With winter rapidly approaching, now is the time to make sure that your furnace is working properly. Weather can change quickly during fall and winter, and it is essential to have your furnace prepared to use.

There are seven things that you can do to make sure that your furnace is working properly this winter and that your family remains safe.

1. Check your Carbon Monoxide Detector. For safety reasons, the first thing you should do is check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector and ensure that everything is in working order. Once this is completed, you can focus your attention on your furnace.

2. Change Filters. Make sure that the filters on your unit are changed. Having clean filters allows the air to flow freely into your furnace. Having clean filters also reduces the stress on your heating unit when it is trying to bring in air to heat. Another benefit of getting your filters changed regularly is to help reduce the amount of dust that can enter your furnace's ductwork and interior.

3. Clean and Clear Vents. During the months that the furnace is not being used, it is easy to place things in front of the vents. Take some time and make sure that all of your vents are clear so that you have free moving air through your home. Clearing your vents is also an excellent way to protect your home from fires. While you are making sure that the vents are cleared, take a minute and dust the vents well. If you can remove the vents to clean them from behind, this is even more beneficial. Clean vents help to move air without placing additional strain on your furnace.

4. Check your Thermostat. If you have an older thermostat, check to make sure it is still in working condition. Try turning on your furnace and see if it engages. If your thermostat is old, it may be beneficial to have a new one installed. A newer thermostat will be more efficient and can help save you money on your heating bills. If you have a newer thermostat that requires batteries, replace the batteries in the thermostat so it does not turn off in the middle of a cold night.

5. After starting your furnace listen for strange or unusual noises coming from your heating system. Sometimes after a long period of inactivity the blower fan may get loose and cause noises. There can be many reasons as to why a strange noise is coming from your furnace. We recommend contacting a local professional like Always Ready Repair to make sure that everything is fixed to industry safety standards.

6. Even if it seems that your furnace is working fine you may notice that the system is not heating as it should. In that case we recommend having a local professional check the efficiency of your heating system to make sure the unit performs to its fullest ability.

7. Schedule a Furnace Maintenance Service with Always Ready Repair. Always Ready Repair offers a service where a professional technician will come out to clean and check your furnace to make sure it is ready for winter. This preventative maintenance service will look for worn or broken parts as well as any other issue that may prevent your furnace from working. Preventative maintenance can help ensure that your furnace is working when the cold hits and may prevent emergency service calls during the coldest parts of the year.