It's the end of the winter season and time to think about shutting down the furnace for the year. Although you could just shut it down and forget about it until fall, you are just putting off any inevitable repairs and maintenance that may need to be done before the next heating season. Instead, take the time to maintain and repair the furnace now when there are fewer demands on your furnace repair service.

Tip #1: Schedule a Cleaning and Tune-Up

Your furnace should be inspected and tuned up annually, and the end of the season is a great time to schedule this maintenance visit. Your furnace tech can clean out the fans and blower motors so dirt isn't left in the unit over the summer months. This cleaning can help cut down on those burnt odors that many furnaces produce in fall, as well as minimizing the chances of mold growth in the furnace.

Your tech will also perform a tune-up where they lubricate moving parts, check the electrical components, and make sure all fuel valves and burners are working properly.

Tip #2: Perform Any Necessary Repairs

Another good reason to perform maintenance in spring instead of fall is that any recent issues with your furnace will be fresh in your mind. For example, has your furnace been making a squealing sound? The belt on the fan motor may need to be replaced. Worn fuel valves, malfunctioning pilot lights, and failed fan bearings are other simple repairs that may be necessary to ensure your furnace is in peak working condition when you are ready for heat next fall.

There may be other, more severe repairs necessary, too. Make note of any issues you had in the winter, such as noises, odors, or uneven heating. This way, your tech can check for issues during your spring maintenance visit and have them fixed well before you need to heat your home again.

Tip #3: Prep the Filter and Housing

Most people know to change their furnace filters throughout the heating season, but it's also a good idea to put in a new filter at the end of the season. This way you aren't leaving dust, mold spores, and other debris to sit inside the furnace over the long summer.

Go a step further to ensure that mold isn't multiplying inside the furnace while it is off, and clean out the filter housing. After removing the old filter, use a vacuum hose attachment to clean out dust and spores inside the filter slot. Once this is done, you can slide the new filter into place.

Contact a furnace repair company that works on products like Carrier furnaces to learn more.