With temperatures dipping, try these tips before cranking up the heat

It's the change of the season and Pittsburghers are starting to see some chilly temperatures settling in. With overnight temperatures dipping into the 40s, some have already resorted to turning on the furnace.

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"Actually, we have, believe it or not, yes I have. That's ridiculous, it's only September,” said resident Julia Macellino.

"She's freezing and I'm constantly hot, so it ends up being a battle every year. Actually, we've been sleeping with the windows open and letting the nice fall air into the house,” said Dave Diehl.

It's hard to believe it's already that time of year, but there are some things residents should do before cranking up the heat.

"You want to make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors, and if you do have them, you want to change the batteries or hit the test button to make sure it's working before you turn anything on, because that's a huge safety issue,” said Tudi Home Services residential manager Rich Riva.

It's important to get furnaces checked at least once a year because dust and even stink bugs can settle inside.

"Get your maintenance done before you turn it on. That's a good thing -- also, because what we are going to do is we are going to check some safeties. There are gas valve safeties, there are pressure switches, maybe the stink bugs got into the intake and not allowing it to run. The big thing is there are limits in here. That's everything that's going to keep you safe while we are creating a fire in your home," said Riva.

For more information on Tudi's charity event, Heat for the Needy, visit heatfortheneedy.com.

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