Fall has arrived and if you haven’t had your furnace serviced yet, now is the time to have it checked, cleaned and inspected. A professional tune-up will lengthen the life of your furnace, guarantee maximum efficiency and decrease the chance of a costly breakdown in the dead of winter.

Angie’s List turned to HVAC experts for advice on how you can keep your monthly heating bills low:

• Install a programmable thermostat. This allows you to automatically lower the temperature at night and during the workday.
• Check your furnace filters every month. The cleaner the filter, the more efficient the furnace. Check the filter every month and replace as necessary.
• Set your water heater for 120 degrees. Dialing down the temp will still keep your shower steamy and produce enough hot water for your daily needs.
• Close the flue/damper on your fireplace when you are not using it. Cold air enters and warm air escapes up the chimney.
• Caulk, seal and weatherstrip where drafts are detected. Walk through your home with a lit stick of incense. Drafts will pull the smoke in that direction, making it easier to determine where the cold air is seeping in.
• Check your insulation: Your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors and crawl spaces are the places that should be well insulated.
• Get an energy audit: An audit will assess how much energy your home uses and find ways to improve efficiency. There are professionals you can hire for this service, or contact your utility company to see if they offer free or discounted home energy audits.