15 Things You Should Clean Before You Turn the Heat On

As summer gives way to fall and temperatures begin to drop, it's time to fire up the furnace to keep your home cozy. Over the spring and summer months, dust, dirt and debris can accumulate around the house and on heating equipment. If left unaddressed before turning on the heat, this buildup can contribute to unpleasant odors, restricted airflow, reduced heating efficiency and poor indoor air quality. But preparing your home for heating season involves more than simply swapping filters and wiping down vents and registers. To help you get ready for colder weather, we've rounded up the things you should clean before turning on the heat, including several spots you probably haven't considered.

HVAC filters capture airborne dust and debris, protecting your HVAC system and helping it run at peak efficiency. So, naturally, swapping your HVAC filters (or cleaning them if they're reusable) is the first thing to address before turning the heat on for the first time.

While your return filter keeps dust and debris from reaching your furnace, much of that debris never even makes it to the filter, accumulating on the return grilles first. Clean off any dust, dirt or pet hair accumulation in and around the vents to remove buildup and keep the openings clear for proper airflow.

You'll likely be spending more time indoors during the colder months, stirring up the dust, pet hair and other debris that have settled around the home. Before turning on your furnace, take time to vacuum under and behind furniture, or any other overlooked spot where debris may have built up during the warmer months.

Many homeowners reverse their ceiling fans during the colder months to circulate warm air trapped at the ceiling without causing a chilly breeze. However, if you reverse them before cleaning off the matted dust (trust us, it's there), you're in for a dust shower. To avoid this, turn the fan off and carefully clean it using a vacuum or ceiling fan brush.

You may not have noticed (or maybe you've turned a blind eye), but baseboards and trim are notorious for accumulating dust, dirt, pet hair and more. Give them a thorough cleaning to remove this buildup and reduce the amount of dust collecting around your home during the winter months.

Your carpets and rugs can take a beating over the summer months, filling with dust and debris that often go unnoticed, especially on darker, patterned rugs. Thorough vacuuming or deep cleaning removes that buildup before everyone spends more time indoors.

While not as dramatically as carpets and rugs, dust, pollen, pet dander and other debris cling to curtains and drapes. Before turning on the heat, take time to clean them off or, if the care label allows, launder them.

Pro Tip: While you're there, it's a great time to make sure your curtains aren't blocking any heaters or vents.

Radiator fins are practically magnets for dust, and buildup can reduce heat transfer and create an unpleasant dusty smell when they're first turned on. The same goes for baseboard heaters, so it's wise to clean both before firing them up for the winter.

While your fireplace and chimney likely didn't see much action over the summer, if you haven't cleaned them since last heating season (or longer), now is the time to do so. Ash, soot and creosote accumulate with use, and creosote buildup can increase the risk of a chimney fire. Have the chimney inspected and cleaned as needed before using the fireplace.

Space heaters should be cleaned regularly, as dust readily clings to them during use and in storage. Before turning yours on this winter, unplug it, wipe off all dusty surfaces and clean the filters, where applicable, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If your furnace dries out your house, humidifiers are likely a winter staple. Over time, mineral deposits and residue can build up inside humidifiers, and standing water can encourage bacteria and mold growth. Clean them thoroughly before use and regularly throughout the winter season, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors matter year-round, but they're especially important when you're running your furnace. To keep them working, carefully clean dust from exterior openings per the manufacturer's instructions and test the alarms before turning on your furnace.

You probably won't be cracking your windows until spring, so your bathroom exhaust fans may run more often this winter. Take time to clean any dust from the cover and inside the fan before winter.

Pro Tip: If you plan to do a more thorough cleaning of the interior of the fan, first turn off the power at the breaker.

Leaves, grass clippings and other debris can accumulate around your outdoor HVAC unit during summer. If your heating system has an outdoor heat pump, remove debris from around the unit before winter for optimal operation. Even if you don't have an outdoor heat pump, it's still a good idea to clear away debris before winter to prevent buildup and keep the unit clear.