Complete Furnace Maintenance Checklist

Extend The Life Of Your Furnace! Check out this Complete Furnace Maintenance Checklist!

As a homeowner, you can extend the life of your furnace and even spot potential concerns before they worsen and cause more damage simply by doing regular maintenance on your furnace. To help you with this, we have provided a 90-day and annual furnace maintenance checklist in this blog post that you can follow step-by-step. 

How often should you service the furnace?

There are several components of your furnace that need to be routinely checked. However, the timing for each is different. So, to make this easy and stress-free for you, we have put each of these maintenance tasks into either the 90-day or annual maintenance checklist so that you always know what you need to do. 

If there is anything on this checklist that you don’t feel comfortable doing yourself, then a good rule of thumb is to have your furnace inspected and serviced by a professional at least once a year.

Can I do furnace maintenance myself?

Yes, you can! 

However, if you have never done it before or are not too familiar with how furnaces work, then we recommend that you have a professional do it for you the first time. That way, they can show you exactly what needs to be done, where the different components are on your furnace and answer any questions that you might have. 

After that, if you feel confident doing it yourself, then go for it! Just be sure to have your furnace’s user manual nearby before getting started in case you have any questions while doing the work.

90-Day Furnace Maintenance Checklist

Check And/Or Replace Air Filter

The air filter in your furnace is incredibly important as it is keeping the air that circulates through your home clean. 

As such, it is important to check it every 90 days and clean or replace it as needed. If you have pets or someone in your home who suffers from allergies, then you might need to do this more often. 

You can purchase air filters at most hardware stores, Target, Amazon, Costco, etc., however, make sure you know what size you need before you go shopping. If you aren’t sure which size air filter your furnace uses, you can either look at the one that is already in your furnace or reference your furnace’s user manual.  

If you have never replaced a furnace air filter before, go here to see how it’s done. 

Vacuum around the furnace

Your furnace needs to have clear airflow to function properly. So, be sure to vacuum around it regularly to keep dust and debris from building up. 

In particular, focus on the area around the vents and registers as well as any return air grilles.  

Test The Thermostat

Your furnace’s thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature in your home. As such, it is important to test it to make sure that it is working properly. 

An easy way to do this is to set the thermostat to a temperature that you know will turn the furnace on and then wait for it to kick in. If it doesn’t, then you know there is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Test Your Home Detectors

Your furnace is not the only thing that needs to be in good working order. This is a good time to also make sure that your home’s detectors, such as smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly. 

To test your detectors, hold down the test button for a few seconds. They should make a beeping sound to indicate that they are working.  

Annual Furnace Maintenance Checklist

In addition to the things on the 90-day checklist, there are a few maintenance tasks that need to be done on an annual basis. 

To make sure that you remember to do it, plan to do this checklist alongside one of your 90-day checklists. 

The best time to do this particular checklist would be before the outdoor temperature starts to drop or before fall. This will differ depending on where in the world you live, but make sure you give yourself adequate time to do the inspection/maintenance. You may also want to give yourself additional time in case you need to get anything fixed. 

Inspect The Burners 

If your furnace is gas-powered, then it has burners that need to be regularly inspected. 

First, you will want to make sure that they are clean and free of any dirt or debris. If they are not, then use a soft brush to gently remove anything that might be blocking them. To learn how to clean the burners, go here. 

While you are doing this, you can also check and clean the igniter and flame sensor. The igniter should be glowing brightly and the flame sensor should be free of any carbon buildup. 

If you aren’t sure where these are on your furnace, check your user manual. 

Inspect The Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger is one of the most important parts of your furnace as it is responsible for transferring heat from the combustion chamber to the air that circulates through your home. As such, it is important to inspect it once a year for any cracks or corrosion. 

If you do find any damage, then it is best to have a professional repair or replace it as needed. 

To learn more about where to find your heat exchanger, go here. 

Check The Venting System

Your furnace’s venting system is what removes the combustion gases from your home. So, it is important to make sure that it is in good working condition. 

First, you will want to check all of the vents and registers to make sure that they are not blocked. 

Next, you will want to check the chimney or flue pipe to make sure that there are no cracks or blockages. 

Check The Electrical Connections

The electrical connections in your furnace should also be checked yearly to make sure that they are tight and free of any corrosion. 

If you find any loose or corroded connections, it is best to have a professional come out and fix them as soon as possible. 

What are the most common furnace repairs? 

While there are a variety of furnace repairs that can be needed, there are a few that are more common than others. 

• Dirty air filters – make sure you are changing these regularly!
• Clogged or dirty ducts. 
• Igniter problems.
• Flame sensor issues. 

These are just a few of the most common furnace repairs. However, if you find any issues with your furnace, it is always best to have a professional come out and take a look as they will be able to properly diagnose and fix the problem. 

Are Furnace Repairs Covered Under Home Warranty? 

Yes, certain furnace repairs are covered under a home warranty, and Home Membership can help you! 

Learn more about HomeMemberships’ pricing in your state as well as what is covered under your warranty.

Furnace maintenance is important to ensure that your furnace is running smoothly and efficiently. By following the Furnace Maintenance Checklist in this blog post, you can perform regular inspections on all of the key components of your furnace, which will help to avoid any costly repairs down the road.

Check out this article about why you should clean your dryer vents.