Your Fall 2024 HVAC Maintenance Checklist

As the autumn leaves start to drop and the cooler weather sets in, it’s the perfect time to prepare 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 simple steps to ensure your furnace is working well this fall.

1. Change the Air Filter Every So Often

Typical HVAC air filters help filter out dust, allergens, hair and other large particles, shielding your HVAC system. New filters better protect indoor air quality by trapping microscopic pollutants. As time passes, the air filter becomes clogged, which hinders airflow and forces your furnace to work harder. To prevent 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 cooling to heating mode. Making thermostat adjustments for energy efficiency keeps costs in check and ensures a cozy home. Here are a few tips:

• Adjust the temperature to 70°F or cooler at home.
• Further lower the temperature to around 62 degrees when you’re away or overnight. A programmable thermostat can automate these changes for you.
• Try your best to keep from overriding programmed settings. Instead, add an extra layer if you get cold.
• Should you still need to adjust the temperature, change it gradually. Raising the heat to 80 degrees won’t warm your home any faster.

3. Clean and Inspect the Air Vents

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, grab your vacuum’s brush attachment to clean everything away. Double-check that no return or supply vents are covered up by furniture, rugs or curtains to maintain proper circulation.

Closing vents in unused rooms may seem smart to save money, but it can also create issues with airflow, increasing the strain on your system and—ironically—driving utility costs UP. Make sure 80% or more of the vent registers are open to keep airflow well-balanced.

4. Check Air Ducts and Seal up Any Leaks

Inefficient air ducts waste energy, contributing to higher energy bills. Regardless of its name, duct tape is a poor solution for sealing up air ducts. For the best results, call an Expert to properly patch the leaks in your ventilation. The investment will lower your heating expenses, enhance your sense of comfort and even enhance your home’s air quality.

5. Take Other Steps to Prevent Heating-Related Fires

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

• Store flammable materials far from heating equipment, particularly space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and water heaters.
• Don’t leave space heaters or other portable systems running if you’re not there.
• In the same vein, never use an extension cord with space heaters.
• When your furnace makes odd sounds or has unusual smells, shut it off and contact a heating Expert.

6. Examine the Furnace Flue

An obstructed flue pipe can result in harmful backdrafting, raising the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Before turning on the heat this fall, inspect the exhaust outside to ensure it’s clear of obstructions. If the flue is blocked, contact an HVAC technician for help.

7. Keep the Utility Room Clear

Your furnace requires sufficient empty space surrounding it to avoid the risk of problems. Don’t store any belongings closer than 10 to 15 feet of the unit. If your utility closet or basement is not large enough, try and leave it uncluttered 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 vital safety devices warn you of dangers 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 remove the batteries if you’re planning to replace them immediately.

9. Keep up with Professional HVAC Maintenance

While it’s possible to handle some simpler fall HVAC maintenance tasks on your own, a certified technician can complete full inspections, clean key components and other necessary tasks. Industry experts suggest professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance every fall.

Preventive HVAC maintenance keeps energy costs in check and ensures smooth day-to-day operation. The opportunity to catch small issues before they become major problems also helps prevent an emergency service call.

10. Consider Replacing Your HVAC System

If your furnace is more than 10 years old, it is likely 60% as efficient and nearing the end of its life span. Instead of letting it reach total system failure, think about upgrading it. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of 97% AFUE efficiency, providing improved energy efficiency and peace of mind for years to come.

Get Your HVAC Prepped for Fall and Get in Touch with 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 is ready to serve you. 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.