Do These Things to Your Furnace Before Listing Your Home for Sale...

If you’re selling your house, your buyers aren’t going to be too happy if the furnace breaks down or dies shortly after they move in. In fact, depending on the terms of the contract you signed, you may be responsible for paying for repairs or even buying a new furnace if the unit goes belly up just as the new residents are settling in. Whenever possible, it’s better to maintain your furnace and have it inspected before you put the house on the market. Here are 5 furnace maintenance tips that will help extend your furnace’s life and ensure there are no problems when you’re selling your home.

1. Clean The Filter

Dirt and grime can easily build up around the filter, so it’s important to remove the cover of the furnace to inspect this component.

You could clean a dirty filter with a hard brush, or, since you’re preparing to sell your home, it may just be better to replace it with an entirely new filter.

2. Check the Blower and Motor

A professional should check the blower to ensure that no dirt has built up and there are no obstructions preventing air from getting through. They may need to use flashlights and mirrors in order to get a good look at the blower.

While they are doing this, they should also check to see if your furnace motor has covered oil ports. Most furnace motors are permanently lubricated and sealed, but if there are oil ports, your service person may need to lubricate them so the motor doesn’t overheat.

3. Seal the Venting Ducts

The venting ducts are necessary for removing flue gas from the unit. You certainly wouldn’t want flue gas leaking into your home when you’re showing it or when the new residents move in, so have your heating professional check the vents to ensure they’re well sealed. If any joints are loose, they may need to be resealed using metal screws.

4. Inspect the Burners

During an inspection, a professional should completely remove your furnace’s burners for cleaning. This is also a good time to check the inside of the furnace and look for cracks, holes, rusted areas, or separated seams.

Once the burners are free of dust and debris, and your service person has determined that there is nothing wrong with the structure of the furnace, they will reassemble the burners and the other heating components.

5. Perform Furnace Safety Tests Before Selling

Perhaps one of the most important things a professional can do before you put your home on the market is perform several tests to ensure your furnace is running efficiently and safely.
They should check to see if the high limit is working so the unit is not at risk of overheating, check the gas meter to ensure fuel is being burned efficiently, and use a carbon dioxide meter to ensure no dangerous gases are leaking into the home.

A malfunctioning furnace might not be an obvious problem, but it’s an essential element of your home that needs to be working properly for the new residents’ comfort and safety.

Finally, nothing puts a potential buyer at ease more than seeing a recent receipt with an "all clear" statement or report on it taped to the furnace!

Contact me today for a free Home Value Report or a Home Buyer's Toolkit