Autumn means seasonal to-do lists for South Jersey residents: rake the leaves, bring out the heavy linens, decorate the house for Thanksgiving and get ready for the holidays. As you begin to winterize your home, it’s also the time to get your heater serviced before the colder weather has it kicking on more and more.

One thing homeowners use as a bookmark to have your heater serviced, or inspected, or get a tune-up, is when you move the clocks back an hour, like this weekend! You’ll get it done just as the temperature begins dropping and indoor air quality becomes more of a concern. A heater tune-up can keep you safe, improve the air quality in your home, and potentially save you money.

Service isn't a terribly expensive thing to do, but pays off in the long run. There’s usually a long checklist for an inspection, but generally speaking, a technician inspects and cleans the various components, checks for blockages and proper drainage and makes sure everything is working properly.

Is it worth the time and money? You bet. That one inspection could uncover a big problem, or at least give you peace of mind, and lower energy bills all winter long. Here are some of the advantages to getting your heater serviced...

A Serviced Heater Keeps You Safe

When it comes to a heater or furnace, a cracked heat exchanger or leak in the system can cause unwanted pollutants to seep into your home. In the winter, when the windows are all closed, it’s easier for them to build up. An unserviced heater may run “dirty,” or less efficiently, producing even more of the gas than normal.

Perhaps the biggest risk of a faulty heater is carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that’s produced by burning fuel. It’s poisonous to people and animals if it builds up, and without a detector, it’s almost impossible to tell if there’s a dangerous amount in your home.

When you have your heater inspected, the technician checks for cracks and leaks that can allow the gas to seep into your living space. A tune-up also means your unit will run efficiently, producing less exhaust, and prevent pollutants such as carbon monoxide from building up.

Getting Your Heater Inspected Improves Indoor Air Quality

As people start closing windows and sealing up drafts, less fresh air circulates through the house. Dust, allergens and bacteria also get trapped inside, and they can make you feel lousy as they linger in the air. A big part of avoiding that problem is getting your heater serviced to make sure the air in your home is as clean as possible.

Any forced-air ventilation system greatly affects indoor air quality. It circulates the air but doesn’t bring in fresh air from outside. Therefore, you want to be sure that the heated air coming from your heat source is as clean as possible.

One easy step any homeowner can take is to change the air filter on their system, and add an air scrubber. After that, an inspection goes a long way. A technician cleans out dust and debris inside the system, preventing those particles from moving through your home. An inspection also includes replacing worn-out, damaged or broken parts that can cause a malfunction. All this helps keep your heated air clean.

A Heater Tune-Up Saves You Money

Think of your furnace like a car: If you drove it for years without an oil change, would you really be surprised if it suddenly sputtered out on the highway? Similarly, giving your heating system a regular tune-up prevents a breakdown, especially at the most inopportune time.

Once winter hits, it’s a safe bet your heater is running almost constantly. That makes it more likely a frayed wire stops working, a rusty blower breaks down, or a worn-out heat exchanger finally cracks and the system breaks down when you need it most. That means not only a costly repair or even a replacement, but paying extra for emergency service in the dead of winter.

A tune-up catches these potential problems before they become costly catastrophes. It also helps saves some money each month on your energy bills. Along with checking for broken or breaking parts, an inspection includes cleaning out filters, traps, vents and more. That lets the air flow unrestricted, heating your home more efficiently with less energy than a blocked or dirty system needs.