Will your furnace be reliable all winter?

As outdoor temperatures drop, there's no time like the present to be assured of a sufficient heat supply. Your furnace is a reliable friend, but it does need attention.

"We really encourage homeowners to start preparing for the winter months well in advance, which includes turning on their furnace to make sure it works," says Dave Frittenburg, president of the Canadian Oil Heat Association (COHA) Ontario Chapter. "If you know in the early fall that your furnace needs to be upgraded or replaced, arrangements can be made before the busy season starts."

Here are some more winter preparation tips for homeowners, courtesy of COHA:

* Schedule a cleaning and tune-up by a qualified technician before the snow starts to fly.

* In addition to professional inspections, homeowners should examine the heating system occasionally for signs of deterioration.

* Keep the area around your furnace free from dust, lint, rags, paint and other materials.

* Make sure your warm-air outlets and cold-air returns aren't covered by carpets or blocked by debris.

* Get your ducts cleaned to improve indoor air quality and to keep your heating system working efficiently.

To save energy:

* Check for leaks around doors and windows.

* Install a programmable thermostat. You can cut over 10% from your bill if you reduce your thermostat by just five degrees overnight.

* Ensure that all your insulation is in place and covers your entire attic.

* Install storm windows.

* Make sure air filters are cleaned/replaced. This ensures maximum efficiency and a system that will work to its potential.

More information is available online at www.newoil heat.com and at www.coha.ca.

- News Canada