SaskEnergy is running their Tune-Up Assistance Program once again this year.

The program allows SaskEnergy network members to service furnaces for low-income homeowners for free to ensure furnaces are in proper working order.

Leah Purlett was a recipient of one of the free furnace servicing. She said it’s very important to keep the furnace maintained.

“Especially with our winters, it gives me a huge sense of security to know that I can trust this furnace over the winter now,” Purlett said. “I think probably if it’s running more efficiently, it’s better for the environment too.”

Furnace technician Andrew McCann said it’s much like changing the oil in your vehicle.

“It’s that little bit of preventative that goes a long way in extending the life of your furnace and making sure that you’re not going to have any problems when it’s -40°C or Christmas Day.”

McCann said some furnaces that he works on are in rough shape because of a lack of preventative maintenance.

“Some of them are really bad because nobody has ever done their preventative maintenance, but other ones, people still change their filters, they just haven’t been able to get it finished.”

About 400 low-income homeowners in 31 communities will receive a free home heating tune-up from 60 SaskEnergy network members.