(NC) Each year when the temperature begins to drop, we start thinking about a “fall and winter to-do list” with items such as winter tires, shovels and new boots likely at the top of the list. However, one thing homeowners often don’t realize is that fall is the best time to start preparing your home’s heating system to avoid issues in the fall and winter.

Dave Walton, Director of Home Ideas for Direct Energy, shares the following tips for getting your heating system ready for winter:

• Prepare ahead of time: Schedule a furnace maintenance appointment before the snow arrives to get your equipment inspected.

• Replace your filters: Clogged filters mean your furnace motor has to work harder, which eats up more energy. Filters should be washed or replaced every three months.

• Out with the old, in with the new: Consider upgrading your old furnace to a new energy efficient unit. High efficiency = high savings. An older conventional burning furnace operates at 60 per cent efficiency. What does that mean? 40 cents of every dollar you spend on heating your home is going right up the chimney. A new high-efficiency furnace operates at over 90 per cent; wasting less than 10 cents on every dollar you spend heating your home.

• Get more insulation: Improving your home’s insulation is one of the fastest and most cost effective ways to cut down on your heating costs. You should have approximately 12 inches of insulation in your attic, anything less and you should get it topped up.

• Keep an eye on your energy bills: It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on energy use to ensure you’re able to manage your heating costs. Household heating costs makes up a significant part of our winter expenses in Canada so it’s important to be aware of your usage.

For more information and to get answers to all your home maintenance questions, visit Dave’s Corner at www.davescorner.ca.

 Source: www.newscanada.com

Information that is being provide is for Educational Purpose, Any electric work that is needing to be done, should be done by a Licensed Electrician.