As the weather starts warming up this spring, make sure your home is ready for the heat. It’s especially important that homeowners who have furnaces or other HVAC units get them prepped for the change of season. Here is a brief checklist of suggested heating and cooling end-of-season maintenance one can do to prevent any health risks.

Clean and change your air filters. From lint and pollen to pet dander and dust mites, all sorts of stuff can be trapped inside your air filters. Changing them can not only help keep your air cleaner, but also often saves you money.

Close the gas valve. When you stop using your unit for heat, make sure to close the gas line. If you want to make sure your system’s operating correctly and not leaking any gas into your home, it’s recommended that you call a professional to check out the unit.

Change your belt and lubricating motors. Replacing belts allows for the motor to run efficiently, and cleaning and lubricating motors also is a must-do before the summer. Not doing so could cause the HVAC system to draw more power to circulate the air in your house, leading to higher energy bills.

Clean your evaporator and condenser coil before using your AC. Dirty coils could increase operating costs and reduce the unit’s effectiveness because adequate heat transfer is not provided.