Unmaintained Furnaces Could Mean Costly Repairs, Safety Risks as Almanac Forecasts a Stormy Winter

With a winter ahead packed with “snow, sleet and surprises,” HomeServe urges homeowners to schedule a professional furnace tune-up before the winter heating season. National Fall Tune-Up Day, observed each Sept. 25, spotlights a simple step that can prevent dangerous breakdowns, reduce energy bills and keep families safe.

Winter Is Coming

The Farmers' Almanac 2026-2027 winter forecast calls for a wet storm track across the South, cold snaps through the North, and an unpredictable mix of rain, sleet and wet snow across the Northeast — with the worst conditions in January and February. The almanac's bottom line: “Keep the snow shovel, rain boots and ice scraper close at hand. This winter, you may need all three.”

That puts pressure on home heating systems — especially those that haven't been serviced, and, in a HomeServe survey of HVAC contractors, 43% said most customers don’t proactively schedule a tune-up.

Most Homeowners Are Unprepared

The 2026 HomeServe State of the Home survey revealed 22% of American homeowners needed an HVAC repair or replacement in the past 12 months, making it one of the most frequently reported home emergencies. Yet more than half of homeowners have $1,000 or less set aside for unexpected home repairs.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

A professional furnace tune-up costs between $150 and $300 on average. A repair usually includes a service call fee averaging $75 to $200, an hourly technician rate, plus necessary replacement parts. A full system replacement averages between $3,800 and $12,000 for parts, installation and labor.

Poorly maintained systems also cost homeowners. Maintaining your system can reduce your costs by 5 to 10%, and heating accounts for nearly half of a home’s energy use.

Safety Is on the Line

Risks goes beyond the wallet. Home fires caused 75% of deaths and injuries in 2024, and heating equipment was the second leading cause.

Carbon monoxide poses an equal threat. Unintentional CO poisoning — not linked to fires — kills more than 400 Americans each year and sends more than 100,000 to emergency departments. Neglected heating equipment is a leading contributor.

What a Tune-Up Includes

A furnace tune-up takes about an hour. A certified HVAC technician will:

• Inspect safety systems, controls and electrical connections
• Clean burners, flue pipes and blower assemblies
• Replace filters to improve airflow and quality
• Examine thermostats, motors, ignition systems and condensate lines

Regular maintenance can extend a furnace's lifespan and reduces the likelihood of a breakdown when technicians have limited availability. Peak season impacts wait times – 18% of polled contractors had moderate or extended wait times for customers during peak heating season, including 11 percent who had wait times of more than three days or had to turn customers away altogether. Additionally, 32% said supply chain constraints and limited parts availability had moderate to severe impact on completing timely repairs.

Act Now, Before Demand Peaks

Homeowners are encouraged to schedule a tune-up this fall, before seasonal demand increases wait time for technician availability. For more information, visit www.NationalTuneUpDay.com.

About HomeServe USA

For more about HomeServe - a leading home repair solutions company with more than 4.6 million customers across North America and working with nearly 1,400 leading municipal and utility partners - head to www.homeserve.com. You can also connect with HomeServe on Facebook @HomeServeUSA, Twitter @HomeServeUSA, Instagram @HomeServe_USA, and LinkedIn @HomeServe-USA.

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September 25 is National Fall Tune-Up Day. HomeServe encourages homeowners to schedule an HVAC tune-up this fall, before seasonal demand increases wait time for technician availability. For more information, visit www.NationalTuneUpDay.com.