2024 Autumn HVAC Maintenance Guide

Once the leaves begin to fall and the weather cools, it’s an ideal opportunity to tune-up your HVAC system to handle the coming winter. Regularly scheduled fall HVAC maintenance helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and keeps your home ready for the cold. Here are 10 simple steps to ensure your furnace is in top shape this season.

1. Replace the Air Filter Every So Often

Typical HVAC air filters capture dust, allergens, hair and other common forms of airborne debris, protecting your furnace and AC systems. The clean, more efficient filters better protect indoor air quality by trapping microscopic pollutants. Eventually, the air filter will clog up, which limits air circulation and forces your furnace to work harder. To help put a stop to this, swap out the filter regularly throughout the year.

2. Optimize Your Thermostat Settings

With winter approaching, it’s time to adjust your thermostat from the AC to the furnace or heater. Adjusting your thermostat settings for each season keeps costs in check and helps make your home comfortable. Here are a few tips:

• Keep the temperature at 70 degrees or below for as long as you’re in the house.
• Set the thermostat even lower to around 62 degrees if you’re out or when you’re asleep. A smart thermostat can automate these changes for you.
• Avoid overriding pre-set temperatures. Instead, layer up with a sweater or blanket if you are still too cold.
• Should you still need to adjust the temperature, do so one degree at a time. Setting it as high as possible isn’t the shortcut some people hope it is.

3. Clean and Inspect the Air Vents

Every now and then, set aside some time to take a look at all the air duct registers in your home. If these registers are clogged with dust, vacuum them with the brush nozzle to clean everything away. Ensure that no return or supply vents are blocked by furniture, rugs or curtains to keep air flowing evenly.

Shutting off vents in rooms you don’t use might seem like a good idea to reduce costs, but it can also cause uneven air distribution, increasing the strain on your system and—counterproductively—RAISING your energy costs. Keep at least 80% of your registers open to maintain efficient airflow.

4. Seal Any Leaks in the Ductwork

Leaky air ducts let heating and cooling escape, resulting in higher energy costs. Despite the name, duct tape is not ideal for sealing up air ducts. For the best results, call an Expert to properly patch the leaks in your ductwork. The investment will reduce heating costs, enhance your sense of comfort and even enhance your home’s air quality.

5. Ensure Your Home Is Safe from Heating-Related Fires

A problem with your heating system is a primary risk factor for home fires. Follow these recommendations to keep your family safe:

• Make sure flammable items maintain at least a three-foot distance from heat sources, particularly space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and other gas appliances.
• Don’t leave space heaters running without supervision.
• Similarly, never use an extension cord with space heaters.
• Should you notice weird noises or smells from your furnace, shut it down and contact a heating Expert.

6. Inspect Your Furnace’s Flue

A blocked flue pipe can lead to a higher risk of backdrafting, raising the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Before turning on the heat this fall, examine the flue outside to ensure it’s unobstructed. If the flue is clogged, reach out to an HVAC Expert for help.

7. Clear Your Furnace Room

Your furnace needs sufficient empty space surrounding it to run safely. Refrain from keeping any storage within 10 to 15 feet of the unit. If your utility closet is on the smaller side, try and leave it uncluttered apart from the HVAC equipment. Keep items like paint, cleaning supplies and aerosol sprays far from your furnace.

8. Ensure Smoke, Carbon Monoxide Alarms Work

These crucial safety devices alert your family of emergencies like a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Check them once a month to verify they’re all working, and change the batteries once a year. Only take them out if you’re planning to replace them immediately.

9. Arrange Professional HVAC Maintenance

While you may be able to handle some simpler fall HVAC maintenance tasks by yourself, only a professional can complete full inspections, with cleaning and other tune-up tasks. Industry experts encourage homeowners to schedule professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance before winter.

Regularly scheduled HVAC maintenance keeps energy costs in check and ensures smooth day-to-day operation. The time a technician has during an inspection to look out for minor problems before they cause trouble also helps prevent an emergency service call.

10. Consider Upgrading Your HVAC System

If your furnace passes the 10-year mark, it could be as low as 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 years to come.

Make Sure Your Furnace Is Ready for Fall and Contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today

If you want to check off all the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing gets the job done right. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, yet lasting results for all your HVAC service needs. To book your furnace tune-up, please contact us today.