You don't want to find out that your heater doesn't work when you wake up to frost on your car and the temperatures are chilly. If you felt like your heating bills were high in the past couple years and that your furnace isn't heating like it used to, it may be time to get it checked out. If the air quality is poor and dry, these are other problems to inspect. Just like all appliances and machinery, it's important to properly care for a furnace. Here are some of the things that you want to do.

Get a Tune-Up and Professional Inspection

A tune-up alone can make a big difference in how the unit runs, and with the efficiency of the unit. During a tune-up the professional will replace the filter and clean all of the compartments and chambers, lubricate gears and metal components, and check the sensors. You want to make sure everything is working properly. The inspection could show flaws that need repaired, and could be the reasons why you notice it isn't working as well as you would like it to.

Ask About Humidifier and Actuator Options

Since someone is already at your home, you will want to ask about humidifier and actuator options. Adding a humidifier to the furnace can help to keep the air moist and to prevent problems that directly related to dry air.

An actuator actually brings fresh air into the home. This helps to prevent the air inside the house from becoming stale and dusty. It can also help with circulation. Talk with the HVAC professional about how these can improve air quality in your home.

Have the Ducts Cleaned

The ducts could be causing problems for the HVAC system. If you can't remember the last time they were cleaned out or if they have ever been cleaned out, schedule that with the residential heating professional. Lint and dust lining the edges of the ducts, along with duct leaks and other problems can cause inefficiency and should be taken care of right away. They can also cause air quality concerns.

If you know that it's soon to be time to turn on your furnace and that you aren't ready to deal with the furnace not working well or efficiently, get ahead of the problem and get it fixed. There are a lot of ways that the unit can be tweaked and maintained to help it work more efficiently, and ways to improve the air quality.