Now that fall is in full swing it’s time to ensure your HVAC unit is ready for the fall, especially since winter isn’t too far away. The fall is the perfect time to prep your HVAC system for the winter season so you don’t discover your heating system isn’t working after winter has arrived.
Here are some helpful tips to get your HVAC system ready.
Change Your Air Filters
This is important because dirty air filters can cause a lot of problems with your HVAC system. It can prevent your system from heating or cooling efficiency and decreasing energy efficiency which can raise your heating bill. Your air filters should be changed with each new season. It’s also important to be consistent with furnace filter changes throughout the winter months to keep your system working properly.
Check the Registers
The heat registers in your home serve a very important role since they are the endpoint of the air duct system and are responsible for distributing warm air into your home. If they have dirt, dust, and other debris inside of them both the efficiency and air quality can be impacted. Cleaning them will keep you breathing easy and your HVAC system running efficiently.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Once the fall arrives it’s time to adjust your thermostat settings, it’s also the perfect time to install a programmable thermostat if you haven’t installed one already. Since temperatures tend to fluctuate greatly during the fall a thermostat will help keep your house at a comfortable temperature, no matter what the weather is outside.
Check and Clean the Outdoor Unit
When the outdoor unit becomes damaged or impacted by dirt and debris the performance of your unit can suffer. It’s important to ensure that the fan and grate are clean and free of all debris. If you are cleaning the unit yourself be sure to turn off the electricity to your system first.
If you notice that the fan has been dented or damaged, contact us immediately to inspect the fan and unit.
Consider Installing Additional Insulation
If you have noticed that your energy bills were higher than usual you should consider adding more insulation. Our technicians can perform a check for you to recommend where you should add insulation and help detect areas where drafts are getting in. Common locations that can benefit from added insulation include:
- Doors
- Crawlspaces
- Windows
- The heating system
- Attic
Create Climate Zones to Avoid a Hot-Upstairs-Cold-Downstairs Situation
If you live in a multi-level home you may find that the upper levels of your home are warmer than the rest. Since heat rises and cold air collects on the ground level you should create climate zones to create a consistent temperature throughout your home.
Turn Your Furnace On a Few Times Before Winter Arrives
You don’t wait until winter arrives to discover your furnace isn’t working properly.
Schedule an HVAC Inspection
This is the best way to prepare your system for fall. When you schedule a maintenance check-up our technicians will come to your home and inspect your furnace and make any needed adjustments to ensure your system will continue operating properly. Our inspection will include all electrical wiring, burners, heat exchanger, safety switch, draft inducer and many additional components that are part of your heating system. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.