This time of year, your home heating system may be going through the occasional warm-up lap or it could be in full-blown workout mode already.

Maybe your system is fit for winter duty. But if you have doubts, here’s advice from top-rated HVAC pros:

To assess your current system, ask your HVAC contractor to provide a written efficiency analysis and summary of any recommended repairs. Your contractor can do this during an annual tuneup.

Heating systems are not one-size-fits-all. Be wary of a contractor who offers a quote without examining your home. Ideally, a technician should perform what’s called a “Manual J calculation,” which includes square footage, window efficiency and other factors to determine the right size heating system. An incorrectly sized system will cost you money and comfort.

Buy the most efficient furnace you can afford. Efficiency — a measure of how much energy put into the furnace is converted into heating power — is described in terms of AFUE. The federal government requires that most types of furnaces reach a minimum 80 percent AFUE, though some models can achieve as much as 97 percent AFUE.

Natural gas is considered the most economical way to heat a home when temperatures are below freezing.

Oil or propane can be a good option where gas lines aren’t available. However, oil or propane furnaces require more storage room, run “dirtier” than natural gas and can be more expensive to operate.

Electricity can be an expensive way to fuel a furnace. Often, a heat pump is a more economical option for an all-electric house.

The cost of a new heating system can vary widely, depending on equipment type, your home’s layout, desired features, local labor costs and any necessary changes to existing system components.

A general price range would be $4,000 to $8,500 for a heating and air conditioning system with basic installation and features. Additional features will add to the cost and might include air purifying systems, new insulated ductwork, humidifiers, programmable thermostats and more.