Winter Heating Preparation
Winter Guide for Bay Area Homeowners
Bay Area winters may be mild compared to other regions, but a broken heater on a cold December night is no fun. Smart homeowners prepare their heating systems before the first chilly evening arrives.
Schedule Furnace Tune-Up
Annual heating maintenance ensures safe, efficient operation. Technicians inspect the heat exchanger, clean burners, check gas connections, and test safety controls. Schedule in September or October.
Test Your Heating Early
Don't wait for the first cold snap. Run your heater on a mild day to ensure it works properly. Odd smells on first startup are normal (dust burning off) but should dissipate quickly.
Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Gas heating requires working CO detectors on every level. Test monthly and replace batteries annually. This is a safety essential, not optional.
Replace Air Filter
A fresh filter ensures good airflow and efficiency. Check monthly during heating season and replace when dirty.
Inspect Visible Ductwork
Look for disconnections, gaps, or damaged insulation in accessible ducts. Leaky ducts waste energy and can draw in contaminated air from attics or crawlspaces.
Reverse Ceiling Fans
Set ceiling fans to clockwise (reverse) at low speed. This pushes warm air down from the ceiling without creating a cool breeze.
Winter Checklist
- 1Schedule professional furnace maintenance
- 2Test heating system operation
- 3Replace air filter
- 4Test CO detectors and smoke alarms
- 5Check thermostat batteries
- 6Inspect visible ductwork
- 7Clear area around furnace
- 8Check pilot light (if applicable)
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