One of the easiest ways to maintain your furnace and its efficiency is to check and change your furnace filter regularly. Typically, a standard 1-inch filter should be changed every 30 days. Higher-end, 5-inch filters may last up to 6 months. If you have pets or an extra dusty home, you should change it more frequently.

There’s no substitute for annual preventative maintenance by a certified HVAC professional. While the normal recommendation is that you have your furnace maintained once a year, it’s better to schedule two yearly checkups if you have a furnace and air conditioner. Annual maintenance helps to prevent heating emergencies and furnace breakdowns.

This involves not only scheduling professional maintenance but also checking your equipment and systems to make sure everything is ready for the cold weather. Keep the area around your indoor and outdoor unit free of clutter and debris, and have your ducts inspected.

Ensure the inside and outside vents are clean and free of debris. Dust or vacuum your vents and registers inside. As for the outdoor unit, if leaves or snow get near the exterior furnace vent, it can cause problems. Every time you walk past your furnace vents take a quick peek to ensure nothing is blocked, especially, after a big wind storm or snow blast.

At the beginning of every heating season, change your thermostat batteries. Changing batteries ensures your system never has to work harder to get your house back up to temperature due to the thermostat shutting off and failing to communicate with the furnace. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, program it for the winter.