Autumn HVAC Preparation: Tips and Tricks

When the summertime turns into autumn, you’re likely thinking about preparing your home for the colder weather. One household system that you don’t want to overlook is your HVAC system. There are various tasks that you’ll want to undertake in order to ensure that it’s in tip-top condition for fall.

Schedule Professional Service

One of the most important things you’ll want to do is schedule professional maintenance service. It’s important to have one of our HVAC technicians access your heating system to locate any potential problems and perform service on its internal components. One of the most crucial reasons to have this service performed is to ensure the warranty coverage on your system remains active for another year.

Change Air Filters

When the seasons change, it’s a good time to switch out the air filter on your HVAC system. You want to replace it with a filter of the exact same size to ensure optimal efficiency of the filter. It’s a good idea to have multiple filters on hand so that you can replace your filter whenever it becomes dirty. A dirty filter can really restrict the overall efficiency of your heating system.

Program Your Thermostat

When you’re officially ready to switch from air conditioning to heating, you’ll need to change the settings on your thermostat. Apart from switching from cool mode to heat mode, you’ll also want to program in a set schedule. This will help to maximize the efficiency of your energy usage throughout the winter months. If you haven’t already considered upgrading to a smart thermostat, you should do so. This upgrade can allow you to better monitor your energy usage so that you can better optimize it throughout the year.

Check Smoke Detectors

If you rely on a fuel-burning heating system, then your system will create harmful exhaust fumes. While these are normally vented to the outdoors, malfunctions with your system can allow them to build up inside. For this reason, it’s important to have both carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home. You want one on every floor and outside every bedroom. Make sure that you test each detector and put in fresh batteries. You also want to verify that the fire extinguisher near your heating system is still good.

Order Fuel

If your heating system relies on propane or heating oil, then you’re going to have a storage tank at your home. Autumn is the perfect time of year to go ahead and get that tank refilled so it’s ready for when you need your heating system to work. You may even want to consider signing up for automatic delivery service to not only receive a discount on fuel costs but to also ensure you never run out of fuel.

Close Off AC Condenser Unit

After you’re done using your air conditioning system for the year, you want to ensure that you close it off for the wintertime. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use an AC unit cover. This will have a solid top to prevent any debris from falling down into the unit. It will have sides that allow for airflow through the unit to allow for adequate protection while preventing unwanted corrosion.

Test Run Your Heating System

Another maintenance task you’ll want to perform is to test-run your heating system. Make sure that you set the temperature at least five degrees above what the ambient room temperature is. Once your heating system kicks on, you’ll want to listen for any odd noises. Your system will likely emit a burning smell for the first few minutes of operation. This is simply dust burning off your system and should dissipate very quickly.

When testing your system, walk around to each air vent to ensure that hot air is coming out of it. If there are any obstructions in front of the vent or the vent is closed, you’ll want to remedy that problem.

Schedule Chimney Cleaning Service

If you rely on a fuel-burning heating system, then you likely use a chimney to vent the exhaust fumes outdoors. Over time, debris can build up on the walls of your chimney and need to be removed. You should call every fall to have a professional clean your chimney and give it a thorough inspection.

Decide if You Should Beef Up Your Insulation

Insulation is a necessary barrier that separates the air outside and inside your home. The higher the R-value insulation is given, the more effective it will be at resisting temperature changes from one location to the next. If your home doesn’t have any insulation or your current insulation doesn’t meet the recommended R-value for your area of the country, you may want to consider upgrading. This can go a long way in enhancing your energy savings and overall comfort throughout the long winter months.

Consider Ductwork Cleaning and Sealing

For your furnace to adequately deliver enough hot air throughout your home, your ductwork needs to be free of debris. Over time, it can accumulate debris, like pet hair and dust, that can restrict airflow inside it. Additionally, leaks can develop, especially around connections, which can allow your precious hot air to escape. Fall is the perfect time to consider investing in duct cleaning and/or sealing services.

Clean Up Around Your Furnace

If your furnace is located in your basement, it’s likely that there’s open space around it. Throughout the summer months, it can be easy to store items near your furnace because you don’t have to worry about it running. However, when autumn arrives, it’s necessary to clean up the space around your furnace. Remove anything within a five-foot radius of the unit.

Fix Air Leaks

As the temperatures change, new air leaks can develop on your exterior walls. If you run your hand around your door and window frames, you can identify leaks by a change in temperature. You’ll want to seal up any new air leaks with caulking or weather stripping. If you notice air leaks at the light switches or outlets on your exterior wall, use foam inserts that sit behind the cover plate to block that unpleasant airflow.

Switch Ceiling Fan Directions

If you rely on ceiling fans to help reduce your energy usage throughout the year, then you’ll need to ensure you switch the direction of the fan blades. While they should be spinning in a counterclockwise direction during the summertime, they’ll need to be spinning in a clockwise direction during the winter months. This will help force warm air from the top of the room out and down to the floor.

Expert HVAC Maintenance Service

Air Max HVAC offers expert HVAC maintenance services to the entire Burbank, CA community. Our technicians can also assist with all your indoor air quality, heating, air conditioning, smart thermostat, home energy audit, and utility rebate appraisal needs. Simply call us today to schedule your next service appointment with one of our highly experienced HVAC technicians.