Have your furnace or heating systems serviced by a qualified service company every two years for a gas furnace and every year for an oil furnace.
Lubricate the circulating pump on the hot water heating system.
Check and clean or replace air filters each month during the heating season.
Vacuum electric baseboard heaters to remove dust.
Remove the grill on forced air systems and vacuum inside the ducts.
Have well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you test for bacteria once a year.
Check the sump pump line to ensure proper operation and to ensure that there are no line obstructions or visible leaks.
Remove screens from inside casement windows to allow for the heating system to keep condensation off window glass.
Ensure that all doors to the outside are shut tightly and check other doors for ease of use. Replace the door weather stripping if required.
Ensure windows and skylights are closed tightly.
Cover any outside air conditioning window units.
Ensure that the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation wall so that water does not drain into your basement.
Clean leaves from roofs and downspouts and test the downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof.
Check chimneys for obstructions such as a bird nests.
Drain and store outdoor hoses. Close the valve to the outdoor hose connections and drain the hose bib, unless your house has a frost-proof hose bib.
If you have a septic tank, measure the sludge and scum to determine if the tank needs to be emptied before the spring. Tanks should be pumped at least once every three years.
