As November approaches, everyone can feel that fall is in the air. Cold winds, changing hues, and falling leaves remind you that your air conditioner needs some rest. However, not turning your air conditioner on doesn’t mean you should forget about it. Think about preparing your HVAC system for fall maintenance.
Use this handy fall HVAC checklist to inspect your cooling and heating systems. Remember, certain things you can do yourself, while for others, you need a technician to keep your unit working efficiently.
Schedule a Tune-Up
Fall is the best time to schedule your annual maintenance for your unit right before using it for the season. You should not skip inspection regardless of your system having a boiler, furnace, or heating pump. It will ensure the prevention or early detection of any problem in the unit and your unit working efficiently throughout the season.
Cleaning the Valves
In some areas, there are hot summers and mild winters. It means one is probably not using the HVAC unit now, allowing the vents to accumulate much dust. Before it gets difficult to turn on the AC, one should do a quick checkup on the ducts and vacuum off any accumulated dust before turning it on.
Invest In a Smart Thermostat
When the weather is hot and electric bills are reaching the skies. Investing in a smart thermostat can give peace of mind when it comes to staying cool and saving money. As one can program the thermostat to maximize performance and ensure that the HVAC unit is working efficiently.
Replace Air Filters
If one has just moved into a new home, change the air filter to achieve maximum airflow. The house was most likely empty for a few months before one has purchased it, and even though the air conditioner probably was not running all that often, it is still a good idea to start with a new and clean air filter.
Clean the Debris Off the Condenser
The condenser is usually in the side yard of the house. Hence people easily neglect it. Over time, shrubs and debris can grow or build up around the HVAC unit, limiting its airflow, making it harder to work to cool the home effectively.
Clean the Ductwork
If the house seems dusty, or one notices the HVAC unit making prominent noises as if it is working with more difficulty than it should, then check the ducts. Chances are there that ducts are just dirty, but on the other hand, there may be air leaks in the ducts. One should need to make sure to call an HVAC technician to repair or replace the ducts.
Things You Can Do Yourself
- Change your filters every three months at the most; in the case when you are allergic, consider changing these every month.
- Clean your vents using the vacuum to keep them dust-free to improve indoor air quality.
Technical Part of the Job
Certain things regarding your air-conditioner maintenance are out of your reach. So, you need to consult your HVAC technician for your unit to work efficiently. He can cover his part of the fall HVAC checklist in a better way, including:
- Clearing of drain lines and pipes to avoid any water stasis in your system all winter.
- Cleaning of the coil from dust and dirt.
- Checking the refrigerant charge, belts, and pulleys.
- Inspect ducts for any leaks and make sure all sections are properly connected without gaps between connections.
- If it’s been a while since you had your unit thorough inspection and service, consider a full-service duct cleaning. It will make your unit work efficiently.
Benefits of Preventive Maintenance
1. Keep efficiency high and utility bills low
If your home is anywhere near average, heating and cooling account for almost half of your energy expense every year. However, scheduling preventive maintenance ensures your unit works efficiently throughout the year hence lowering your utility bills.
2. Your unit stay one step ahead of repairs
Although systems are not designed to last forever, preventive maintenance adds years to the lifespan of each component. To avoid serious repairs and major breakdowns, schedule your system inspection before turning it on for the season. In this way, you will stay one step ahead of repairs.
3. Ensures safety all year long
Running your system without seasonal maintenance can be more than costly. It could not only be dangerous but, at times, life-threatening. That’s why a preventive maintenance checklist includes checking for leaks, a carbon monoxide detector, and other potential safety issues.
Have you booked your fall preventive maintenance appointment yet? If not, call us to reach HVAC experts today.
Contact the professionals at Peppers Heating and Air today!
