With the cold weather approaching, spend a few minutes going through this check list for seasonal maintenance of your forced air furnace.

1. Set your thermostat at a comfortable level during your family's wake hours and leave it there rather than adjusting it up and down.

2. Invest in a programmable thermostat to automatically lower the temperature when everyone is asleep or away from home. If you have a heat pump in conjunction with your furnace, it is not advisable to continually adjust the temperature, but leave it at one constant setting.

3. During active use, check your filter monthly. Permanent filters need to be cleaned, and disposable filters replaced. It is advisable to set up a regular service schedule with a local professional to check your furnace at the beginning of the season and to explain how you can access your filter for regular inspection. They will give your furnace a seasonal cleaning, examine all the working parts, and make any necessary repairs.

4. Check all your heat supply registers to ensure they are open and unobstructed by furniture or other objects.

If you're a handy kind of person, you may want to venture further and perform some of this basic maintenance yourself:

1. TURN OFF THE POWER TO YOUR FURNACE!!

2. There should be a door or panel to the blower unit ? some models label it "Filter". Lift it off its hooks or unscrew it.

3. Slide out the filter and decide whether it needs to be cleaned. For disposable filters, take note of the model and size. Permanent filters should have instructions for cleaning. Remember, a clean filter can mean the difference between dollars spent on wasted fuel costs and possible repairs to your unit.

4. When replacing the filter, ensure it slides back evenly on the track and the arrow is facing the correct direction for proper airflow.

5. While the furnace door is open, take this time to vacuum the area and wiping off the fan blades.

6. Inspect the motor and pulleys for worn belts and replace any if necessary.

A well-maintained furnace should provide you with years of worry-free, energy efficient heating for your household.