5 Tips For Keeping Your Furnace Running This Winter

When winter settles into Colorado, your Arvada furnace becomes one of the hardest-working systems in your home. With cold snaps, dry air, and high elevation conditions affecting performance, regular maintenance is essential to keep your heating system safe, efficient, and reliable.

At Mighty Pine, our Arvada HVAC contractors want homeowners to stay warm without the stress of unexpected breakdowns or high energy bills.

Here are the furnace care tips we recommend for every household in the Denver Metro area.

1. Change Your Air Filter Often (Not Just Every 3 Months)

Arvada’s dry climate and dusty conditions can clog furnace filters faster than average. When airflow is blocked, your system must work harder — which leads to higher utility bills, more wear and tear, and uneven heating.

Our recommendation:

• Check your filter monthly during the heating season
• Replace it every 1–3 months depending on usage and indoor air quality

If your furnace is blowing lukewarm air or running constantly, the filter is often the culprit.

2. Keep Vents, Registers & the Area Around Your Furnace Clean & Clear

Dust, pet hair, and furniture blocking vents can prevent warm air from circulating properly. This creates cold spots and forces the furnace to run longer.

Quick maintenance tip: Vacuum vents regularly and make sure furniture or rugs aren’t restricting airflow.

Storage items too close to your furnace can restrict airflow or create fire hazards. Give your heating system some breathing room.

Follow the 3-foot rule: Keep flammable items far away — especially paint, cardboard, clothing, and holiday décor.

3. Test and Calibrate Your Thermostat

A misreading thermostat can make your home feel too cold or too warm — and lead to wasted energy. This is especially common in older Arvada homes or when the thermostat is installed near exterior doors or sunny windows.

What to check:

• Correct mode: set to HEAT
• Working batteries
• Proper placement away from drafts or heat sources

If temperatures fluctuate or the furnace short cycles, your thermostat may need calibration or replacement.

4. Replace Batteries in Safety Devices

Colorado homes often operate their furnaces for long stretches — making safety equipment essential. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are your first line of defense if something goes wrong.

Best practice:

• Replace batteries annually
• Test alarms monthly
• Make sure at least one CO detector is near your bedrooms
• Install a detector near your furnace if one isn’t already present

Carbon monoxide risks increase when heating systems are poorly vented or neglected — don’t take chances.

5. Schedule Professional Furnace Maintenance Each Year

A yearly heating inspection in Arvada helps your furnace handle Colorado’s winter demands without breaking down during the coldest nights. Tune-ups restore efficiency, extend system lifespan, and catch safety issues early.

A Mighty Pine technician will:

• Clean burners and ignition components
• Test safety switches and electrical connections
• Inspect blower motors and belts
• Verify carbon monoxide levels
• Check gas pressure and venting
• Ensure proper airflow and temperature output

When problems are caught early, repairs are far more affordable — and far less stressful.

Why Maintenance Matters More in Arvada

Our elevation and climate create unique challenges for furnaces:

• Thin air affects combustion — gas systems must be calibrated properly
• Dry winters increase dust movement — clogging filters faster
• Freeze-thaw cycles stress equipment — leading to more wear

A little prevention goes a long way in keeping your home cozy all season long.

Need Furnace Service in Arvada? Call Mighty Pine!

If your furnace is due for a tune-up, or acting up, we’re here to help. Mighty Pine Heating & Air services all furnace brands and models, and we respond quickly when your heat won’t wait.

Stay warm, stay safe, and stay prepared — schedule your furnace inspection with Mighty Pine today!

Call (720) 538-8755