Summer is coming to an end, and that means a change in the weather. Having an HVAC tune-up before fall is critical to keeping the system functioning smoothly and prepping it for peak performance, ensuring that you and your family remain comfortable throughout the season. In this article, we’ll go over the importance of fall HVAC maintenance and how to go about it.
Why Fall HVAC Maintenance Matters
Prepare for Winter
When winter arrives, you want your heating system to be ready as the chilly temperatures hit, especially in Pittsburgh. Extreme temperatures, whether too hot or too cold, will require HVAC to work at peak efficiency to maintain the desired temperature. Fall HVAC maintenance ensures that all of your system’s components are examined for proper operation throughout the cold months.
Prevent Costly Repairs
An HVAC tune-up is expensive, but a damaged system and repairs are far more costly. Fall HVAC maintenance provides a complete inspection that can discover minor problems early. This is critical since ignoring minor issues can progress to more serious and complex HVAC concerns. As a result of regular maintenance, you help extend the life of the system and save time and money from regular repairs or even early replacement.
Improve Efficiency & Lower Bills
A dirty or faulty HVAC can cause the system to work harder, requiring more energy to operate. This will result in an increase in your bills. With a clean and tuned-out system, you ensure that it functions smoothly without wasting energy, resulting in increased efficiency and cheaper bills! If you notice that your energy expenditures are growing, your HVAC system could be to blame.
Ensure Indoor Air Quality
Aside from maintaining a comfortable temperature within the home, providing optimal indoor air quality is critical for the general comfort and health of the occupants. Poor air quality can cause many health problems, such as respiratory issues and allergies.
A well-maintained HVAC system, such as one with a clean air filter and vents, is essential for keeping the air clean and safe.
Your Complete Fall HVAC Maintenance Checklist
#1: Schedule A Professional HVAC Tune-Up
HVAC technicians have the proper training, skills, and equipment. Therefore, HVAC tune-up should always be done by a professional. Technicians know how to spot any issues and troubleshoot them accordingly, ensuring the system is always in top condition.
Schedule your system maintenance with a licensed HVAC professional before the heating season begins.
#2: Change Your Air Filters
With regular use, air filters gradually collect dust and debris. When this buildup occurs, the filter can become clogged, limiting airflow. Consequently, you may not feel the expected warmth or coolness from your system. Change your air filter every one to three months, based on how often it’s used.
#3: Clean Vents & Registers
Similar to an air filter, the vents and registers will accumulate debris, reducing their efficiency in delivering heat or cool air due to reduced airflow. You want to clean the vents and register once every few months. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove dust and debris, and wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth to clean.
#4: Test Your Thermostat
The thermostats, which control the operation of your HVAC, might sometimes be the source of the system’s inefficiency. Set your thermostat to a specified temperature and see if it delivers what you expect. If the system doesn’t function properly, check the batteries first before ruling out the thermostat. If this is still the case, you can be confident that the thermostat isn’t faulty.
#5: Inspect Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are especially important for the safety of your house during the chilly winter months when heating is essential. You want to ensure that all of your home’s safety features are working correctly. To ensure that the detectors are operating, press the button and listen for a sound. And, just in case, replace the detector batteries once a year, and replace them if they are more than ten years old.
#6: Clear The Outdoor Unit (If you have a heat pump)
If you have a heat pump, ensure that the outdoor unit is free of leaves, grass, and debris, which can restrict airflow, reduce performance, and strain the system. Clear any debris or vegetation from the area surrounding the outside unit and use a soft brush or hose to clean the fins. Avoid using a high-pressure hose since it may damage the equipment.
#7: Review Your Home’s Insulation
The correct insulation plays a huge role in making your home pleasant. Insulation helps limit heat loss or gain, vital during both warm and cold weather. Over time, insulation can settle, become damaged, or degrade, especially in attics, walls, or crawlspaces. Inspect insulation for gaps, moisture damage, or insect activity, and ensure it meets the comfort standard for your climate.
When To Call The Pros
The warm season comes to an end in the fall, and the chilly months begin gradually. This is why Fall HVAC maintenance is a critical phase that should not be overlooked. Regular checkups, like those for other systems, are required to guarantee that it continues to perform optimally and avoids breakdowns and costly repairs, especially in the middle of frigid weather, when warmth is most needed.
While basic maintenance tasks, such as cleaning the air filters and outside unit or replacing thermostat and detector batteries, can be completed by the homeowner, more difficult tasks should be performed by a professional. This is because attempting to repair anything yourself can create more harm than good. Work like sealing ductwork and changing any components is not only risky without the proper equipment, but it also requires knowledge and expertise. After all, you want your HVAC maintenance to be completed accurately and on schedule—Contact Johnson’s Heating for all of your HVAC needs. We have a team ready to help you keep your home’s heating system in top condition and ready for the upcoming winter.
Recent Comments