With the first signs of fall weather beginning to appear, now is the perfect time to prepare your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for the coming colder months. Making sure your system is in good working order has multiple benefits, including keeping your house warm and cozy, reducing energy costs, and avoiding malfunctions that can potentially cost a lot of money to fix. Homeowners can do a handful of essential things to get their heating systems and homes ready for fall and keep them running efficiently.
Inspecting and Cleaning Your Furnace
Your fall HVAC preparation should start with inspecting and cleaning your furnace. During the summer, the accumulation of dust and dirt in and around the furnace can reduce its efficiency and performance. This should only be done if you have experience. Most of the time, we recommend having our trained technicians perform these tasks.
Before you do anything else, disconnect the electricity from the furnace. Then, look for corrosion, dirt, or damage on the burners, heat exchanger, and blower head. Cleaning these parts can increase airflow and prevent overheating. Ensuring your furnace’s pilot light or ignition mechanism is in good working order is another way to ensure it will turn on when needed. Call an HVAC expert if you see any problems or aren’t confident in your ability to do these jobs on your own.
Changing the HVAC Filters
Changing the filters is an easy but essential part of fall maintenance for your HVAC system. As dust, pollen, and other particles accumulate in filters over time, they can reduce system performance and make it work harder than it needs to. Indoor air quality is particularly important when more people keep their windows closed in the fall. Make sure to get new filters made specifically for your system by checking that they are the right size and type. A higher frequency of filter changes may be necessary if you reside in a dusty environment or have pets.
Checking the Thermostat Settings
Check that the temperature on your thermostat is suitable for fall and that it transitions between heating and cooling modes without any hiccups. Set your programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature when you’re away or asleep to conserve energy. Consider getting a newer, more energy-efficient thermostat if you’re still using a non-programmable type or one that’s 10 or more years old.
Sealing Windows and Doors
If cold air seeps in through cracks and gaps around doors and windows, your heating system will work harder to keep your home at a suitable temperature. When you check the weather stripping around your windows and doors, replace it if it shows signs of wear and tear. Caulk is another option for filling in minor gaps or holes. You might also want to consider putting draft stoppers at the bottom of your doors to keep the chilly air out.
Clearing Debris Around Outdoor Units
The accumulation of leaves, grass clippings, and other material surrounding the HVAC’s outdoor unit throughout the summer can obstruct airflow and cause damage. Take the time to remove any clutter from the area surrounding the outdoor unit before the cold winter arrives. Cut back any overgrown vegetation that might be blocking the passage of air. If dust or grime has settled on the coils, hosing down the unit will remove it.
Testing Carbon Monoxide Detectors
The lethal gas known as carbon monoxide has no discernible smell and no color. This is why it’s critical to check the functionality of your carbon monoxide detectors as part of the fall preparations for your HVAC system. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations while testing each unit and replace the batteries as needed. If your house does not already have carbon monoxide detectors, immediately install them in any room with fuel-burning appliances or where people sleep.
Balancing Airflow and Ventilation
Be sure that all of your registers and vents are open and free of obstructions when you start getting the HVAC ready for fall. If you notice that certain areas in your home are consistently warmer or colder than others, modifying the dampers in your ductwork to get a more balanced airflow could be necessary. Because mold and mildew thrive in damp environments, adequate ventilation is particularly critical in damp rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. The air quality and comfort in your home will be much better during the fall if you make sure the ventilation and airflow stay at optimal levels.
Adjusting Humidity Levels
Humidity levels in your house can fluctuate with the changing seasons, impacting how well your heater works and how comfortable you are inside. When the humidity is too high, your home can feel clammy in the winter, and condensation will be a problem. You may want to consider utilizing a dehumidifier, based on your household’s requirements, to maintain ideal humidity levels. Many of today’s newer HVAC systems come with humidity controls to help homeowners create a pleasant indoor climate. Further, we can install hole home dehumidifiers and air purification systems to keep the air clean and comfortable.
Inspecting Ductwork for Leaks
Inspect the ductwork for obvious leaks like holes, gaps, or weak connections as part of your fall preparations. Another way to find leaks is to listen for whistling sounds and to feel for drafts around the ducts. An expert HVAC technician can conduct a duct leakage test to identify the source of a leak if you suspect one but have not been able to locate it. Repairing holes in your ducting can increase comfort and reduce energy waste by ensuring the heater can distribute warm air evenly throughout your house.
Planning for Emergency Heating Situations
Even if you take every precaution to get your HVAC system ready for fall, problems with the heater can still occur. Having a space heater or a fireplace as a backup heating source is a good safety measure to have if your furnace breaks down. In case of a power failure, ensure you have plenty of warm clothing, blankets, and other necessities. Remember to always have the number of a trustworthy HVAC professional on hand so you can easily schedule repairs in an emergency.
Scheduling a Professional HVAC Maintenance Visit
While there are many things you can do on your own to get your HVAC system ready for fall, hiring a professional once a year is still a smart decision. An expert technician can check your furnace and other parts for problems before they escalate by conducting a comprehensive examination. As part of the heating system tune-up, our technicians will lubricate and clean any moving parts, verify all electrical connections, and examine the system’s efficiency. Having a professional evaluate your HVAC system regularly will help it last longer and save money on repairs.
Cool Power LLC is here to make sure your HVAC system is ready for fall. We offer a variety of services, including boiler installations, heat pump repairs, AC installations, indoor air quality testing, and more. Call us now to schedule heater maintenance in Ronkonkoma, NY, or anywhere in Nassau or Suffolk counties.
