Before you turn on the heat in your San Antonio home, take a few minutes to check the thermostat, accessible filter and room vents. The goal is not to diagnose the furnace yourself. It is to notice anything that deserves attention before you depend on the system for comfort.

If you recently moved in, start by finding the equipment manual and the last service record. A system that cooled your home during summer may use different components to provide heat.

Start with safety, not a test run

If you smell gas, leave immediately without operating switches or appliances. From a safe location, call 911 and CPS Energy at (210) 353-4357. Do not use a phone in the affected area or try to locate or repair the leak. Stay away until responders say it is safe. Follow CPS Energy's gas safety guidance.

If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, go outside to fresh air and call emergency services. Do not re-enter until responders say it is safe. Keep working CO alarms on each level and outside sleeping areas, following the manufacturer's instructions. The CPSC explains why alarms and professional appliance maintenance both matter.

Check the thermostat and accessible filter

  • Confirm the thermostat is set to the intended heating mode rather than cooling or fan-only operation.
  • Check its schedule and clock. An old away schedule can make the system appear unresponsive.
  • Follow the equipment manual when inspecting or replacing an accessible filter. Use the specified size and type, and do not remove equipment panels or enter an unsafe attic.

Not sure whether you have a furnace or heat pump? Read our equipment-identification guide before changing unfamiliar controls.

Look around the rooms you want to heat

Move furniture or curtains that cover accessible supply or return grilles. Note rooms that have been difficult to keep comfortable. Write down whether the issue changes with interior doors open or closed. These observations are more useful to a technician than guessing which part needs replacement.

Notice what happens during normal operation

With no warning signs present, use the system according to its manual. Note repeated shutdowns, unusual sounds, error messages or a home that does not warm toward the selected temperature. Do not repeatedly reset a breaker, bypass a safety switch or open the equipment to investigate. Smoke or a suspected fire calls for emergency help, not a service-request form.

Bring a short list to the service visit

Share the thermostat setting, what happened, which rooms were affected and any recent changes. Ask what was checked and whether recommended repairs are separate from maintenance. Our maintenance walkthrough explains that distinction.

For non-emergency heating concerns, request service from Amazing Air Solutions and ask about current availability.