Complete HVAC Service Checklist for Fall 2024

Once the leaves begin to fall and the cooler weather sets in, it provides a good chance to prepare your HVAC system for the colder months. Regularly scheduled fall HVAC maintenance prevents premature system failure and ensures your home stays ready for the cold. Here are a few quick tips to ensure your furnace is running its best this season.

1. Replace the Air Filter on a Regular Basis

All your basic HVAC air filters help filter out dust, allergens, hair and other common forms of airborne debris, protecting your HVAC system. High-efficiency filters better protect indoor air quality by trapping microscopic pollutants. Eventually, the air filter becomes clogged, which restricts airflow and may overwork your furnace. To help put a stop to this, change the filter regularly throughout the year.

2. Optimize Your Thermostat Settings

With the weather cooling off soon, it’s time to adjust your thermostat from cooling to heating mode. Making thermostat adjustments for energy efficiency lowers your monthly bill and ensures a cozy home. Here are several tips:

• Keep the temperature at 70 degrees or cooler for as long as you’re in the house.
• Set the thermostat even lower to around 62 degrees when you’re away or overnight. A programmable thermostat can handle this and even create optimized settings for you.
• Refrain from overriding programmed settings. Instead, layer up with a sweater or blanket if you get cold.
• When it IS necessary to change the temperature, do so one degree at a time. Setting it as high as possible won’t warm your home any faster.

3. Keep Ventilation Clean and Free of Debris

Every now and then, set aside some time to check all the air vents around the house. When you see lots of dirt and dust buildup, use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clear it off. Make sure that no return or supply vents are covered up by furniture, rugs or curtains to keep air flowing evenly.

Closing vents in unused rooms may seem smart to lower HVAC bills, but it can also disrupt airflow, putting more stress on your system and—inadvertently—leading to HIGHER energy bills. Make sure 80% or more of the vent registers are open to ensure the system performs consistently.

4. Fix Leaky Air Ducts

Leaky air ducts are a common source of heat loss, contributing to higher energy bills. Regardless of its name, duct tape is not ideal for sealing up air ducts. For a lasting seal, hire an HVAC professional to properly patch the leaks in your air vents. The investment will lower your heating expenses, make your home more comfortable and even boost indoor air quality.

5. Take Other Steps to Prevent Heating-Related Fires

Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires. Follow these recommendations to minimize the risk as much as possible:

• Make sure flammable items maintain at least a three-foot distance from heating equipment, including space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and water heaters.
• Don’t leave space heaters running without supervision.
• Similarly, never use an extension cord with space heaters.
• When your furnace makes odd sounds or has unusual smells, turn it off and call an HVAC professional.

6. Examine the Furnace Flue

An obstructed flue pipe can lead to a higher risk of backdrafting, raising the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Before running your furnace this fall, check the flue vent outside to ensure it’s unobstructed. If the flue is obstructed, call a professional for help.

7. Clear Your Furnace Room

Your furnace needs 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 on the smaller side, 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. Test Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

These vital safety devices notify the household of hazards like a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Test them on a monthly basis to verify they’re all working, and change the batteries once a year. Only take out the batteries if you’re ready to put new ones in.

9. Stay on Top of HVAC Maintenance with an Expert

While you may be able to handle a few fall HVAC maintenance tasks by yourself, only a professional can provide a thorough inspection, clean key components and other system maintenance tasks. Industry experts encourage homeowners to schedule professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance before winter.

Annual HVAC maintenance helps limit energy waste and ensures peak system efficiency. The time a technician has during an inspection to look out for minor problems before they cause trouble also minimizes the chances you’d need a costly, last-minute fix.

10. Prioritize Energy Efficiency When Upgrading Your HVAC System

Once your heating is more than 10 years old, it could be as low as 60% as efficient and nearing the end of its life span. Rather than allowing total system failure, start planning for a new system. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of AFUE ratings as high as 97%, providing energy savings right away and peace of mind for the winter months ahead.

Get Your HVAC Ready for Fall and Contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today

If you need help completing the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning gets the job done right. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, yet lasting results for all your HVAC service needs. To set up a maintenance call, please contact us today.