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How to Get Your Furnace Ready for Chicago Winters: A Homeowner’s Guide

Grand Slam Heating & Cooling > Heating Tips & Maintenance > How to Get Your Furnace Ready for Chicago Winters: A Homeowner’s Guide
Grand Slam Heating & Cooling September 9, 2025 No Comments

How to Get Your Furnace Ready for Chicago Winters: A Homeowner’s Guide

Why Furnace Prep is Critical in Chicago

Chicago winters aren’t just cold — they’re unpredictable, relentless, and often unforgiving. It’s not unusual for temperatures to plunge into the single digits (or below zero) with little warning, and for cold snaps to last days or even weeks. In this climate, a furnace isn’t just a comfort feature — it’s a lifeline.

But here’s the reality most homeowners don’t realize until it’s too late: furnaces often break down on the coldest nights of the year. Why? Because that’s when they’re working the hardest. If your system hasn’t been properly maintained, even a minor issue can snowball into a major breakdown right when you need heat most.

This guide is designed to help Chicago-area homeowners get ahead of winter by preparing their furnace now. From simple homeowner steps to professional tune-ups, you’ll learn exactly what to do to keep your family warm, safe, and comfortable all season long.

Step 1: Replace or Clean Your Filter

One of the simplest — and most overlooked — ways to keep your furnace running smoothly is to replace or clean the air filter.
A dirty filter:
Restricts airflow, making your furnace work harder.
Increases energy bills.
Can cause the heat exchanger to overheat, triggering safety shutdowns.
Reduces indoor air quality, aggravating allergies and asthma.

Chicago Tip: During the winter, when your furnace is running constantly, you may need to replace filters every 1–2 months. Homes with pets or residents with respiratory conditions may need even more frequent changes. When selecting a filter:

Standard filters (MERV 6–8): Good for dust and pollen.

Higher-efficiency filters (MERV 11–13): Better at trapping fine particle

s, mold spores, and allergens.

HEPA-level filters: Can improve indoor air quality significantly but must be matched to your system.

At Grand Slam Heating & Cooling, we often include filter replacements in our ComfortClub maintenance plans, because clean filters aren’t just about air — they’re about system longevity.

Step 2: Check Your Thermostat

Your thermostat is the brain of your HVAC system. If it’s not working correctly, your furnace won’t heat your home efficiently.

Before the first real cold front hits:

Switch your thermostat from cooling to heating mode.
Set the temperature a few degrees higher than room temp and listen for the furnace to engage.
Make sure warm air is blowing from the vents.

If you’re still using an older manual thermostat, this is the perfect time to upgrade. A smart thermostat, like our custom HomeRun thermostat, gives you:

Remote control via smartphone.
Energy savings through scheduling.
Real-time monitoring of your system.
Even if your furnace is in great shape, an outdated thermostat can cost you hundreds of dollars each winter in wasted energy.

Step 3: Inspect Vents, Ducts, and Airflow

Proper airflow is key to both comfort and efficiency. Blocked or leaking ducts can make some rooms freezing cold while others overheat, and force your furnace to run longer than necessary.
Homeowners should:
Walk through the home and make sure all supply and return vents are open and unobstructed.
Look for dust buildup around vents — a sign of dirty ducts.
Check for obvious duct leaks in basements or attics (look for disconnected joints).

Why it matters in Chicago: Older homes in Oak Brook, Hinsdale, and the North Shore often have leaky or undersized ductwork. Even the best furnace can’t compensate for poor airflow.

At Grand Slam, every install comes with an Indoor Air Quality Test, which helps us identify airflow issues, duct leaks, and contamination that could impact your comfort.

Step 4: Safety Checks Homeowners Can Do

Winter furnace prep isn’t just about comfort — it’s also about safety. Furnaces burn fuel (usually natural gas), which creates heat but also produces carbon monoxide (CO). A properly maintained system vents this safely outdoors. A neglected one may not.

Safety checklist for homeowners:

Test carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries. Place detectors near bedrooms and on every level of your home.
Listen for unusual furnace noises: banging, grinding, or constant cycling.
Inspect around the furnace for rust, soot, or standing water.
If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s time to schedule a professional inspection immediately.

Step 5: Professional Tune-Ups & Maintenance

This is the step most homeowners skip — and the step that saves the most money in the long run. A professional furnace tune-up includes:
Inspecting and cleaning burners.
Checking the heat exchanger for cracks.
Verifying gas pressure and connections.
Testing safety controls.
Lubricating motors and bearings.
Calibrating the thermostat.
Why it matters:
Prevents breakdowns during peak season.
Improves energy efficiency by up to 15%.
Extends furnace lifespan.
Keeps warranties valid (many manufacturers require annual maintenance).

At Grand Slam Heating & Cooling, we’ve built our ComfortClub around preventative maintenance because we know tune-ups are the difference between a cozy winter and an emergency call at midnight.

Common Furnace Problems in Chicago Winters

Even with preparation, furnaces can develop issues — especially in harsh climates like Chicago. Knowing the most common problems helps homeowners act fast:
  1. Pilot light or ignition issues → Modern furnaces use electronic ignition systems that can fail.
  2. Blower motor failure → Causes weak or no airflow.
  3. Frozen condensate lines → Common in high-efficiency furnaces during extended subzero stretches.
  4. Clogged filters → Strain the furnace and reduce heat output.
  5. Cracked heat exchanger → Dangerous, as it can leak carbon monoxide into the home.
The key is prevention — catching small issues before they turn into emergencies.

Energy Savings Tips for Winter

Staying warm doesn’t have to mean skyrocketing energy bills. A few simple steps can make a big difference:

Seal drafts around windows and doors with weatherstripping or caulk.

Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down.

Set your thermostat smartly — lowering it a few degrees while you’re sleeping or away saves energy.

Insulate attics and basements to reduce heat loss.

Pairing these with a high-efficiency furnace and a HomePlate thermostat can cut winter heating costs by 20–30%.

When It’s Time to Replace Instead of Repair

No matter how much you prepare, furnaces don’t last forever. In Chicago, the average furnace lifespan is 15–20 years.

Signs it’s time to replace:

Rising repair bills (more than 50% of replacement cost).
Uneven heating throughout the home.
Furnace running constantly but never reaching temp.
System older than 15 years.

While replacement is a big investment, remember that new high-efficiency systems often pay for themselves in reduced energy bills. And with monthly payment options through our lending partners, it’s more affordable than homeowners realize.

Conclusion: Peace of Mind for Chicago Winters

Chicago winters don’t play around — and neither should your furnace. By taking simple steps like changing filters, testing your thermostat, checking safety devices, and scheduling a professional tune-up, you can avoid 90% of common winter breakdowns.

At Grand Slam Heating & Cooling, we make winter prep easy:

Family-owned and operated.
Fully insured & bonded.
Indoor Air Quality Test included with every install.
Transparent pricing with no gimmicks.

Maintenance and peace of mind through our ComfortClub.

Schedule Online today and make sure your home is ready for the next Chicago cold snap.

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