The fall season is coming up fast! That means it’s time to start preparing your home for the fall and winter seasons. Since your home HVAC system is responsible for cooling in the summer and heating in the winter, it’s one of the most important systems in your home to take care of.
Here are five ways you can make sure your HVAC system is ready for fall!
1. Check your home detectors and alarms
Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are some of the most essential home safety equipment you have! House fires are more common in the fall and winter due to an increase in use of home heating equipment (think heaters, fans, stoves, improperly maintained furnaces, etc.), candles, extension cords, and more. It’s important to make it a habit to test them as you had into the fall and winter seasons. Press the buttons on them to test. Replace the batteries. Also, manufacturers suggest replacing these every 10 years. If you are unsure of how old they are, check the date on the back of the detector. Your safety is important!
2. Seal Your Air Leaks
Not only are these air leaks letting in cold air, they are sucking your energy savings! All of those little drafts from windows and doors can add up big time. Use caulk or weather stripping to address problem areas around windows, doors, garage doors, gaps in the brick, and more.
3. Change Your Filter
If you haven’t changed your filter lately on your HVAC system, now is the time. As we are heading into the heating season, your system needs a fresh start. Regularly changing your filter is important not only for your health, but also for the lifespan of your heating and cooling system. When debris builds up on your filter it makes it more difficult for the system to pull in air to circulate, causing it to work harder than necessary. If you need to change your filter monthly, it’s a good idea to set yourself a reminder on your phone or write it on your calendar. For those that have more heavy duty filters and don’t need to change them as often, it’s still a good idea to set a reminder so that it doesn’t slip your mind in between. If you order from a subscription service, set it to auto-ship so that you don’t forget and when your new filter arrives you’ll know it’s time to swap them out.
4. Clear debris around your outdoor unit
Now is the time to make sure your outdoor unit is clear of debris. Make sure yard debris, landscaping, and other hazards are a minimum of 18″ from your unit. The further away, the better. You want to give your unit room to breathe. If you haven’t had your unit inspected and tested, it’s not too late. Hop on the phone and get your unit cleaned, inspected, and tested by the professionals.
5. Schedule Your Fall/Winter Maintenance
Your equipment needs inspected, tested, and cleaned at the start of every heating or cooling season by a professional technician. Manufacturers require this service in order to keep your warranty intact. Not only is this essential to maintaining your warranty, it ensures a long life for your equipment with minimal issues. Think of it as an oil change on your car. Can you go over a little for your oil change? Sure. But if you keep going, you’ll soon discover why oil changes are an essential maintenance service for the vehicle. Just like your car, your HVAC equipment needs regular maintenance in order to function properly. Our technicians will clean, test, and inspect your system to ensure that it is working like it’s supposed to. Better yet, it’s best to identify small issues before they become larger, more expensive problems.
If you have any questions about best practices on caring for your HVAC equipment, or want to schedule your maintenance appointment, give us a call at 937-439-4696 or message us online.
