Summer has finally come to an end and fall is officially upon us. While the occasional bout of Indian summer might appear in the next month or so, we’ve largely been running our air conditioners less and less, and our heaters more and more in this environment. That makes now the perfect time to check your system for any lingering problems and schedule repairs with a trained technician if some are needed.

• Check for anything out of the ordinary. Most problems manifest themselves with strange behavior from your system when you turn it on. Anything that doesn’t correspond to your heating system’s normal functions is usually grounds for shutting the system off and calling for a repair service. That usually manifests in strange noises or reduced performance from your system: things like insufficiently cool air or low air flow from the vents. It can also translate to higher-than-expected monthly bills, indicating a subtle problem inside the system that might come back to bite you.
• Schedule a maintenance session. If you’re not sure whether or not there’s anything wrong with your system, you might schedule a maintenance session with a trained technician to give your heater a thorough once-over. Not only does this give the tech a chance to catch any big problems while they’re still small, but maintenance sessions entail correcting little problems like loose bolts that may reduce your system’s efficiency. Even if no repairs are needed, the maintenance will help your heater perform better, reducing monthly costs and lower the risks of a breakdown later in the season.

1. Lowered costs. When you catch a potential repair job early, the damage usually hasn’t had as much time to spread. That means repair costs are apt to run much lower than they might otherwise, sparing you the price of repairing damage that could have been avoided. It also lowers the chances of suffering a more serious breakdown later, and lets you use your heater with more confidence throughout the coming winter.
2. Leisurely scheduling. If you spot a potential repair issue now, before the heating season begins in earnest, you have several weeks to schedule a repair session before the weather gets too cold. That lets you set the repair up according to your timetable. Contrast that with an unexpected breakdown in the middle of winter, when you need to rearrange your schedule to handle emergency repairs and move quickly lest the malfunctioning heater turn your home into a popsicle.