Your HVAC Maintenance Checklist for Fall

As the autumn leaves start to drop and the cooler weather sets in, it provides a good chance to tune-up your HVAC system for the colder months. Routine fall HVAC maintenance reduces the risk of problems showing up and ensures your home stays safe and warm. Here are 10 simple steps to ensure your furnace is in top shape this season.

1. Keep up with Professional HVAC Maintenance

Few things are more important to maximize furnace efficiency than preventive maintenance. While you may be able to take care of some simpler fall HVAC maintenance tasks on your own, only a professional can provide a thorough inspection, with cleaning and other necessary tasks. Industry experts suggest professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance every fall.

Regularly scheduled HVAC maintenance helps limit energy waste and ensures peak system efficiency. The ability to catch small issues before they become major problems also helps prevent an emergency service call.

General HVAC Safety

1. Keep the Utility Room Clear

Your furnace needs sufficient empty space surrounding it to run safely. Avoid storing items closer than 10 to 15 feet of the unit. If your utility closet is too small, do your best to ensure the area is clear apart from the HVAC equipment. Store flammable items like paint, cleaning supplies and aerosol sprays far from your furnace.

2. Take Other Steps to Prevent Heating-Related Fires

A problem with your heating system is a leading cause of home fires. Follow these recommendations to stay protected:

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

3. Test Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

These vital safety devices notify the household of emergencies like a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Check them once a month to ensure they’re working correctly, and check/replace the batteries every year. Only remove the batteries if you’re planning to replace them immediately.

Check That the Air Ducts Have Been Cleaned and Sealed

1. Examine the Furnace Flue

A clog in the flue pipe can cause dangerous backdrafting, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Before running 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.

2. Clean and Inspect the Air Vents

Every now and then, set aside a few minutes to take a look at all the air vents around the house. If these registers are clogged with dust, grab your vacuum’s brush attachment to keep the debris from getting stuck deeper in the ventilation. Ensure that no return or supply vents are obstructed by furniture, rugs or curtains to ensure proper air circulation.

Shutting off vents in rooms you don’t use might seem like a good idea to reduce costs, but it can also disrupt airflow, increasing the strain on your system and ironically driving utility costs UP. Keep at least 80% of your registers open to ensure the system performs consistently.

3. Fix Leaky Air Ducts

Leaky air ducts are a common source of heat loss, resulting in higher energy costs. Surprisingly, duct tape is a poor solution for sealing up air ducts. For the best results, call an Expert to properly patch the leaks in your air vents. The investment will cut energy bills, improve comfort and even boost indoor air quality.

Wrap up DIY Furnace Tasks

1. Change the Air Filter on a Regular Basis

Standard HVAC air filters help filter out dust, allergens, hair and other airborne debris, protecting your HVAC system. The clean, more efficient filters better protect indoor air quality by trapping microscopic pollutants. Over time, the air filter fills with debris, which limits air circulation and may overwork your furnace. To avoid this, swap out the filter every one to three months.

2. Set Your Thermostat for Heating Energy Efficiency

With winter approaching, it’s time to adjust your thermostat from cooling to heating mode. Making thermostat adjustments for energy efficiency lowers your monthly bill and helps make your home comfortable. Here are some tips:

• Try your best to keep from overriding programmed settings. Instead, grab a blanket or sweater if you feel chilly.
• If you decide you still need to adjust the temperature, increase it slowly. Raising the heat to 80 degrees won’t speed up the heating process.
• Adjust the temperature to 70°F or cooler when you’re at home.
• Drop the temperature a few more degrees to around 62 degrees when you’re away or when you’re asleep. A new smart thermostat can automate these changes for you.

3. Think About Upgrading the Old HVAC System

Once your heating passes the 10-year mark, it could be as low as 60% as efficient and approaching the end of its service life. Instead of allowing total system failure, consider replacing it now. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of AFUE ratings as high as 97%, providing improved energy efficiency and peace of mind for years to come.

Prevent a Heating Headache and Contact Olympic Aire today

If you want to check off all the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Olympic Aire is here to help. We are committed to providing fast, yet lasting results for all your heating and cooling needs. To book your furnace tune-up, please contact us today.