Your Fall 2024 HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Once the fall season arrives and the temperature drops, it’s an ideal opportunity to tune-up your HVAC system for the colder months. Regularly scheduled fall HVAC maintenance helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and keeps your home safe and warm. Here are 10 easy ways to ensure your furnace is in top shape this year.

1. Swap Out Your HVAC Air Filter on a Regular Basis

Typical HVAC air filters capture dust, allergens, hair and other common forms of airborne debris, forming a layer of protection for your furnace and AC systems. High-efficiency filters better preserve indoor air quality by preventing the circulation of microscopic pollutants. Eventually, the air filter becomes clogged, which hinders airflow and can place added strain on your system. To avoid this, change the filter every one to three months.

2. Adjust Your Thermostat for Winter

With the temperatures dropping soon, it’s time to adjust your thermostat from cooling to heating mode. Making thermostat adjustments for energy efficiency lowers your monthly bill and maintains a complete sense of comfort. Here are a few tips:

  • Set your thermostat to 70 degrees or cooler for as long as you’re in the house.
  • Set the thermostat even lower to around 62 degrees whenever you’re not home or overnight. A smart thermostat can handle this and even create optimized settings for you.
  • Try your best to keep from overriding pre-set temperatures. Instead, add an extra layer if you feel chilly.
  • If you decide you still need to adjust the temperature, increase it slowly. Raising the heat to 80 degrees isn’t the shortcut some people hope it is.

3. Check Your Air Ducts for Dust, Debris

Every now and then, set aside a few minutes to take a look at all the air vents around the house. When you see lots of dirt and dust buildup, use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clear it off. Double-check that no return or supply vents are covered up by furniture, rugs or curtains to maintain proper circulation.

Shutting off vents in rooms you don’t use may seem smart to save money, but it can also disrupt airflow, increasing the strain on your system and—ironically—RAISING your energy costs. Keep at least 80% of your registers open to keep airflow well-balanced.

4. Fix Leaky Air Ducts

Leaky air ducts let heating and cooling escape, contributing to higher energy bills. Surprisingly, duct tape is not ideal for sealing up air ducts. For the best results, call an Expert to properly seal your ductwork. The experience of a professional will reduce heating costs, enhance your sense of comfort and even boost indoor air quality.

5. Take Other Steps to Prevent Heating-Related Fires

The gas furnace is a major source of home fires. Remember these recommendations to minimize the risk as much as possible:

  • Make sure flammable items maintain at least a three-foot distance from heat sources, including space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and water heaters.
  • Don’t leave space heaters running without supervision.
  • In the same vein, never use an extension cord with space heaters.
  • When your furnace makes odd sounds or has unusual smells, shut it down and call an HVAC professional.

6. Inspect Your Furnace’s Flue

An obstructed flue pipe can lead to a higher risk of backdrafting, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Before turning on the heat this fall, check the flue vent outside to ensure it’s unobstructed. If the flue is being obstructed by debris, reach out to an HVAC Expert for help.

7. Clear Your Furnace Room

Your furnace needs 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 basement or utility closet is on the smaller side, keep it empty apart from the HVAC equipment. Store flammable items like paint, cleaning supplies and aerosol sprays separate from the furnace.

8. Check Your Smoke Alarms and CO Detectors

These crucial safety devices warn you of emergencies like a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Conduct monthly tests to verify they’re all working, and replace the batteries annually. Only remove the batteries if you’re planning to replace them immediately.

9. Schedule Professional HVAC Maintenance

While it’s possible to handle a few fall HVAC maintenance tasks yourself, an experienced maintenance technician can provide a thorough inspection, with cleaning and other necessary tasks. Industry experts suggest professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance every fall.

Routine HVAC maintenance helps limit energy waste and ensures smooth day-to-day operation. The ability to catch small issues before they cause trouble also minimizes the chances you’d need emergency repairs.

10. Think About Replacing Your Furnace

Once your heating has been in use for more than a decade, it may only be 60% as efficient and approaching the end of its service life. Rather than allowing total system failure, start planning for a new system. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of AFUE ratings as high as 97%, providing immediate energy savings and total comfort for years to come.

Get Your HVAC Prepped for Fall and Contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today

If you want to check off all the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to serve you. We offer fast, affordable solutions for all your HVAC service concerns. To set up a maintenance call, please contact us today.

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