Spring has arrived, and so have warmer temperatures. As the weather warms up, you’ve already started to hang your coats back in closets, throw boots into baskets, and dump scarves back in storage. You no longer need layers to keep you warm—and your furnace no longer needs to keep the heat pumping throughout your home.

But how do you turn off your furnace in a safe and efficient way that makes it easy to switch back on in the fall? Below, our step-by-step guide teaches you how.

Turning Off Your Gas Furnace

Step 1: Switch the mode on your thermostat.

First things first: visit your thermostat. When it’s warm enough to open the windows, or maybe even turn on the A/C, you’ll want to switch the mode on your thermostat from “heat” to “off,” or from “heat” to “cool.”

Step 2: Replace the furnace filter.

Over time, your furnace filter can get clogged with dirt, dust, mold spores, pet dander, bacteria … you name it. The build-up can compromise your filter’s ability to keep the air circulating throughout your home clean; decreasing your furnace efficiency and increasing energy costs.

We recommend replacing your furnace filter about every one to three months, depending on usage, to keep your system working as it should. By replacing your furnace filter at the end of winter or beginning of spring, your furnace is set and ready to go for fall, when cooler temps start up again.

Step 3: Check the pilot light.

A pilot light is a small gas flame that serves as an ignition source for your furnace. Pilot lights should be kept lit in the offseason, unless you know how to relight the pilot light on your own. Turning the pilot light off during the warm spring and summer months can save on gas and money. To turn off the pilot light, find the valve on the gas line running directly to your furnace. Turn it to the “off” position—a.k.a. pointing away and running perpendicular to the gas line.

Make sure you reposition the valve back to “on” when you turn your furnace back on in the fall. Otherwise, the pilot light will be impossible to get going again.

*Bonus* In case of an emergency…

Smell rotten eggs? This could be a sign of a gas leak. If you suspect a leak, turn off the gas immediately. Open your windows, exit your home, and seek safety. Then, call your utility company, so they can take care of the issue and you can get back to enjoying your home.

Enjoy the Season!

Spring and summer don’t last long—especially if you live in Minnesota. Enjoy the seasons to their fullest by spending time outdoors, and letting fresh air into your home. Follow these steps to turn off your gas furnace, save energy, and even save a few extra dollars this season.

Learn more ways to get your home ready for spring with our spring cleaning checklist.