Maintenance & Seasonal
How do I get my furnace ready for Iowa winter?
A fall checklist for Des Moines homeowners — test the heat, check carbon monoxide alarms, and book a tune-up before the first hard freeze, while service is still easy to get.
Fall checklist
What should I do to prep my furnace in fall?
In Des Moines, IA, prep the furnace in fall, before the first hard freeze: replace the filter, test the heat early, press test on every carbon monoxide detector, clear the vents, and book a heating tune-up. Doing it now beats discovering a problem on the first sub-zero night.
- 1
Replace the furnace filter
Begin the heating season with a clean filter so the furnace gets the airflow it needs and runs efficiently.
- 2
Test the furnace early
Run the heat on a cool fall day, before the first hard freeze, and confirm it fires and warms the house within a few minutes.
- 3
Listen and smell during that first run
A brief dusty smell is normal at first start. Persistent burning, a gas odor, or banging and rattling means stop and call for service.
- 4
Test and update carbon monoxide detectors
Press test on every CO detector and replace batteries. With gas heat running all winter, working CO alarms are essential, not optional.
- 5
Clear vents, returns, and the area around the furnace
Keep supply registers and cold-air returns open, and keep boxes and storage away from the furnace for safe airflow and access.
- 6
Check the thermostat
Switch it to heat, set a comfortable schedule, and replace batteries if needed so the system runs reliably through winter.
- 7
Confirm the exhaust vent is clear
Make sure the outdoor intake and exhaust pipes are free of nests, leaves, and (later) snow and ice so combustion gases vent safely.
- 8
Book a professional heating tune-up
Have a technician inspect the burners, igniter, safety controls, and heat exchanger before the deep cold so a hidden fault is caught early.
Want the heating tune-up handled before every Iowa winter? Our maintenance plans schedule it each fall, and our emergency service is here if the heat ever quits in a deep freeze.
Iowa local truth
“If it heated fine last winter, it’s ready.” A furnace that sat idle all summer can hide a cracked heat exchanger or a failing igniter that only shows up under load. Test and inspect it in fall — not on the first sub-zero Des Moines night, when a no-heat call becomes an emergency.
Common questions
When should I get my furnace ready in Iowa?
In fall, before the first hard freeze. Testing and tuning early means any problem is found while it is easy to schedule service — not on the first sub-zero night when heat matters most.
Why does my furnace smell like burning when it first turns on?
A light, dusty smell on the first run of the season is usually dust burning off the heat exchanger and fades within an hour. A strong, ongoing burning or gas smell is different — shut the system down and call for service right away.
Do I really need a furnace tune-up every year?
Yes. An annual heating tune-up checks the burners, igniter, safety controls, and heat exchanger — including cracks that can leak carbon monoxide. It is the inspection a quick self-test cannot replace, and many warranties expect it.
Can you handle fall furnace prep for me?
Yes. All Seasons HVAC maintenance plans include a fall heating tune-up scheduled before each Iowa winter, and we offer emergency service if the heat goes out on the coldest night.