Quick answer

Before Edmonton's first real cold snap, do three things: change your furnace filter and make sure the heat comes on, protect your outdoor water taps from freezing, and clean the lint out of your dryer vent. Each takes a few minutes. A yearly furnace tune-up covers the rest.



1. Get your furnace ready

Our first recommendation every fall is to change your furnace filter. A clean filter helps your furnace breathe, run more efficiently and keep your air cleaner. Not sure which one to buy? See The Truth About Furnace Filters.

Then turn up the thermostat and make sure the heat kicks in. Older furnaces have a pilot light that should be lit. Newer ones use an electronic ignitor, so you'll just hear the burners light after a short delay.

Don't be alarmed by a burning smell the first time it runs. That's dust that settled over the summer burning off, and it should clear within a few hours.

2. Protect your outdoor water taps

Outdoor taps (hose bibs) are handy all summer for the garden or the kids' sprinkler. But older hose bibs don't have a frost-free design, so water can sit in the pipe and freeze. That can crack the pipe inside your wall, and you may not notice until spring.

Newer frost-free hose bibs are built so the water shuts off inside the warm part of your house. Either way, disconnect your garden hose before the first freeze. A hose left attached traps water and can freeze even a frost-free tap.

Signs your outdoor tap is worn out: it drips, the water flow is weak, the knob is hard to turn, or it has frozen before.

3. Clean out your dryer vent

Clogged dryer vents are a real fire risk, and they make your laundry take longer to dry. Pull out the lint trap, vacuum out the dust and lint you can reach, and check that the vent flap outside opens freely when the dryer runs.



Safety first: If you smell gas, leave the house right away and call ATCO's 24-hour emergency line or 911 from outside. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms before the furnace starts running full time.

When to call a professional

Call a licensed technician if:

• The burning smell hasn't cleared after a day
• The furnace starts, then shuts off after a few seconds
• You hear banging, squealing or rattling when it runs
• An outdoor tap drips, won't shut off, or you see water inside near it
• Your furnace hasn't had a tune-up in the last year

How SS Plumbing & Heating handles it

Our 20-point furnace tune-up checks everything from the flame sensor and ignitor to gas pressure and venting, and you get a documented inspection report. If something needs attention, we'll explain what we found and give you a clear price before we fix anything.

Worried about an outdoor tap? Snap a photo and text it to us. We'll tell you if it's an older hose bib or a frost-free one, free of charge, and we can replace worn taps before the deep freeze. We also clear minor dryer vent blockages, and we're happy to refer you to trusted contacts for full furnace and duct cleaning.

A Few Questions We Get a Lot

When should I turn my furnace on for the first time?

Whenever you're ready, but test it before the first cold night. That way, if something's wrong, you find out on a mild day instead of at -25°C.

Do I really need a furnace tune-up every year?

Yes. A yearly tune-up catches worn parts before they leave you without heat, keeps your furnace running efficiently, and is often required to keep your warranty valid.

Can a frost-free tap still freeze?

It can, usually when a hose is left attached. Disconnect hoses every fall. For more on common heating issues, see 5 Common Furnace Problems and Why Is My Furnace Running but Not Heating?

Ready for winter?

A little maintenance now saves a lot of stress when it's -30°C outside. Book your tune-up, or text us a photo of your outdoor tap.

Call or Text 780-995-4140 | Book Furnace Repair | Learn more about our furnace tune-ups →