Your Fall 2024 HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Once the autumn leaves start to drop and the temperature drops, it’s the perfect time to prepare your HVAC system for the colder months. Regularly scheduled fall HVAC maintenance prevents premature system failure and keeps your home safe and warm. Here are 10 easy ways to ensure your furnace is in top shape this fall.

1. Swap Out Your HVAC Air Filter on a Regular Basis

Typical HVAC air filters help filter out dust, allergens, hair and other large particles, shielding your furnace and AC systems. High-efficiency filters better protect indoor air quality by trapping microscopic pollutants. Eventually, the air filter becomes clogged, which limits air circulation and forces your furnace to work harder. To avoid this, swap out the filter regularly throughout the year.

2. Adjust Your Thermostat for Winter

With the weather cooling off soon, it’s time to adjust your thermostat from AC to heat. Properly setting your thermostat limits energy waste and ensures a cozy home. Here are several tips:

• Set your thermostat to 70 degrees or cooler when you’re at home.
• Further lower the temperature to around 62 degrees whenever you’re not home or overnight. A new smart thermostat can manage these day-to-day adjustments for you.
• Avoid overriding programmed settings. Instead, layer up with a sweater or blanket if you feel chilly.
• Should you still need to adjust the temperature, do so one degree at a time. Going right to 80 degrees won’t warm your home any faster.

3. Keep Ventilation Clean and Free of Debris

Every now and then, set aside a few minutes to take a look at all the air duct openings in your home. For any registers covered in dust, use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clear it off. Make sure that no return or supply vents are obstructed by furniture, rugs or curtains to maintain proper circulation.

Shutting off vents in rooms you don’t use may seem smart to save money, but it can also cause uneven air distribution, adding strain on your system and—ironically—RAISING your energy costs. Make sure 80% or more of the vent registers are open to ensure the system performs consistently.

4. Check Air Ducts and Seal up Any Leaks

Inefficient air ducts are a common source of heat loss, leading to higher energy costs. Despite the name, duct tape is a poor solution for sealing up air ducts. For effective sealing, have a professional come by to properly patch the leaks in your ductwork. The investment will reduce heating costs, improve comfort and even boost indoor air quality.

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

The gas furnace is a major source of home fires. Remember these tips to keep your family safe:

• Store flammable materials far from heat sources, especially space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and water heaters.
• Don’t leave space heaters or other portable systems running if you’re not there.
• Similarly, avoid using extension cords for space heaters.
• When your furnace makes odd sounds or has unusual smells, shut it off and contact a heating Expert.

6. Examine Your Furnace’s Flue

An obstructed flue pipe can cause dangerous backdrafting, raising the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Before you start your furnace this fall, examine the flue outside to ensure it’s not obstructed by anything. If the flue is obstructed, call a professional for help.

7. Clear Your Furnace Room

Your furnace requires ample room around where it’s installed to avoid the risk of problems. Avoid storing items within 10 to 15 feet of the unit. If your utility closet or basement is too small, keep it empty 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 important safety devices alert your family of dangers like a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Test them on a monthly basis to make sure they work okay, and check/replace the batteries every year. Only remove the batteries if you’re intending to switch them out right away.

9. Stay on Top of Professional HVAC Maintenance

While it’s possible to handle a few fall HVAC maintenance tasks yourself, only a professional can provide a thorough inspection, clean key components and other tune-up tasks. Industry experts suggest professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance at the start of fall.

Preventive HVAC maintenance keeps energy costs in check and keeps your system running smoothly. The opportunity to catch small issues before they become major problems also minimizes the chances you’d need an emergency service call.

10. Prioritize Energy Efficiency When Replacing Your HVAC System

Once your heating passes the 10-year mark, it may only be 60% as efficient and close to needing replacement. Instead of waiting for total system failure, consider replacing it now. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of AFUE ratings as high as 97%, providing energy savings right away and peace of mind for years to come.

Get Your HVAC Prepped for Fall and Get in Touch with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today

If you want to check off all the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning gets the job done right. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, affordable solutions for all your comfort needs. To set up a maintenance call, please contact us today.