Rochester averages over 100 inches of snow per year and regularly sees windchills below zero. Your furnace needs to be ready. Here’s the pre-season checklist Flower City HVAC recommends.

Change the Filter

Start fresh every fall with a new 1″ filter (MERV 8–11 for most homes). A dirty filter is the #1 cause of furnace inefficiency and premature failures.

Test the Thermostat

Switch to heat and verify it fires up. Check the thermostat battery if it’s battery-powered. Consider upgrading to a smart thermostat for energy savings.

Clean Around the Furnace

Clear all combustibles 3 feet from the furnace. Check that the condensate drain line (on high-efficiency furnaces) isn’t clogged.

Inspect Vents and Returns

Walk every room and verify supply and return vents are open and unobstructed. Closing vents doesn’t save energy — it increases static pressure and stresses the system.

Check the Flue

Bird nests, debris, and ice dams can block furnace flues, creating carbon monoxide risks. A visual inspection is quick and critical.

Schedule a Tune-Up

A professional tune-up includes combustion analysis, heat exchanger inspection, blower cleaning, and safety-switch testing. In Rochester’s climate, this is non-negotiable. Call Flower City HVAC at (585) 577-5944 to schedule your fall tune-up.

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