Rainy Season Furnace Checklist

Change the filter

Replace any filter left in since smoke season; it may be full of dust and ash.

Test early

Run the heat on a cool fall evening, before you need it, to catch problems early.

Expect a smell

A brief burning-dust smell at first start is normal. A lasting smell isn't.

Check the vents

Make sure furnace vents on the roof or wall aren't blocked by leaves or nests.

CO alarms

Test carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries.

Heat pump defrost

Heat pumps may pause to defrost on cold, damp mornings. That's normal.

Drains

Clear leaves from around outdoor units and check drains flow.

Book a tune-up

A fall tune-up checks burners, igniters and safety controls.

More help

See furnace repair.

Thermostat batteries

Change thermostat batteries in the fall so the heat doesn't stop during the first storm of the season.

Keep returns clear

Furniture, rugs and boxes over return grilles choke airflow and make the furnace overheat. Keep them clear.

Power cuts

Winter storms can knock out power. After an outage, check the furnace restarts and that the thermostat schedule is still set correctly.

Damp crawl spaces

If ducts run through a crawl space, check it for standing water after heavy rain. Water under the house adds moisture to the air and can damage ducts.

Listen at start-up

Stand near the furnace the first time it runs. Clicking followed by the burners lighting is normal; repeated clicking without lighting, banging or squealing is worth a technician's look.

Clear the area

Move boxes, paint and laundry away from the furnace. It needs air to burn safely and space for service.

More heating and cooling guides

• Cool Mornings, Hot Afternoons: Heating and Cooling in Santa Rosa
• Wildfire Smoke and Your Home's Air
• Are Heat Pumps a Good Fit for Sonoma County Homes?
• Title 24 Permits for HVAC Changes in California
• Heating and Cooling Older Homes Without Ducts
• Hiring an HVAC Contractor in California