Maintenance Checklist for Annual Furnace Startup!

Once again, the calendar has worked its way back to the fall season, when leaves turn beautiful colors in the trees, football games can be heard in the distance on Friday nights, and of course, our gas furnace heating systems need to be started-up and inspected in preparation of the long winter ahead. If you have gone through this in the past, you know that your furnace may smell funny and might even make funny noises during the process of starting for the first time of the year. That’s probably normal… after all, if you put me to sleep for 6-8 months, I would be cranky when I woke up too!

In this Gas Furnace Guide, we’re going to dig through our furnace guide archives and share some of the popular articles on our site, that are sure to help you start your gas furnace for the first time of the season. If you like the articles, please consider sharing them with your friends on Facebook.

Gas Furnace Safety, Startup and Maintenance Tips

Nothing gets warm this winter without heat, and heat always starts at your furnace!

• Lighting the Furnace Pilot Light – Usually one of the first steps for homeowners with older gas furnaces, that still have a standing pilot. Most modern furnaces use an electronic hot surface ignitor to start the burners. Learn more about gas furnace features and comparisons on this page of our site.
• Furnace Maintenance Checklist for Homeowners – From the flue to the drain lines, your furnace needs a thorough inspection before its started for the season.
• Winter Safety Tips from Ace Hardware – Lou Manfredi came over last fall and provided some great tips on winter safety around your home.
• Carbon Monoxide, The Silent Killer – Short page that offers advice and tips about Carbon Monoxide, CO Detectors, and much more.

Repair, Installation and Buying Guides

If you were crossing your fingers and  fortunate to get another year out of your aging gas furnace last year, it might be a good time to start planning your budget for furnace repairs or replacement. For those tasks, you should view the following articles.

• 2012 Gas Furnace Buying Guide – Learn about whats new for the 2012 heating season. From new products like the Carrier Infinity 98, to the latest rebates and tax incentives.
• Furnace Repair and Service Costs – Everything from replacing the hot surface ignitor, to complete replacement of a cracked heat exchanger, the furnace repair cost guide has it in there to help you budget for an unexpected breakdown.
• Gas Furnace Only Replacement Costs – What if the Central AC System is working fine? Can you replace only the gas furnace… Of course you can! This guide helps you learn more about what to expect.
• Furnace installation Cost Guide – Have you wondered about what goes into replacing your gas furnace, and why replacement furnace prices are one of the least likely home improvement costs people plan for? The installation cost guide shares more about what goes into putting a new furnace in your home.
• 2011 – 2012 Top Rated Gas Furnaces – Take a look at the leaders so far this year, from the furnace reviews and ratings left by our readers and other industry professionals.

Do you have a favorite place to find information about starting your gas furnace? If so, or if you are a contractor with a page of your own dedicated to furnace maintenance and startup checklist, please share it in the comments below.

Furnace Troubleshooting Video

We just found this great video from Reliance Home Comfort that helps you walk through a series of basic troubleshooting steps if you furnace won’t start.