Your Fall 2024 HVAC Maintenance Checklist

As the leaves begin to fall and the cooler weather sets in, it’s the perfect time to tune-up your HVAC system for the colder months. Routine fall HVAC maintenance reduces the risk of problems showing up and helps make sure your home is always safe and warm. Here are a few quick tips to ensure your furnace is running its best this year.

1. Swap Out Your HVAC Air Filter Regularly

All your basic HVAC air filters capture dust, allergens, hair and other common forms of airborne debris, forming a layer of protection for your HVAC system. High-efficiency filters better maintain indoor air quality by preventing the circulation of microscopic pollutants. Over time, the air filter becomes clogged, which restricts airflow and forces your furnace to work harder. To avoid this, swap out the filter every one to three months.

2. Optimize Your Thermostat Settings

With winter approaching, now’s the time to change your thermostat from cooling to heating mode. Properly setting your thermostat limits energy waste and helps make your home comfortable. Here are several tips:

• Adjust the temperature to 70°F or less at home.
• Set the thermostat even lower to around 62 degrees if you’re out or when you’re asleep. A new smart thermostat can handle this and even create optimized settings for you.
• Refrain from overriding these efficiency-minded temperature settings. Instead, add an extra layer if you are still too cold.
• If you decide you still need to adjust the temperature, increase it slowly. Going right 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. When you see lots of dirt and dust buildup, vacuum them with the brush nozzle to clear it off. Double-check that no return or supply vents are obscured by furniture, rugs or curtains to maintain proper circulation.

Closing vents when you leave the room might seem like a good idea to lower HVAC bills, but it can also disrupt airflow, putting more stress on your system and—counterproductively—driving utility costs UP. Keep at least 80% of your registers open to keep airflow well-balanced.

4. Check Air Ducts and Seal up Any Leaks

Leaky air ducts let heating and cooling escape, leading to higher energy costs. Regardless of its name, duct tape is a poor solution for sealing up air ducts. For a lasting seal, call an Expert to properly seal your air vents. The investment will lower your heating expenses, improve comfort and even boost indoor air quality.

5. Ensure Your Home Is Safe from Heating-Related Fires

Heating equipment is a major source of home fires. Remember these guidelines to minimize the risk as much as possible:

• Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heating equipment, including 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, don’t plug space heaters into extension cords.
• Should you notice weird noises or smells from your furnace, shut it off and call an HVAC professional.

6. Examine the Furnace Flue

A clog in the flue pipe can result in harmful backdrafting, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Before turning on the heat this fall, examine the flue outside to ensure it’s not obstructed by anything. If the flue is being obstructed by debris, contact an HVAC technician for help.

7. Maintain Clear Space Around Your Furnace

Your furnace requires adequate space 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, keep it empty 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 important safety devices notify the household of dangers like a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Test them on a monthly basis to verify they’re all working, and replace the batteries annually. Only remove the batteries if you’re intending to switch them out right away.

9. Schedule Professional HVAC Maintenance

While you may be able to take care of some of the fall HVAC maintenance tasks yourself, only a professional can complete full inspections, with cleaning and other system maintenance tasks. Industry experts recommend professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance before winter.

Annual HVAC maintenance keeps energy costs in check and ensures smooth day-to-day operation. The time a technician has during an inspection to look out for minor problems before they become major problems also reduces the risk of an emergency service call.

10. Prioritize Energy Efficiency When Upgrading the Old HVAC System

If your furnace has been in use for more than a decade, it may only be 60% as efficient and approaching the end of its service life. Instead of allowing total system failure, think about upgrading it. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of 97% AFUE efficiency, providing immediate energy savings and total comfort for the winter months ahead.

Make Sure Your Furnace Is Ready for Fall and Get in Touch with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today

If you prefer letting the professionals handle the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning gets the job done right. We are committed to providing fast, long-lasting solutions for all your comfort concerns. To book your furnace tune-up, please contact us today.