How to Prepare Your Furnace for Winter in Ontario

If you want to prepare your furnace for winter, September and early fall are the right time to do it. Your heating system may have sat mostly unused for months. Turning it on for the first cold night and hoping everything works is a gamble you do not need to take.

A few simple checks at home can help. A professional furnace inspection can go much further by spotting problems before your heating system has to run every day.

For a limited time, The Gravity Group is offering a 12-step furnace inspection for $99 for homeowners in Peterborough, Lindsay, Kawartha Lakes and surrounding areas.

Why You Should Check Your Furnace Before Winter

Ontario furnaces work hard.

Once temperatures drop, your furnace can go from barely running to operating for hours every day. A small issue in September can become a no-heat call in January.

Pre-season furnace maintenance gives you a chance to find problems before your heating system is under maximum demand.

It can also help identify:

• Restricted airflow
• Dirty furnace components
• Ignition problems
• Thermostat issues
• Unusual furnace noises
• Venting concerns
• Worn components
• Signs your furnace may need repair
• Problems that could affect reliability during winter

1. Turn Your Furnace On Before You Actually Need It

Do not make the first freezing night of the year your furnace test.

Set your thermostat several degrees above the current room temperature and listen for the furnace to start.

Give it a few minutes.

You should notice warm air coming from your registers and relatively normal furnace operation.

• Furnace failing to start
• Furnace starting and stopping repeatedly
• Cold or barely warm air
• Weak airflow
• New rattling, banging or squealing sounds
• Unusual smells that continue after the initial startup
• Furnace running much longer than expected

A brief dusty smell can sometimes happen when a heating system first runs after sitting unused. Persistent burning, electrical or gas-related smells should be taken seriously.

If something does not seem right, do not wait for colder weather.

2. Check Your Furnace Filter

Your furnace needs airflow.

A dirty filter can restrict that airflow and make your heating system work harder.

Pull the filter out and inspect it. If it is visibly dirty, replace it with the correct size and type recommended for your system.

Do not automatically buy the thickest or highest-rated filter you can find. Some heating systems require specific airflow characteristics.

Check your furnace manufacturer’s recommendations if you are unsure.

Filters should also be checked throughout the heating season, especially in homes with:

• Pets
• Renovation dust
• Heavy furnace use
• Higher levels of airborne dust
• Multiple occupants

Changing a furnace filter is one of the simplest heating maintenance jobs a homeowner can do.

It is not a replacement for a professional furnace inspection.

3. Test Your Thermostat

Sometimes the furnace gets blamed when the thermostat is causing the problem.

• Set the thermostat to HEAT.
• Increase the temperature.
• Confirm the furnace starts.
• Confirm warm air reaches the house.
• Lower the thermostat again.
• Confirm the furnace completes its cycle.

If you use a programmable or smart thermostat, check your heating schedule at the same time.

Summer schedules can leave your home cooler than expected once temperatures start dropping.

If the thermostat appears unresponsive, loses connection, gives incorrect temperature readings or fails to reliably control the furnace, get it checked.

4. Check Your Supply Registers and Return Vents

Walk through the house.

Make sure furniture, rugs, curtains, boxes and other objects are not blocking your heating registers or return-air grilles.

Your furnace moves heated air through the house and pulls air back through the return system.

Blocking those pathways can hurt airflow and create comfort problems.

If one room constantly feels colder than the rest of the home, the issue may go beyond a closed register.

Possible causes can include:

• Duct problems
• Airflow imbalance
• Insulation issues
• Furnace performance issues
• Equipment sizing
• Building layout

Gravity can inspect your heating system and help determine why certain areas are not heating properly.

5. Check the Area Around Your Furnace

Your mechanical room should not become a storage closet.

Keep the area around your furnace clear.

Avoid stacking boxes, household supplies or combustible materials directly around heating equipment.

You should also look for obvious changes around the furnace.

• Water around the equipment
• Rust
• Loose panels
• Damaged venting
• New noises
• Unusual odours
• Signs of corrosion

6. Check Your Furnace Exhaust Outside

This one becomes particularly important once Ontario starts getting snow.

Many high-efficiency furnaces use intake and exhaust pipes that exit through an exterior wall.

Those openings need to stay clear.

Snow, ice and debris can obstruct furnace venting. During winter, check the area after heavy snowfalls and while clearing snow around the house.

Do not pile shoveled snow around furnace exhaust pipes or your gas meter.

If you are unsure which pipes belong to your heating equipment, ask your HVAC technician during your furnace inspection.

7. Test Your Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Fuel-burning appliances can produce carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide cannot be seen, smelled or tasted.

Before heating season, check the carbon monoxide alarms in your home and confirm they are working properly.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for testing and replacement.

If a carbon monoxide alarm activates, treat it seriously. Leave the affected area and follow emergency guidance.

Your furnace is also one reason professional pre-season heating inspections matter.

TSSA recommends regular inspection and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances by qualified professionals.

8. Pay Attention to What Your Furnace Is Telling You

Furnaces usually give some warning before a major failure.

Homeowners sometimes ignore those warnings because the furnace is technically still producing heat.

Do not wait for complete failure.

