To work properly, a furnace needs adequate airflow. If your furnace is having problems with starting, or seems to be trying to start but doesn't, blocked airflow from the intake pipe is a common culprit. Even if you aren't having trouble with your furnace, it's a good idea to check your intake before it gets cold and a few times during the winter for the sake of safety and efficiency. While snow and ice are the typical causes for blocked air intake, other causes are more likely for mild Mediterranean climates.
Look at your furnace and find the intake and exhaust pipes. These are black or white plastic pipes. Examine where they exit the building; it's most likely through a wall near the furnace.
Go outside and look for the intake and exhaust pipes, based on where they exited the building when you looked at the furnace. Often, they will be a set of curved pipes near the foundation of your home, though some systems have the intake and exhaust pipes on or near the roof, in which case you will need a ladder to examine them.
Examine the intake and exhaust pipes, looking for anything that could be blocking the pipe. For instance, leaves or dirt could clog a pipe, or shrubs that are planted too close to the pipes could block airflow. A 3-foot area around the pipes should be completely clear. Check inside the pipe, as well, to see if anything has blown inside.
Remove any obstructions, if you find any. If you have been having trouble with getting your furnace to start, the furnace will most likely start immediately once the obstruction has been cleared. If not, look for starting instructions. These are often put in a plastic bag on or near the furnace or inside of the access panel. If it does not work after following start-up instructions, there is either still an obstruction or something else is at fault.
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