Before You Turn on the Furnace: A Fall HVAC Checkup for Boise Homes
The first cold morning of fall is not the ideal time to discover that your furnace isn’t ready for heating season.
Across Boise and the Treasure Valley, homeowners are transitioning from air conditioning to heating. Before the temperatures drop, fall is a good time to make sure your heating system is operating as intended, airflow is adequate, filters are clean, and there are no obvious conditions that warrant professional HVAC attention.
A little preparation now can help reduce the chance of an unexpected heating problem when you need your furnace most.
Why Fall Is a Good Time to Check Your Heating System
Idaho Power recommends having heating equipment professionally serviced annually and replacing or cleaning furnace filters regularly. It also recommends keeping returns and registers clean and addressing loose or leaking duct connections.
For homeowners, fall maintenance should focus on both performance and safety.
During a home inspection, an inspector may observe the heating system operating under normal conditions and report readily observable concerns. However, a home inspection is not a substitute for a complete HVAC service performed by a qualified technician.
1. Replace or Check the Furnace Filter
A dirty filter can restrict airflow and make the heating system work harder.
Before heating season:
Locate the furnace filter.
Check its condition.
Replace a disposable filter when appropriate.
Clean a reusable filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Make sure the filter is installed in the correct orientation.
Don’t install a filter that is incompatible with the furnace or air-handler specifications.
A filter that is excessively dirty is a common maintenance finding during home inspections.
2. Check Your Registers and Returns
Walk through the home and make sure supply registers and return-air openings aren’t blocked by furniture, rugs, curtains, or stored items.
Restricted airflow can affect comfort and system performance.
Idaho Power specifically recommends vacuuming furnace returns, registers, and baseboard heaters because accumulated dust can reduce effectiveness.
3. Listen for Changes When the Furnace Starts
Turn the thermostat up enough to initiate a heating cycle and pay attention.
Unusual conditions can include:
Loud banging
Grinding
Excessive vibration
Repeated short cycling
Delayed ignition
Unusual odors that persist
Blower problems
The furnace starting and stopping repeatedly
Not every sound means a furnace is unsafe or failing. However, a noticeable change from normal operation is a good reason to have the system evaluated.
If you smell natural gas or suspect a gas leak, don’t treat it as routine maintenance. Leave the area if necessary and contact the appropriate utility or emergency service.
4. Look at the Furnace Venting
For gas-fired equipment, the venting system is an important safety component.
During an inspection, an inspector may look for readily observable concerns such as:
Damaged vent components
Improperly supported venting
Corrosion
Obstructions
Questionable connections
Evidence of moisture or combustion-related problems
Venting requirements can vary depending on the equipment, fuel type, venting system, installation, and applicable codes.
If a venting concern is identified, further evaluation by a qualified HVAC professional may be appropriate.
5. Don’t Ignore the Ductwork
Ductwork is another area that can affect comfort and efficiency.
Look for:
Disconnected ducts
Damaged flexible duct
Missing insulation
Poorly sealed connections
Ducts crushed or restricted by stored items
Supply registers with weak airflow
Idaho Power notes that loose duct joints can result in heated air being lost into areas such as attics or crawl spaces.
For homeowners looking to improve energy performance, professional duct sealing may also be an option. Idaho Power currently offers a duct-sealing incentive for qualifying customers and homes.
6. Check Carbon Monoxide Protection
Homes with fuel-burning appliances should have appropriate carbon monoxide protection.
Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so homeowners should never rely on smell to determine whether a dangerous condition exists.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions for your alarms and make sure they are operational and maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
If an alarm activates, treat it seriously and follow the alarm manufacturer’s and local emergency guidance.
7. Know What a Home Inspection Can—and Can’t—Tell You
This is an important distinction for buyers and sellers.
A home inspector evaluates readily accessible and observable components within the scope of the inspection. The inspector may operate the heating system and report visible or operational deficiencies.
However, an inspection generally does not constitute a comprehensive HVAC service.
For example, an inspector isn’t typically performing:
Combustion-efficiency testing
Complete heat-exchanger testing
Refrigerant diagnostics
Detailed airflow balancing
Internal furnace component cleaning
Comprehensive gas-pressure testing
Manufacturer-level service procedures
When a concern is identified, the appropriate recommendation may be further evaluation by a qualified HVAC contractor.
Inspection Findings vs. Building Code
A home inspection report should also distinguish between an observed condition and a code violation.
Homes in the Boise area range from older properties to newly constructed homes, and applicable building requirements can vary based on the home’s age, construction, alterations, equipment, and jurisdiction.
An inspector may identify a condition that appears improper, unsafe, damaged, or in need of repair without declaring that it is a code violation.
When code compliance needs to be established, the appropriate building department or qualified contractor should be consulted.
A Simple Fall HVAC Checklist
Before the heating season gets underway:
☐ Check or replace the furnace filter
☐ Vacuum accessible registers and return-air openings
☐ Make sure furniture isn’t blocking airflow
☐ Test your thermostat
☐ Listen for unusual furnace noises
☐ Look at accessible ductwork for obvious damage or disconnection
☐ Visually check accessible furnace venting
☐ Confirm carbon monoxide alarms are maintained according to manufacturer instructions
☐ Schedule professional HVAC service if the system has unusual operation or has not been serviced as recommended
For Home Buyers
If you’re buying a home this fall, don’t wait until the first cold snap to discover a heating-system problem.
Your home inspection can provide valuable information about the observable condition and operation of the heating system, including visible concerns that may warrant further evaluation.
Ask questions about the system’s age, maintenance history, previous repairs, and known problems.
Documentation from qualified HVAC contractors can also be valuable when evaluating an older system.
For Sellers
A little preparation before listing can make the inspection process smoother.
Consider having your HVAC system professionally serviced if it hasn’t been maintained recently, replacing a visibly dirty filter, clearing blocked registers, and gathering available service records.
If a contractor performs repairs or maintenance, keep the documentation.
Good records help demonstrate that important systems have been maintained and give buyers and their agents useful information.
Get Ready Before You Need the Heat
The best time to discover a heating problem is before you need the furnace to run all day.
Fall maintenance doesn’t guarantee that a heating system will never fail, but it gives homeowners an opportunity to identify obvious problems and address maintenance needs before winter arrives.
Inspect to Protect
Whether you’re buying, selling, or maintaining a home in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Star, or throughout the Treasure Valley, Upright Inspections can help you understand the observable condition of the home’s major systems and components.
Don’t wait for the first freezing morning to find out what your furnace is telling you.
Schedule your inspection with Upright Inspections.
Upright Inspections — Your Foundation for Peace of Mind.
