2024 Autumn HVAC Maintenance Guide

Once the fall season arrives and the cooler weather sets in, it’s the perfect time to ready your HVAC system for the winter months ahead. Regular fall HVAC maintenance reduces the risk of problems showing up and ensures your home stays safe and warm. Here are 10 simple steps to keep your furnace running its best this season.

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

Standard HVAC air filters capture dust, allergens, hair and other airborne debris, forming a layer of protection for your heating and cooling. New filters better maintain indoor air quality by trapping microscopic pollutants. Over time, the air filter will clog up, which limits air circulation and forces your furnace to work harder. To help put a stop to this, replace the filter every one to three months.

2. Optimize Your Thermostat Settings

With the weather cooling off soon, now’s the time to change your thermostat from cooling to heating mode. Making thermostat adjustments for energy efficiency limits energy waste and maintains a complete sense of comfort. Here are several tips:

• Adjust the temperature to 70°F or less at home.
• Further lower the temperature to around 62 degrees whenever you’re not home or when you’re asleep. A smart thermostat can handle this and even create optimized settings for you.
• Try your best to keep from overriding pre-set temperatures. Instead, layer up with a sweater or blanket if you feel chilly.
• If you decide you still need to adjust the temperature, do so one degree at a time. Going right to 80 degrees isn’t the shortcut some people hope it is.

3. Check Your Air Ducts for Dust, Debris

Every now and then, set aside some time to take a look at all the air duct registers in your home. If these registers are clogged with dust, grab your vacuum’s brush attachment to clear it off. Ensure that no return or supply vents are obstructed by furniture, rugs or curtains to keep air flowing evenly.

Closing vents in unused rooms might seem like a good idea to lower HVAC bills, but it can also disrupt airflow, adding strain on your system and—counterproductively—leading to HIGHER energy bills. Make sure 80% or more of the vent registers are open to ensure the system performs consistently.

4. Seal Any Leaks in the Ductwork

Inefficient air ducts are a common source of heat loss, resulting in higher energy costs. Surprisingly, duct tape is a poor solution for sealing leaks in the air ducts. For a lasting seal, have a professional come by to properly seal your ductwork. The support from local comfort professionals will lower your heating expenses, enhance your sense of comfort and even enhance your home’s air quality.

5. Take Other Steps to Prevent Heating-Related Fires

Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires. Follow these guidelines to stay protected:

• Keep flammable items at least three feet away 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 contact a heating Expert.

6. Examine the Furnace Exhaust Flue

A clog in the flue pipe can result in harmful backdrafting, raising the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Before you start your furnace this fall, examine the flue outside to ensure it’s clear of obstructions. If the flue is clogged, call a professional for help.

7. Maintain Clear Space Around Your Furnace

Your furnace needs 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 is too small, keep it empty apart from the HVAC equipment. Place flammable materials like paint, cleaning supplies and aerosol sprays far from the furnace.

8. Ensure Smoke, Carbon Monoxide Alarms Work

These important safety devices alert your family of hazards like a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Check them once a month to ensure they’re working correctly, and replace the batteries annually. Only remove the batteries if you’re planning to replace them immediately.

9. Keep up with Professional HVAC Inspections

While you may be able to take care of a few fall HVAC maintenance tasks by yourself, a certified technician can perform comprehensive service, with cleaning and other necessary tasks. Industry experts encourage homeowners to schedule professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance every fall.

Regularly scheduled HVAC maintenance keeps energy costs in check and ensures peak system efficiency. The time a technician has during an inspection to look out for minor problems before they become major problems also minimizes the chances you’d need an emergency service call.

10. Consider Upgrading Your Furnace

Once your heating passes the 10-year mark, it could be as low as 60% as efficient and nearing the end of its life span. Rather than letting it reach total system failure, think about upgrading it. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of AFUE ratings as high as 97%, providing immediate energy savings and total comfort for the winter months ahead.

Make Sure Your Furnace Is Ready for Fall and Contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today

If you prefer letting the professionals handle the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is ready to serve you. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, affordable solutions for all your HVAC service needs. To schedule your next HVAC maintenance visit, please contact us today.