Call for furnace service if you notice:

• Furnace repeatedly turning on and off
• Strange banging or rattling
• Squealing sounds
• Weak airflow
• Furnace struggling to reach the thermostat setting
• Some rooms remaining cold
• Furnace running almost constantly
• Unexplained increases in heating use
• Ignition problems
• Furnace shutting itself down
• Unusual smells
• Frequent thermostat adjustments needed to stay comfortable

A furnace that still runs can still have a developing problem.

Finding it early gives you more options.

Home Furnace Checks Are Good. A Professional Inspection Goes Further.

There is plenty you can do yourself before winter.

Test the thermostat.

Listen to the furnace.

Keep exterior venting clear.

But homeowners cannot evaluate every part of a heating system from the outside.

That is where a professional furnace inspection comes in.

Gravity is currently offering a 12-step furnace inspection for $99.

The inspection gives a trained technician the opportunity to look over your heating system before it has to handle another Ontario winter.

You get real information about the condition of the furnace and a chance to deal with problems before they turn into emergency heating calls.

When Should You Have Your Furnace Inspected?

Ideally, have your furnace checked before the main heating season begins.

Late summer and early fall make sense because the furnace is about to return to regular use.

Booking early also gives you time to address a repair if the inspection finds a problem.

Waiting until your furnace stops working gives you fewer options.

If your furnace has not been professionally inspected recently, this is a good time to get it done.

Is Furnace Maintenance Really Necessary Every Year?

Regular maintenance makes sense for equipment that may run daily for several months.

Your furnace contains electrical components, controls, a blower system, heating components and safety systems that all need to work together.

Professional maintenance can help identify developing issues and give you a clearer picture of the furnace’s condition.

It is especially worth booking an inspection if:

• Your furnace is older
• You skipped maintenance last year
• You recently bought the home
• You do not know the furnace’s service history
• The furnace has become noisier
• Heating has become less consistent
• You had furnace repairs last winter
• Your energy use has changed noticeably
• You want to know the furnace is ready before winter

How Old Is Too Old for a Furnace?

Age alone does not determine when a furnace needs replacement.

Maintenance history matters.

Repair frequency matters.

Heating performance matters.

If your furnace is getting older and repairs are becoming more frequent, an inspection can help you decide what makes sense.

You may still have years of service left.

You may need a repair.

Or it may make more financial sense to start planning a replacement before the system fails completely.

Gravity can give you a clear repair-versus-replace assessment without pushing you into equipment you do not need.

What Happens If Your Furnace Stops Working in Winter?

First, check the basics:

• Thermostat set to HEAT
• Temperature set above room temperature
• Furnace switch has not been accidentally turned off
• Breaker has not tripped
• Filter is not completely blocked

If those basic checks do not solve the problem, call for service.

The Gravity Group answers the phone 24/7 for heating emergencies.

No heat on the weekend?

Furnace stopped during a cold snap?

Do Not Wait for the First Cold Snap

Every year, homeowners turn on furnaces that have been sitting idle and find out something is wrong.

Some problems are minor.

Others turn into emergency repairs.

Preparing your furnace before winter gives you a chance to deal with those issues on your schedule.

And right now, it costs $99 to have Gravity perform our 12-step furnace inspection.

Furnace Winter Preparation FAQ

What should I do to prepare my furnace for winter?

Start by replacing or checking the furnace filter, testing your thermostat, checking airflow from your registers, clearing return vents and testing your furnace before cold weather arrives. A professional furnace inspection can identify problems that are not visible during basic homeowner checks.

When should I schedule furnace maintenance in Ontario?

Late summer or early fall is a good time. Your furnace can be inspected before it begins running heavily through the colder months.

How often should a furnace be inspected?

Regular professional inspection is recommended for fuel-burning heating equipment. Your furnace manufacturer may also specify a maintenance schedule for your particular system.

Should I replace my furnace filter before winter?

If the filter is dirty, replace it before heating season. Check it periodically throughout winter as well. Filter replacement frequency depends on the furnace, filter type and conditions inside the home.

Why does my furnace smell when I first turn it on?

A temporary dusty smell can occur when a furnace first runs after months of inactivity. If the smell continues, smells electrical, resembles burning material or seems unusual, turn the system off and contact a heating technician.

Why is my furnace making noise?

Rattling, banging, squealing and other new noises can have many causes. If your furnace suddenly sounds different, have it inspected rather than waiting for the problem to get worse.

What should I do if my furnace stops working?

Check your thermostat, furnace switch, breaker and filter first. If the furnace still does not operate, call an HVAC technician. Gravity provides 24/7 heating service at 705-344-6835.

Does Gravity service furnaces in Peterborough?

Yes. The Gravity Group provides furnace maintenance, repair and installation in Peterborough and surrounding communities.

Does Gravity provide furnace service in Lindsay and Kawartha Lakes?

Yes. Gravity provides heating and furnace service throughout Lindsay, Kawartha Lakes and nearby communities.

How do I get the $99 furnace inspection?

Visit our Current Offers page or call 705-344-6835 and ask for the $99 12-Step Furnace Inspection. The offer is available for a limited time and is subject to current terms and availability.

Get Your Furnace Ready Before Winter

Do not wait until the house is cold to find out your furnace needs attention.

Book Gravity's $99 12-Step Furnace Inspection.