In winter, a heating system can be considered the heart of a home. Your comfort depends on its efficient operation.

Furnace maintenance

Having your heating equipment serviced by a reputable heating specialist before the start of each heating season could reduce your fuel bill as much as 10 percent and could save you the discomfort and expense of equipment breakdown during the winter.
If your furnace is fired by oil or gas, have the maintenance contractor clean the furnace and flue outlets, check the belt for tension and wear, oil the motor and fan bearings (if they are not sealed), change or clean the filters, check combustion and safety devices and make other adjustments or tests recommended in your owner's manual.

For gas furnaces, check the pilot light for a clean, blue flame and the have the sensing unit cleaned.

There are several things you can do to keep your furnace running efficiently. Check furnace filters every two months during the heating season; clean or replace them as needed. Clean the fan blades annually. Keep the area around the furnace housing free of dust, lint and litter.

Recognize trouble signals such as odors, soot at the burner, black smoke rising from the chimney or surging water in a boiler that gauge indicate malfunction or improper adjustment. Get professional assistance.

An electric furnace requires little maintenance. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

If one area of your home gets more heat than it needs, or if your heating is uneven, the system probably needs to be balanced. A heating service specialist can do this.

If you have a hot water baseboard heating system, consider adding thermostats, valves, and piping to provide zone heating for several areas.