The HVAC Maintenance Checklist for Fall

As the leaves begin to fall and the temperature drops, it provides a good chance to prepare your HVAC system for the winter months ahead. Routine fall HVAC maintenance reduces the risk of problems showing up and keeps your home ready for the cold. Here are 10 simple steps to ensure your furnace is in top shape this year.

1. Keep up with Professional HVAC Inspections

Few things are more important to ensure furnace efficiency than preventive maintenance. While it’s possible to take care of some simpler fall HVAC maintenance tasks by yourself, an experienced maintenance technician can provide a thorough inspection, with cleaning and other tune-up tasks. Industry experts recommend professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance before winter.

Preventive HVAC maintenance means more cost-efficient heating bills and keeps your system running smoothly. The opportunity to identify potential concerns before they cause trouble also minimizes the chances you’d need a costly, last-minute fix.

General Heating Safety

1. Keep the Utility Room Clear

Your furnace needs sufficient empty space surrounding it to run safely. Don’t store any belongings closer than 10 to 15 feet of the unit. If your basement or utility closet is too small, do your best to ensure the area is clear apart from the HVAC equipment. Place flammable materials like paint, cleaning supplies and aerosol sprays separate from your furnace.

2. Continue to Ensure Your Home Is Safe from Heating-Related Fires

Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires. Stick to these tips to keep your family safe:

1. If you notice strange noises or smells, shut it off and call an HVAC professional.
2. Store flammable materials far from heat sources, including space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and water heaters.
3. Don’t leave space heaters running without supervision.
4. Similarly, never use an extension cord with space heaters.

3. Ensure Smoke, Carbon Monoxide Alarms Work

These important safety devices warn you of hazards like a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Check them once a month to make sure they work okay, and change the batteries once a year. Only remove the batteries if you’re planning to replace them immediately.

Check That the Air Vents Are Well-Sealed and Free of Debris

1. Check Your Furnace’s Flue

A clog in the flue pipe can cause dangerous backdrafting, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Before you start your furnace this fall, examine the flue outside to ensure it’s clear of obstructions. If the flue is being obstructed by debris, call a professional for help.

2. Keep Ventilation Clean and Free of Debris

Every now and then, set aside a few minutes to check all the air duct registers in your home. For any registers covered in dust, vacuum them with the brush nozzle to clear it off. Make sure that no return or supply vents are blocked by furniture, rugs or curtains to keep air flowing evenly.

Closing vents in unused rooms may seem smart to reduce costs, but it can also create issues with airflow, putting more stress on your system and counterproductively RAISING your energy costs. Leave at least 80% of vents open to maintain efficient airflow.

3. Check Air Ducts and Seal up Any Leaks

Leaking air ducts waste energy, contributing to higher energy costs. Surprisingly, duct tape is a poor solution for sealing leaks in the air ducts. For effective sealing, hire an HVAC professional to properly seal your ductwork. The investment will reduce heating costs, make your home more comfortable and even increase air quality.

Wrap up DIY Tasks on the Fall Furnace Checklist

1. Replace the Air Filter on a Regular Basis

Typical HVAC air filters help filter out dust, allergens, hair and other large particles, protecting your furnace and AC systems. The clean, more efficient filters better preserve indoor air quality by preventing the circulation of microscopic pollutants. Over time, the air filter will clog up, which restricts airflow and forces your furnace to work harder. To avoid this, swap out the filter regularly throughout the year.

2. Set Your Thermostat for Heating Energy Efficiency

With the temperatures dropping soon, it’s time to adjust your thermostat from cooling to heating mode. Properly setting your thermostat lowers your monthly bill 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 feel chilly.
• When it IS necessary to change the temperature, change it gradually. Raising the heat to 80 degrees won’t warm your home any faster.
• Keep the temperature at 70 degrees or less when you’re at home.
• Drop the temperature a few more degrees to around 62 degrees if you’re out or overnight. A smart thermostat can automate these changes for you.

3. Think About Upgrading Your Furnace

Once your heating passes the 10-year mark, it is likely 60% as efficient and close to needing replacement. Rather than waiting for total system failure, think about upgrading it. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of AFUE ratings as high as 97%, providing energy savings right away and peace of mind for years to come.

Prevent a Heating Headache and Get in Touch with Geisel Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Inc. today

If you need help completing the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Geisel Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Inc. is here to help. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, yet lasting results for all your HVAC service concerns. To set up a maintenance call, please contact us today.