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A fall furnace checklist for Spokane homeowners
The first cold snap is the worst time to find out the furnace has a problem, because that is when everyone else finds out too. Twenty minutes in September, and a professional tune-up, avoid most of it.
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NBy Nell Bradshaw, HVAC Guides Editor · Updated September 2026
Quick answerBefore a Spokane winter, replace the furnace filter, test the thermostat in heat mode, clear storage from around the furnace, check that the outdoor vent pipes are clear and mounted above the snow line, and test carbon monoxide alarms. Then book a professional tune-up to clean the burners and sensor, test safeties and measure combustion.
Why September beats December
Spokane averages about 132 frosty nights a year, beginning in September, and roughly 34 days that never get above freezing. The furnace parts most likely to fail, ignitors, flame sensors, pressure switches and blower capacitors, usually show warning signs in the first weeks of heating. Catching them in fall means a scheduled visit at a daytime rate instead of a no-heat call.
The 20-Minute homeowner checklist
These are safe for any homeowner:
- Replace the filter and note the size and date on the frame.
- Set the thermostat to Heat, raise the setpoint and confirm the furnace lights and warm air arrives within a few minutes.
- Replace thermostat batteries if it uses them.
- Clear boxes, paint cans and laundry from around the furnace and water heater.
- Walk outside and make sure both plastic vent pipes are open, undamaged and well above where snow drifts.
- Test every carbon monoxide alarm and check the expiration date on the back.
- Open every supply register and make sure furniture is not blocking returns.
What a professional tune-up adds
Some checks need tools and training. A furnace tune-up opens the burner compartment, inspects the heat exchanger with a camera, cleans the burners and flame sensor, tests the ignitor, checks gas pressure against the nameplate, tests the high-limit and rollout switches, and measures carbon monoxide in the flue with a combustion analyzer. You get the readings in writing.
Book the tune-up before the first freeze.
Call (509) 404-0016Snow and the vent pipes
Spokane gets most of its precipitation as winter snow, and high-efficiency furnaces breathe through plastic pipes on the side of the house. When a drift or roof slide covers them, the furnace shuts down on its safety. Know where your pipes are before the first storm, and clear them after every heavy snowfall. If they sit low, a technician can extend them above the expected snow line.
Humidifier and heat pump extras
If you have a whole-house humidifier, replace its water panel, open the water valve and set the bypass damper to winter. If you have a heat pump, check that the outdoor unit sits on a stand above snow level and that nothing is stored around it, and confirm the thermostat's backup heat settings. Heat pump maintenance covers the defrost test that keeps it working through winter.
Signs to book a repair instead
If the checklist turns up any of these, skip straight to a service call: burners that light and then shut off, a loud boom at ignition, a yellow or lazy flame, a burning smell that lasts more than the first few minutes of the season, soot around the furnace, or a carbon monoxide alarm. Our guide to a furnace blowing cold air explains the most common of these.
More Spokane heating and cooling guides
Fall furnace questions
Is a burning smell normal the first time the heat runs?
A dusty smell for the first few minutes is normal. A smell that lasts or smells electrical is not.
How often should I change the filter in winter?
Every one to three months, depending on the filter and household.
Do I need a tune-up every year?
Yes. Annual service catches worn parts and checks combustion safety.
Where should carbon monoxide alarms go?
Near sleeping areas and on every level of the home.
When should I book?
September or early October, before the first cold snap.
Get the furnace ready for winter.
Call to book a furnace tune-up in Spokane, WA.
