In Santa Barbara the heat sits off for months, then everyone turns it on the same week. A few minutes now saves a cold night later.
The checklist
- Change the filter. Start the season with a clean one. See which filter, and how often.
- Test the thermostat. Fresh batteries, set to Heat, and turn it up a few degrees to make sure the system starts.
- Open the vents. Make sure supply registers and the return grille aren't closed or blocked by furniture or rugs.
- Clear around the furnace. Move stored boxes, paint and cleaning supplies away from it, especially in a garage or closet.
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. See carbon monoxide and your furnace.
The burning-dust smell
The first time the heat runs each season, dust that settled on the heat exchanger burns off. A faint burning smell for the first hour or so is normal. If it lasts, smells electrical, or you smell gas, turn the system off and call. If you smell gas, leave the house first and call the gas company from outside.
A maintenance visit
A yearly visit before heating season is the best way to find a small problem before it becomes a cold-night call. See what a maintenance visit covers, or call us at 805-965-6326.
Related
More tips on heating.