A little preparation before your appointment helps the job go smoothly and ensures the technicians can clean your entire system without interruptions. Here's exactly what to do.

Before the Technicians Arrive

1. Clear Access to Your Furnace Room

Technicians need at least 3 feet of clear space around the furnace to work safely. Move any storage boxes, seasonal items, or clutter away from the furnace, hot water tank, and any nearby utility areas. If your furnace is in a tight closet, make sure the door can open fully.

2. Locate All Your Vents and Registers

Walk through your home and note where all the floor, wall, and ceiling vents are — including in closets, the laundry room, and any finished basement areas. Technicians will find them, but knowing your layout speeds up the walkthrough. If any vents are covered by furniture or rugs, move them aside beforehand.

3. Move Fragile Items Near Vents

The cleaning process involves compressed air and agitation tools inserted into vents. While technicians are careful, it's a good idea to move breakables, plants, or loose papers away from floor registers before they arrive.

4. Secure Your Pets

For their safety and the technicians' efficiency, keep pets in a room that won't be worked in — or better yet, a crate or outside. The truck-mounted vacuum creates significant noise, and many pets are distressed by the equipment sounds. Pet dander in the ductwork also becomes temporarily airborne during agitation, which can affect sensitive animals.

5. Purchase a New Furnace Filter

This is the most commonly missed step. After a cleaning, you'll want to install a fresh filter immediately — putting a dirty filter back negates some of the benefit. Check your current filter's size (it's printed on the frame) and have a replacement ready. Standard 1" filters are available at any hardware store; if you run a high-MERV or media filter, pick one up in advance as they're less commonly stocked.

6. Note Any Problem Areas

If you've noticed a vent that smells musty, a room that gets poor airflow, or a register that's been damaged, jot it down. Sharing this with the technician at the start of the appointment helps them pay extra attention to problem spots.

During the Appointment

You don't need to supervise, but stay available. The technicians will:

  • Do an initial walkthrough with you to confirm the scope
  • Work room to room — they'll let you know which areas are active
  • Need the furnace to be off during cleaning (they'll handle this)
  • May need occasional access to locked rooms

Good to know: The truck-mounted vacuum runs continuously and creates a low hum outside. This is normal — it's the equipment doing the heavy lifting.

After the Cleaning

  • Install your new furnace filter right away — don't run the system without one
  • Run the furnace fan for 20–30 minutes to settle any residual fine dust before returning to normal use
  • Wipe down floor registers with a damp cloth after a day or two — some fine surface dust may settle initially
  • Notice the difference in airflow and air freshness over the next few days

Questions about what to expect? See our full guide on how long the appointment takes, or book your cleaning online.