In Winnipeg, a furnace is not a comfort appliance, it is a safety system. When the overnight low drops below -30 C, a home without heat can get cold enough for pipes to freeze within hours. Most no-heat calls we get in January start with something small that could have been spotted in October: a clogged filter, a blocked vent, a frozen drain line or a part that had been getting weaker for months.

The good news is that a few simple checks, plus an annual tune-up by a qualified technician, prevent most of these problems. Here is the checklist we recommend to Winnipeg and Manitoba homeowners before the real cold arrives. If your furnace is due for an upgrade instead, see our Goodman gas furnaces page.

Why fall is the right time for furnace care

Your furnace sits idle all summer, and the first cold weeks of the season are when weak parts tend to fail: igniters, flame sensors, inducer motors and pressure switches. Finding a problem in fall means a planned repair on a normal weekday. Finding it during a cold snap means waiting in line with everyone else whose furnace stopped the same night. Manufacturers, including Goodman, recommend that a gas furnace be inspected by a qualified technician every year, ideally before the heating season.

Your pre-winter furnace checklist

Most of these steps take only a few minutes and need no tools:

• Check or replace the air filter. A dirty filter chokes airflow, makes the furnace work harder and can cause it to overheat and shut itself off. Check it monthly through the winter and replace it whenever it looks grey or clogged. Homes with pets, renovations or a lot of dust may need a new filter every month.
• Find your intake and exhaust vents and keep them clear. High-efficiency furnaces vent through white PVC pipes on a side wall or through the roof. Snow drifts, ice build-up, leaves or a bird’s nest can block them, and the furnace will shut down for safety. After every big snowfall or blizzard, check that both pipes are clear.
• Look at the condensate drain. A condensing furnace produces water that drains through a small hose or pipe to a floor drain or pump. If that line is kinked, clogged or runs through a cold area where it can freeze, the furnace will stop. Make sure water flows freely and the line is not in an unheated space.
• Test your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms. Every home with a gas furnace should have working CO alarms near the bedrooms and on each level. Press the test button and replace batteries, or the whole unit if it is past its expiry date.
• Clear the space around the furnace. Do not store boxes, paint, gasoline or cleaning chemicals next to the furnace. It needs air for combustion and space for service.
• Open the supply registers and return grilles. Closed or blocked vents in unused rooms can upset the airflow balance of the whole system. Keep furniture and rugs off them.
• Check the thermostat. Replace the batteries if it uses them, make sure it is set to heat, and confirm the furnace starts when you raise the set point a few degrees.
• Replace the humidifier pad. If you have a furnace humidifier, a fresh pad at the start of the season helps prevent mineral build-up and keeps it working properly during the dry Manitoba winter.

What a professional tune-up covers

Some checks need training and instruments. During a furnace tune-up, a Synoptic HVAC technician will typically inspect the burners and flame, clean and test the flame sensor and igniter, check the heat exchanger for cracks or corrosion, verify gas pressure and safety switches, inspect the venting and condensate system, check the blower and electrical connections, and measure temperature rise to confirm the furnace is operating as the manufacturer intends. You get a furnace that is safer, runs more efficiently and is far less likely to fail on the coldest night of the year.

Warning signs to call a technician now

• A smell of gas: leave the house first and call your gas utility from outside.
• Your CO alarm goes off, or people in the home have headaches or nausea that ease when they leave.
• The furnace turns on and off every few minutes, or keeps restarting without producing heat.
• New banging, squealing or rattling noises.
• Water pooling around the furnace, or ice forming on the vent pipes outside.
• Rooms that are much colder than before, or gas bills rising without a reason.

If your furnace is 15 years old or more and needs frequent repairs, it may be time to compare repair costs with a new high-efficiency unit. Read more in our article on Goodman gas furnace efficiency.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a furnace be serviced in Winnipeg?

Once a year, ideally in late summer or fall before the heating season. Because furnaces in Manitoba run for many hours a day through a long winter, an annual inspection is the best way to catch worn parts before they fail.

How often should I change my furnace filter?

Check it every month during the heating season. Standard 1-inch filters often need replacing every one to three months; thicker media filters last longer. Replace it any time it looks dirty.

What should I do if snow blocks my furnace vents?

Gently clear the snow and ice from around both the intake and exhaust pipes by hand, without damaging the pipes. If the furnace has shut down and does not restart after the vents are clear, call a technician.

Can I service my furnace myself?

Homeowners can safely change filters, keep vents clear, check the condensate drain and test alarms. Work on gas valves, burners, ignition and the heat exchanger should be done by a licensed gas technician.

Want peace of mind before the deep freeze? Contact Synoptic HVAC to book a furnace tune-up or repair anywhere in Winnipeg and the surrounding area. Call +1 (204) 894-6403.