Your Fall 2024 HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Once the fall season arrives and the temperature drops, it’s the perfect time to tune-up your HVAC system to handle the coming winter. Regular fall HVAC maintenance prevents premature system failure and keeps your home safe and warm. Here are 10 easy ways to ensure your furnace is working well this year.

1. Replace the Air Filter Every So Often

Standard HVAC air filters capture dust, allergens, hair and other large particles, protecting your HVAC system. The clean, more efficient filters better preserve indoor air quality by capturing microscopic pollutants. Over time, the air filter will clog up, which hinders airflow and forces your furnace to work harder. To avoid this, replace the filter regularly throughout the year.

2. Set Your Thermostat for Heating Energy Efficiency

With the temperatures dropping soon, it’s time to adjust your thermostat from the AC to the furnace or heater. Properly setting your thermostat keeps costs in check and helps make your home comfortable. Here are a few tips:

• Set your thermostat to 70 degrees or below at home.
• Drop the temperature a few more degrees to around 62 degrees when you’re away or when you’re asleep. A programmable thermostat can handle this and even create optimized settings for you.
• Avoid overriding pre-set temperatures. Instead, layer up with a sweater or blanket if you get cold.
• Should you still need to adjust the temperature, do so one degree at a time. Setting it as high as possible isn’t the shortcut some people hope it is.

3. Check Your Air Ducts for Dust, Debris

Every now and then, set aside some time to take a look at all the air vents in your home. If these registers are clogged with dust, grab your vacuum’s brush attachment to clear it off. Double-check that no return or supply vents are covered up 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 create issues with airflow, putting more stress on your system and—counterproductively—RAISING your energy costs. Make sure 80% or more of the vent registers are open to ensure the system performs consistently.

4. Fix Leaky Air Ducts

Leaky air ducts are a common source of heat loss, resulting in higher energy costs. Surprisingly, duct tape is not ideal for sealing up air ducts. For effective sealing, have a professional come by to properly patch the leaks in your air vents. The support from local comfort professionals will reduce heating costs, enhance your sense of comfort and even increase air quality.

5. Ensure Your Home Is Safe from Heating-Related Fires

The gas furnace is a major source of home fires. Remember these guidelines to minimize the risk as much as possible:

• Store flammable materials far from heat sources, particularly space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and other gas appliances.
• Don’t leave space heaters or other portable systems running if you’re not there.
• In the same vein, don’t plug space heaters into extension cords.
• Should you notice weird noises or smells from your furnace, shut it down and call an HVAC professional.

6. Examine Your Furnace’s Flue

A blocked flue pipe can lead to a higher risk of backdrafting, raising the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Before you start your furnace this fall, inspect the exhaust outside to ensure it’s unobstructed. If the flue is blocked, contact an HVAC technician for help.

7. Keep the Utility Room Clear

Your furnace should have sufficient empty space surrounding it to avoid the risk of problems. Avoid storing items closer than 10 to 15 feet of the unit. If your basement or utility closet is not large enough, do your best to ensure the area is clear apart from the HVAC equipment. Store flammable items like paint, cleaning supplies and aerosol sprays separate from your furnace.

8. Ensure Smoke, Carbon Monoxide Alarms Work

These crucial safety devices notify the household of hazards 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 take out the batteries if you’re ready to put new ones in.

9. Arrange Professional HVAC Maintenance

While it’s possible to take care of some simpler fall HVAC maintenance tasks by yourself, only a professional can provide a thorough inspection, clean key components and other necessary tasks. Industry experts encourage homeowners to schedule professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance every fall.

Preventive HVAC maintenance helps limit energy waste and keeps your system running smoothly. The opportunity to look out for minor problems before they cause trouble also helps prevent emergency repairs.

10. Think About Upgrading Your HVAC System

If your furnace has been in use for more than a decade, it is likely 60% as efficient and nearing the end of its life span. Rather than allowing total system failure, consider replacing it now. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of AFUE ratings as high as 97%, providing immediate energy savings and long-term comfort for the winter months ahead.

Get Your HVAC Ready for Fall and Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today

If you need help completing the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to serve you. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, long-lasting solutions for all your comfort concerns. To book your furnace tune-up, please contact us today.