Prepping your home heating system

Q: Last year, you published a list of steps to ready a home heating system for the winter. Can you print that list again? — Norma S., Birmingham, Ala.

A: Sure. A little maintenance of your home heating system goes a long way in terms of efficiency and the lifespan of the unit, so taking these few steps at the beginning of the heating season will save you money in the long run.

Forced-air systems generally run on oil or natural gas, though some are all-electric. They work by heating air in a furnace chamber and then distributing it throughout the house via a blower or fan and an air-duct system. Maintaining this kind of system is as simple as keeping certain parts dust and debris-free. At the start of the season, do the following:

“Clean the blower/fan by turning the unit off completely, opening the fan compartment (through an access door, or by removing the nearest furnace panel) and cleaning the fan blades with a bottle brush. Vacuum the compartment if possible.

“Inspect the fan belt on the blower motor, if the unit has one. Replace a worn belt. If the belt gives more than 1/3 inch when pressed, tighten or loosen the bolt to increase tension.

“Lubricate the blower motor, unless the unit is self-lubricating. Non-self-lubricating motors have oil ports at one or both ends; squirt four to six drops of SAE 10W30 oil into the ports.

“Inspect all visible air ducts, checking for visible damage and loose connections. Patch or replace damaged sections.

“Remove the grill covers from air registers and vacuum the interior to remove household dust.

“Most importantly, change the air filter. This should be done every month during the season to minimize dust and allergens entering your home’s living spaces.

In addition to this seasonal maintenance, a system check by a professional service should be done about every two years, or annually if you cannot access the blower compartment.