Your Fall 2024 HVAC Maintenance Checklist

As the autumn leaves start to drop and the weather cools, it’s the perfect time to tune-up your HVAC system for the winter months ahead. Regular fall HVAC maintenance helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and helps make sure your home is always ready for the cold. Here are a few quick tips to keep your furnace running its best this season.

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

Standard HVAC air filters help filter out dust, allergens, hair and other large particles, protecting your HVAC system. New filters better preserve indoor air quality by preventing the circulation of microscopic pollutants. Over time, the air filter fills with debris, which restricts airflow and forces your furnace to work harder. To help put a stop to this, swap out the filter regularly throughout the year.

2. Optimize Your Thermostat Settings

With the temperatures dropping soon, now’s the time to change your thermostat from the AC to the furnace or heater. Adjusting your thermostat settings for each season limits energy waste and helps make your home comfortable. Here are some tips:

• Set your thermostat to 70 degrees or less when you’re at home.
• Drop the temperature a few more degrees to around 62 degrees if you’re out or sleeping. A smart 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 are still too cold.
• If you decide you still need to adjust the temperature, increase it slowly. 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 take a look at all the air duct registers around the house. If these registers are clogged with dust, vacuum them with the brush nozzle to keep the debris from getting stuck deeper in the ventilation. Double-check that no return or supply vents are obstructed by furniture, rugs or curtains to maintain proper circulation.

Closing vents when you leave the room might sound like an effective way to save money, but it can also disrupt airflow, putting more stress on your system and—counterproductively—leading to HIGHER energy bills. Keep at least 80% of your registers open to keep airflow well-balanced.

4. Fix Leaky Air Ducts

Leaky air ducts let heating and cooling escape, contributing to higher energy costs. Surprisingly, duct tape is not ideal for sealing leaks in the air ducts. For effective sealing, have a professional come by to properly seal your ductwork. The support from local comfort professionals will reduce heating costs, make your home more comfortable and even boost indoor air quality.

5. Take Other Steps to Prevent Heating-Related Fires

A problem with your heating system is a leading cause of home fires. Stick to these guidelines to minimize the risk as much as possible:

• Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heat sources, particularly 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.
• If you notice strange noises or smells, shut it down and reach out to your local heating repair technician.

6. Check Your Furnace’s Flue

A blocked flue pipe can lead to a higher risk of backdrafting, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Before you start your furnace 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. Keep the Utility Room Clear

Your furnace needs ample room around where it’s installed to avoid the risk of problems. Avoid storing items closer than 10 to 15 feet of the unit. If your utility closet is on the smaller side, try and leave it uncluttered apart from the HVAC equipment. Place flammable materials like paint, cleaning supplies and aerosol sprays separate from the furnace.

8. Check Your Smoke Alarms and CO Detectors

These vital safety devices notify the household 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. Arrange Professional HVAC Maintenance

While it’s possible to take care of some simpler fall HVAC maintenance tasks yourself, only a professional can perform comprehensive service, cleaning and other necessary tasks. Industry experts suggest professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance every fall.

Routine HVAC maintenance keeps energy costs in check and ensures peak system efficiency. The opportunity to catch small issues before they wreak havoc also minimizes the chances you’d need an emergency service call.

10. Consider Upgrading Your HVAC System

If your furnace passes the 10-year mark, it is likely 60% as efficient and close to needing replacement. Rather than allowing total system failure, consider replacing it now. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of 97% AFUE efficiency, providing immediate energy savings and peace of mind for the winter months ahead.

Make Sure Your Furnace Is Prepped for Fall and Contact 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 offer fast, affordable solutions for all your heating and cooling needs. To schedule your next HVAC maintenance visit, please contact us today.