Before leaving your Richmond Hill home for a winter vacation, schedule any necessary furnace service, replace a dirty filter, set the thermostat to a safe temperature, test carbon monoxide alarms, clear exterior furnace vents, and arrange for someone to check the property during your absence.

Never turn the furnace off completely during an Ontario winter. Your heating system must continue protecting the home, plumbing, appliances, and personal belongings from freezing temperatures.

What Temperature Should You Leave the Thermostat At?

Enbridge Gas recommends setting the thermostat to approximately 17 degrees Celsius when you are sleeping or away from home. This setting can reduce unnecessary heating without allowing the house to become dangerously cold.

The ideal setting may depend on:

1. The age of the home

2. Plumbing locations

3. Insulation levels

4. Basement and crawl space conditions

5. Expected outdoor temperatures

6. Whether vulnerable pipes are located near exterior walls

7. How long you will be away

Do not switch the furnace off to save money. Frozen plumbing can cause far more damage than the energy saved during a short vacation.

A smart thermostat with vacation mode can help maintain a protective temperature and allow remote monitoring. ENERGY STAR notes that vacation settings are designed to manage indoor temperatures while helping prevent frozen pipes during winter absences.

A broader home heating and cooling guide can help homeowners understand how thermostat settings affect the complete comfort system.

Should You Have the Furnace Inspected Before Leaving?

Yes, especially when the furnace has shown warning signs or has not received recent professional service.

TSSA advises Ontario homeowners to have fuel burning appliances inspected annually by a registered fuel contractor. It also recommends maintaining certified carbon monoxide alarms and testing them regularly.

Schedule professional service before your trip when the furnace:

1. Starts and stops repeatedly

2. Makes banging or squealing sounds

3. Produces weak airflow

4. Blows cold air

5. Displays an error code

6. Has needed recent repairs

7. Is more than fifteen years old

8. Struggles during cold weather

A qualified furnace technician Toronto should inspect the furnace operation, ignition system, blower, safety controls, venting, drainage, and thermostat.

The HVAC Trust licensed furnace technician guide explains how homeowners can evaluate technician qualifications and service recommendations.

Should You Replace the Furnace Filter?

Yes. Inspect the filter before leaving and replace it when it looks dirty.

A blocked filter can restrict airflow, cause overheating, reduce heating performance, and contribute to repeated furnace shutdowns. You do not want the system entering a safety lockout while the home is empty.

Turn the furnace off before removing the filter. Confirm that the replacement:

1. Has the correct dimensions

2. Uses a suitable filtration level

3. Is installed in the correct direction

4. Fits securely inside the cabinet

If changing the filter does not restore normal airflow or heating, arrange professional furnace repair Toronto before travelling.

The HVAC Trust complete furnace repair guide explains how airflow problems can develop into winter breakdowns.

Why Should You Check Exterior Furnace Vents?

High efficiency furnaces commonly use exterior pipes for combustion air and exhaust. Snow and ice can cover these openings and interrupt normal furnace operation.

TSSA warns that blocked vents can cause appliance malfunctions and increase the risk of carbon monoxide accumulating inside the home. It advises homeowners to clear loose snow gently with a broom or car brush without using sharp tools or striking the pipes.

Enbridge Gas also advises keeping natural gas meters, regulators, and appliance vents clear throughout the winter to reduce safety hazards and service interruptions.

Before leaving:

1. Identify the furnace intake and exhaust pipes

2. Remove loose snow or visible debris

3. Keep snow blower discharge away from the area

4. Ask a trusted person to check the vents after storms

5. Do not leave stored items beside the openings

The HVAC Trust guide explaining why furnaces fail during Canadian cold snaps provides additional information about extreme winter demand and blocked venting.

Should You Test Carbon Monoxide Alarms?

Yes. Test every carbon monoxide alarm according to the manufacturer’s instructions before leaving.

Check:

1. The test button

2. Battery condition

3. Replacement date

4. End of life warning

5. Alarm placement

Ontario introduced expanded carbon monoxide alarm requirements for existing homes effective January 1, 2026. Applicable homes with fuel burning appliances must have alarms installed in required locations, including near sleeping areas and on relevant storeys.

A carbon monoxide alarm cannot arrange emergency help when nobody is home unless it is connected to a monitored or smart notification system. Consider using suitable connected alarms that can send alerts to your phone or monitoring provider.

Should Someone Check Your Home While You Are Away?

Yes. Ask a trusted neighbour, relative, or property caretaker to check the home regularly.

Provide instructions covering:

1. The normal indoor temperature

2. The furnace location

3. The thermostat controls

4. Exterior furnace vents

5. The main water shutoff

6. The HVAC contractor’s contact details

7. What to do if an alarm activates

8. How to reach you

A remote thermostat can alert you when the indoor temperature falls, but it cannot clear snow, inspect water damage, or meet a technician at the property.

Someone should investigate promptly when the temperature drops unexpectedly or the thermostat reports a furnace problem.

Should You Shut Off the Water?

Shutting off the main household water supply may reduce water damage if a pipe bursts, but the correct decision depends on your plumbing, heating system, water heater, fire protection system, and insurance requirements.

Learn how the home’s main water shutoff works before leaving. The Government of Canada recommends knowing how to shut off and drain household plumbing because pipes can freeze during winter power outages.

Do not drain or shut down systems without understanding how they interact with boilers, humidifiers, water heaters, or other equipment. Ask an appropriate professional when uncertain.

What Should You Do If the Furnace Has Been Unreliable?

Do not leave an unreliable furnace responsible for protecting an empty home.

Arrange diagnosis when the system has recently stopped, short cycled, produced unusual noises, or failed during cold weather.

Someone searching for furnace repair near me Toronto should schedule service before departure rather than hoping the problem will not return.

The HVAC Trust guide to fast and reliable heating service explains what information to provide during an urgent appointment.

For an older furnace requiring a major repair, compare the repair estimate with current furnace prices Toronto before leaving it unattended for an extended period.

An experienced HVAC Toronto contractor can help determine whether repair, maintenance, or replacement is the safest choice.

What Is the Bottom Line?

Before a winter vacation, keep the furnace operating, set the thermostat near 17 degrees Celsius, replace a dirty filter, test carbon monoxide alarms, clear exterior vents, and arrange for someone to inspect the property.

Schedule professional service before leaving when the furnace has shown any signs of unreliable operation.

The goal is not only to keep the house comfortable. It is to protect the plumbing, prevent frozen pipes, maintain safe furnace operation, and reduce the chance of returning to an expensive winter emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I turn my furnace off during a winter vacation?

No, the furnace should remain on to protect the home and plumbing from freezing.

What temperature should I leave my house in winter?

Enbridge Gas recommends approximately 17 degrees Celsius when you are sleeping or away.

Should I change the furnace filter before travelling?

Yes, replace it when dirty so the furnace has suitable airflow during your absence.

Can a smart thermostat protect an empty home?

It can monitor temperature and send alerts, but someone should still be available to inspect the property.

Should someone clear furnace vents after snowfall?

Yes, blocked exterior vents can interrupt furnace operation and increase carbon monoxide risk.