systems used heavily may benefit from two tune-ups per year.
By scheduling on time, you’ll maintain your manufacturer’s warranty, help keep energy bills low, and reduce the risk of mid-winter breakdowns. To make things easier, we offer our Preferred Customer Program, which includes two preventive visits per year, priority service, discounts on parts and repairs, and even a no-breakdown money-back guarantee. With these benefits, you won’t have to wonder when furnace maintenance is required— our team will remind you and keep your system on track.
Signs You Need Professional Maintenance
Even with DIY care, there are times when only a licensed HVAC technician can resolve issues. Call for a professional furnace inspection and maintenance if you notice:
- Your furnace runs constantly or short cycles
- Energy bills suddenly spike without increased usage
- Strange noises or smells persist after basic checks
- There is visible damage to your unit
- The pilot light looks yellow or goes out often
- Your furnace is more than 10–15 years old
Catching problems early helps prevent emergencies and ensures your family stays comfortable.
Contact Us for Your Furnace Needs
While these home furnace maintenance tips help you protect your system, nothing replaces the expertise of a trained professional. At Siemer Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we provide thorough inspections, tune-ups, and safety checks to keep your system in top shape.
Whether you need routine care or urgent assistance, our team is ready to help. Contact our family-owned company to schedule professional furnace maintenance in Schererville, IN, or the surrounding areas. We handle all types of heating services for homeowners across Northwest Indiana.