If the furnace has a standing pilot then you could shut it off and re-light it in the fall. New furnaces don't have standing pilots.

It is not necessary to turn off the gas. I would leave it alone. The furnace should have a light switch that shuts down the power. You can flip the switch to off, but even that is not necessary.

Your most important job is to change the filter on a regular basis.

The furnace is new? What is model number?

Difficult for me to believe it has a standing pilot...

If so, you should shut it off. Of course your gas bill will continue as I'm certain there is a minimum pmt.

IMO

It is brand new last summer I have no idea what kind of pilot it has, sounds like I don't need to worry about it, thanks!

Last furnaces I dealt with were heat pump interior only unit in a condo and before that an ancient in floor gas beast that I permanently turned off because it was scary.

I would want to know one way or another whether furnace has a standing pilot light or electric igniter. I doubt it has a standing pilot light which has been all but eliminated on today's models.

If you post Mdl number, I will try to look up the features.

IMO

I checked - it is Bryant Model 311JAV024045. Thank you for any info!

No standing pilot.

80% eff about 36 KBTUs output, 2 ton blower

See link.

Here is a link that might be useful: 311JAV Bryant Furnace

Thanks for confirming about the pilot.