Your Fall 2024 HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Once the fall season arrives and the temperature drops, it’s an ideal opportunity to prepare your HVAC system to handle the coming winter. Routine fall HVAC maintenance helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and keeps your home ready for the cold. Here are 10 simple steps to ensure your furnace is in top shape this season.

1. Replace the Air Filter Every So Often

All your basic HVAC air filters capture dust, allergens, hair and other common forms of airborne debris, protecting your HVAC system. High-efficiency filters better preserve indoor air quality by preventing the circulation of microscopic pollutants. Eventually, the air filter fills with debris, which hinders airflow and forces your furnace to work harder. To help put a stop to 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 switch your thermostat from AC to heat. Properly setting your thermostat limits energy waste and helps make your home comfortable. Here are some tips:

• Keep the temperature at 70 degrees or cooler when you’re at home.
• Further lower the temperature to around 62 degrees when you’re away or sleeping. 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 are still too cold.
• Should you still need to adjust the temperature, change it gradually. Setting it as high as possible won’t speed up the heating process.

3. Check Your Air Ducts for Dust, Debris

Every now and then, set aside a few minutes to take a look at all the air duct registers around the house. If these registers are clogged with dust, use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clean everything away. Make sure that no return or supply vents are blocked by furniture, rugs or curtains to keep air flowing evenly.

Closing vents when you leave the room might seem like a good idea to save money, but it can also disrupt airflow, increasing the strain on your system and—counterproductively—driving utility costs UP. Leave at least 80% of vents open to ensure the system performs consistently.

4. Seal Any Leaks in the Ductwork

Leaking air ducts are a common source of heat loss, resulting in higher energy costs. Despite the name, duct tape is not ideal for sealing up air ducts. For the best results, hire an HVAC professional to properly seal your ductwork. The support from local comfort professionals will cut energy bills, improve comfort and even enhance your home’s air quality.

5. Take Other Steps to Prevent Heating-Related Fires

A problem with your heating system is a primary risk factor for home fires. Remember 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 other gas appliances.
• Never leave a running space heater unattended.
• Similarly, avoid using extension cords for space heaters.
• When your furnace makes odd sounds or has unusual smells, shut it off and call an HVAC professional.

6. Examine the Furnace Exhaust Flue

An obstructed flue pipe can result in harmful backdrafting, raising the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Before running your furnace this fall, examine the flue outside to ensure it’s unobstructed. If the flue is being obstructed by debris, contact an HVAC technician for help.

7. Keep the Utility Room Clear

Your furnace should have sufficient empty space surrounding it to run safely. Refrain from keeping any storage closer than 10 to 15 feet of the unit. If your basement or utility closet 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 far from your furnace.

8. Test Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

These important safety devices warn you of emergencies like a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Test them on a monthly basis to verify they’re all working, and check/replace the batteries every year. Only remove the batteries if you’re planning to replace them immediately.

9. Schedule Professional HVAC Maintenance

While you may be able to handle some simpler fall HVAC maintenance tasks by yourself, only a professional can provide a thorough inspection, clean key components and other system maintenance tasks. Industry experts recommend professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance every fall.

Annual HVAC maintenance helps limit energy waste and ensures peak system efficiency. The ability to look out for minor problems before they become major problems also minimizes the chances you’d need a costly, last-minute fix.

10. Prioritize Energy Efficiency When Replacing the Old HVAC System

Once your heating 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 letting it reach total system failure, start planning for a new system. 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 Prepped for Fall and Call 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 is ready to serve you. We offer fast, yet lasting results for all your comfort concerns. To book your furnace tune-up, please contact us today.