7 Things Colorado Homeowners Should Do Before Turning On the Furnace This Fall
Fall in Colorado can be a little unpredictable.
One afternoon you’re opening the windows because it’s 75 degrees outside. Two days later, you’re wondering if it’s too early to turn on the furnace.
Before that first chilly night arrives, it’s a good idea to give your heating system a little attention. A few simple checks now can help you avoid surprises when you really need the heat.
Here are seven things homeowners should do before turning on the furnace for the season.
1. Check Your Furnace Filter
Your furnace filter plays an important role in keeping air moving properly through your HVAC system.
If the filter is dirty or clogged, your furnace has to work harder to circulate air throughout the house. That can reduce efficiency, affect comfort, and put unnecessary strain on the system.
Check the filter before heating season begins, and replace it if it looks dirty.
How often you need to change it depends on several factors, including:
- The type of filter you use
- Whether you have pets
- How much dust is in your home
- How often your HVAC system runs
If you’re not sure what type of filter your system needs, your HVAC technician can help.
2. Turn the Furnace On Before You Really Need It
Don’t wait until the first freezing night of the year to find out whether your furnace is working.
Set your thermostat a few degrees higher than the current room temperature and let the furnace run for a little while.
Make sure:
- The furnace starts normally
- Warm air comes from the vents
- The system continues running without shutting off unexpectedly
- The thermostat appears to be responding correctly
Testing the system early gives you time to schedule a repair if something isn’t working properly.
That is much better than discovering a problem at 10 p.m. on the first truly cold night of the season.
3. Pay Attention to Strange Smells
If you notice a dusty or slightly burnt smell the first time you turn on your furnace, don’t panic.
During the warmer months, dust can settle on internal components. When the furnace runs for the first time, that dust may burn off and create a temporary smell.
It should usually disappear fairly quickly.
However, you shouldn't ignore some smells.
If you notice a strong electrical smell, a melting-plastic odor, a persistent burning smell, or anything that seems unusual, turn the system off and have a professional check it.
And if you ever smell gas, leave the home and contact your gas utility or emergency services from a safe location.
4. Make Sure Your Vents and Returns Are Clear
Furniture, rugs, curtains, boxes, and other household items can accidentally block heating vents and return-air grilles.
Walk through your home and make sure air can move freely.
Blocking vents can make rooms uncomfortable and interfere with proper airflow through the HVAC system.
Keep both supply vents and return-air grilles open and unobstructed.
Closing vents in unused rooms may seem like a way to save energy, but residential HVAC systems are designed to operate with proper airflow throughout the home.
5. Clear the Area Around Your Furnace
Over the summer, the area around the furnace can slowly become extra storage space.
Boxes, cleaning supplies, holiday decorations, paint cans, and other household items have a way of creeping closer and closer to the equipment.
Before heating season begins, clear the area around your furnace.
Keeping the space clean and accessible makes it easier for the system to operate safely and gives your HVAC technician room to inspect and service the equipment.
Never store combustible materials against or immediately around heating equipment.
6. Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and impossible to detect without a working alarm.
Homes with fuel-burning appliances, including many furnaces and water heaters, should have functioning carbon monoxide detectors.
Before heating season starts:
- Press the test button on each detector
- Replace batteries when needed
- Check the manufacturer's replacement recommendations for the alarm itself
Carbon monoxide detectors do not last forever, so an older unit may need to be replaced even if it still appears to work.
This is also a good time to test your smoke alarms.
7. Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up
A professional furnace tune-up gives a technician an opportunity to inspect the system before it spends months running regularly.
During a maintenance visit, the technician can check system operation, airflow, electrical components, safety controls, and other furnace parts.
Maintenance can also catch small issues before they become bigger repairs.
At Colorado Green Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, our goal is simple: check the system, explain what we find, and give you straightforward recommendations.
No unnecessary upselling. No trying to convince you that every furnace needs replacing.
Sometimes everything looks great — and that’s good news.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Colorado heating season has a habit of arriving quickly.
Taking a few minutes to check your furnace before the cold weather settles in can help you feel more confident that your system is ready when you need it.
If your furnace is making unusual noises, not heating properly, cycling frequently, or simply doesn’t seem right, it’s better to have it checked before winter is in full swing.
Colorado Green Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has been helping Northern Colorado homeowners since 1980.
We provide furnace maintenance, furnace repair, and HVAC replacement throughout Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, Longmont, Broomfield, Brighton, Firestone, Frederick, Niwot, Boulder, and surrounding communities.
Need help getting your furnace ready for fall?
Contact Colorado Green Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to schedule service.
Colorado Green Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
Serving Northern Colorado homeowners since 1980
Same-day appointments available when scheduling allows
