November is a good month to focus on your home’s heating system. Many choose November 1^st as a designated day to turn on their heater, while others have been enjoying the warmth for weeks. Whichever route you choose, now is a good time to pay attention to the heating efficiency of your home and make changes accordingly.

Check your bills. If you’re noticing higher than expected costs, start investigating. If your furnace is old and inefficient, consider replacing it. If the furnace isn’t the problem, pay attention to where you feel cold air getting in and warm air getting out. Often poor seals at doorways and windows can be to blame. If you’re not feeling a draft, climb into the attic or have a professional come out to evaluate your insulation. The quality of insulation today is significantly better than in years past, so if you own an older home it could be time for an upgrade. While you’re in the attic, check out your duct work. Torn or damaged ducting will definitely impact how efficiently heat moves through a home.

If it’s been a while since you’ve changed the filter in your furnace, change it now to avoid stressing your furnace unnecessarily. Also be sure that the area around your furnace isn’t cluttered, as dust and debris can dampen air flow. Finally, pay attention to your thermostat setting as an increase of even one degree can cause a big difference on your heating bill.