Preparing Your Heating System for Winter in the Inland Empire

Winters in the Inland Empire are milder than many parts of the country, but nighttime temperatures can still drop enough to put real demand on a heating system that hasn't run since last season.

Start with a visual check of your furnace or heat pump: clear away any debris, dust, or stored items around the unit, and make sure vents and returns throughout the home are unobstructed.

Replace or clean your air filter before the season starts. A clogged filter restricts airflow and makes your system work harder just to reach the same temperature.

Test your system before you actually need it. Turn on the heat on a warm day and let it run for a few minutes, listening for unusual noises and checking that warm air is coming through every vent.

If it's been a year or more since your last professional tune-up, schedule one before the cold weather sets in. A trained technician can catch small issues, like a cracked heat exchanger or a failing igniter, before they turn into a no-heat emergency on a cold night.