The HVAC Maintenance Checklist for Fall

Once the leaves begin to fall and the cooler weather sets in, it’s an ideal opportunity to tune-up your HVAC system to handle the coming winter. Regularly scheduled fall HVAC maintenance reduces the risk of problems showing up and helps make sure your home is always safe and warm. Here are 10 easy ways to keep your furnace in top shape this fall.

1. Schedule HVAC Maintenance with an Expert

There’s not much that is more important to ensure furnace efficiency than routine maintenance. While you may be able to handle some simpler fall HVAC maintenance tasks on your own, only a professional can perform comprehensive service, cleaning and other tune-up tasks. Industry experts recommend professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance at the start of fall.

Annual HVAC maintenance means more cost-efficient heating bills and ensures peak system efficiency. The ability to look out for minor problems before they cause trouble also helps prevent a costly, last-minute fix.

General Heating Safety

1. Maintain Clear Space Around Your Furnace

Your furnace requires ample room around where it’s installed to avoid the risk of problems. Refrain from keeping any storage closer than 10 to 15 feet of the unit. If your utility closet or basement is on the smaller side, keep it empty apart from the HVAC equipment. Keep items like paint, cleaning supplies and aerosol sprays separate from the furnace.

2. Take Other Steps to Prevent Heating-Related Fires

Heating equipment is a major source of home fires. Follow these recommendations to keep your family safe:

1. When your furnace makes odd sounds or has unusual smells, shut it off and call an HVAC professional.
2. Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heat sources, particularly space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and other gas appliances.
3. Never leave a running space heater unattended.
4. Similarly, don’t plug space heaters into extension cords.

3. Ensure Smoke, Carbon Monoxide Alarms Work

These vital safety devices warn you of hazards like a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Check them once a month to ensure they’re working correctly, and replace the batteries annually. Only take out the batteries if you’re intending to switch them out right away.

Confirm That the Air Vents Are Clean and Well-Sealed

1. Examine Your Furnace’s Flue

An obstructed flue pipe can result in harmful backdrafting, raising the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Before turning on the heat this fall, inspect the exhaust outside to ensure it’s clear of obstructions. If the flue is clogged, call a professional for help.

2. Check Your Air Ducts for Dust, Debris

Every now and then, set aside some time to take a look at all the air vents around the house. When you see lots of dirt and dust buildup, vacuum them with the brush nozzle to clear it off. Ensure that no return or supply vents are covered up by furniture, rugs or curtains to keep air flowing evenly.

Closing vents when you leave the room may seem smart to lower HVAC bills, but it can also create issues with airflow, increasing the strain on your system and inadvertently leading to HIGHER energy bills. Make sure 80% or more of the vent registers are open to maintain efficient airflow.

3. Seal Any Leaks in the Ductwork

Inefficient air ducts let heating and cooling escape, contributing to higher energy costs. Regardless of its name, duct tape is not the best solution for sealing leaks in the air ducts. For effective sealing, call an Expert to properly patch the leaks in your ductwork. The experience of a professional will reduce heating costs, enhance your sense of comfort and even increase air quality.

Wrap up DIY Items on Your Maintenance Checklist

1. Replace the Air Filter Regularly

All your basic HVAC air filters trap dust, allergens, hair and other large particles, protecting your HVAC system. The clean, more efficient filters better preserve indoor air quality by trapping microscopic pollutants. As time passes, the air filter fills with debris, which restricts airflow and may overwork your furnace. To avoid this, swap out the filter every one to three months.

2. Adjust Your Thermostat for Winter

With winter approaching, it’s time to adjust your thermostat from AC to heat. Adjusting your thermostat settings for each season limits energy waste and helps make your home comfortable. Here are several tips:

• Refrain from overriding programmed settings. Instead, layer up with a sweater or blanket if you get cold.
• If you decide you still need to adjust the temperature, change it gradually. Going right to 80 degrees won’t warm your home any faster.
• Set your thermostat to 70 degrees or below at home.
• Further lower the temperature to around 62 degrees when you’re away or sleeping. A new smart thermostat can handle this and even create optimized settings for you.

3. Consider Replacing the Old HVAC System

If your furnace passes the 10-year mark, it is likely 60% as efficient and close to needing replacement. Instead of letting it reach total system failure, think about upgrading it. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of AFUE ratings as high as 97%, providing improved energy efficiency and total comfort for the winter months ahead.

Avoid a Heating Headache and Get in Touch with Hays Cooling, Heating & Plumbing today

If you need help completing the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Hays Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is here to help. We offer fast, affordable solutions for all your HVAC service needs. To set up a maintenance call, please contact us today.