Start conserving energy

Lower your thermostat. For every two degrees you lower the thermostat, you’ll save about 4 percent on heating bills and reduce emissions by about 6 percent. You may not even notice the difference, especially at night. Don’t overdo it, however, especially if anyone elderly lives in your home.

Consider a programmable thermostat. One of these can help you cut heating costs as much as 20 percent by automatically lowering the temperature 5 degrees at night and 10 degrees during the day when you’re not home. If your home has several heating or cooling zones, such as a finished attic or basement, consider a programmable thermostat for each one.

Reduce hot water temperature. Save 7 to 11 percent of water-heating costs by keeping your water heater at the "normal" setting or 80?. Just be sure the owner's manual for your dishwasher doesn't require a higher setting.

Shorten showers. Showers account for two-thirds of your water-heating costs, so even shaving off a few minutes can help. By cutting the time you spend in the shower by half, you can save up to 33% on your hot water heating costs. Replacing a showerhead that’s more than 12 years old with a low-flow model can save up to half the hot water used for showering.

Basic troubleshooting

Check that the thermostat is set higher than the actual room temperature. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure it has fresh batteries.

If the system is zoned, make sure the selector switch is on heat.

Check the emergency switch to see that it is on.

If you are familiar with the fuse or circuit breaker panel, see if the fuse is burned or the breaker tripped. Correct the problem once. If it repeats, call a technician.

On pilot units, the burner will not light if the pilot has gone out. If you are not familiar with the function of the gas valve or lighting the pilot, call for service.

Units with electronic ignition have a sequence of safety steps before the burner takes to light. Information is usually attached to the inside of the burner or units access door. Follow the procedure according to the manufacturer's guidelines to avoid the risk of fire or explosion.

Do not disconnect any piping to check for gas supply. An instrument is used to check for pressure, and should be done by a qualified technician.

If the unit or the burner is vented through PVC (white plastic pipe) out the side of the building, examine the ends of the pipe or pipes outside. Blockage of any kind will cause a shutdown.

What can I do to ensure that my burner operates safely and properly?

Make sure you are not storing anything flammable, such as gas cans or lawnmowers, near your burner.
After several months of not running your heat, turn it on just to make sure it is working. You don't want to wait until the first cold day of autumn to find out that your heat doesn't work.
Have your burner properly maintained with a professional tune-up.