(BPT) - As the days get shorter and cooler, it's the perfect time to turn your attention to your heating system. Before it gets too chilly, you'll want your HVAC system to be in great condition - clean, tuned up and ready to go.

The pros at Aire Serv, a Neighborly company, offer safety and money-saving tips so your home will be comfortable during the colder days to come.

Check the basics

Experts recommend periodic checks that all heating and return vents around your home are unobstructed. Making sure furniture and other items don't block air from moving freely means a consistent temperature from room to room, and your furnace won't have to work as hard.

Also, clear areas around your water heater, clothes dryer (including the vent) and fireplaces to reduce the risk of fire and other hazards.

Pro tip: Close your fireplace damper when not in use, so warm air can't escape.

Schedule your fall tune-up

Even if you consider yourself handy, it's best to have a trained HVAC service professional perform the tune-up and cleaning so your HVAC system and furnace can operate efficiently - saving you money on energy bills all year, keeping your home more comfortable and ensuring the system is safe.

Don't wait for the first frigid day to get your furnace serviced, as many service professionals receive increased calls during extremely cold days due to system breakdowns. A fall service means you'll have prioritized service and have no down time. And definitely don't wait until noticing things like bad smells to call your service professional. While it may be normal to smell burning dust at the beginning of the season, it could also be a warning sign of a dangerous problem.

Consider a duct cleaning service to clear dust and debris from your home's heating ducts. Experts recommend that with some exceptions, duct cleaning should be completed every 3-5 years.

Remember: If you smell gas, leave your home immediately and call 911, then contact your service professional.

Change your furnace filter frequently

If you can't recall the last time you changed the furnace filter, chances are it's overdue. Experts recommend swapping HVAC air filters every 30 to 90 days to ensure no dust or debris builds up in your system.

When air can flow freely through the unit, your system doesn't need to work as hard to heat your home. This translates to lower energy bills and a fresher home. If anyone in your family struggles with asthma or allergies, prioritize this task, and consider changing the filter more frequently - especially when pollen is high.

Pro tip: Write the date on the side of your filter when you change it and put a reminder for the next swap on your calendar.

Thermostats make a difference

To help save money on heating costs, take time to learn how your thermostat works. Turning down your thermostat is one of the most effective ways to save on heating: You can save approximately 15% of your heating bill just by lowering heat 7 degrees over an eight-hour period.

It's common to react to short-term temperature changes by bumping it up and down, but constant changes cost more. If you don't have one, get a programmable thermostat so you can "set it and forget it." Set lower temps when you're away from your home or asleep, but no lower than 67 degrees, to prevent issues like freezing pipes.

Pro tip: If your HVAC system isn't working well despite regular maintenance and cleaning, your thermostat could be the culprit. Upgrading to a new programmable thermostat, or smart thermostat you can operate from your phone, could be a great step toward a more efficient heating system.

Consider HVAC upgrades

If you have an older furnace, you may want to consider a new, more energy-efficient unit. Most older homes have ducted systems, but ductless heating systems (also called ductless mini-split systems) have an outdoor compressor connected to multiple indoor units so you can heat or cool specific zones or rooms.

Your service technician can help you learn the pros and cons of each system and assess issues like purchase price versus operating expense, your home's floor plan, existing ductwork and aesthetic differences.

Dislike dry air in your home? The answer could be a whole-home humidifier. Furnace heating systems can cause havoc on your skin, making air dry and difficult to breathe - and negatively impact wooden furniture. A furnace humidifier installed on your furnace can distribute moistened air equally throughout your home.

To learn more and find an experienced Aire Serv service professional to help keep your home warm, safe and comfortable, visit AireServ.com/tune-up.