Your Fall 2024 HVAC Maintenance Checklist

As the leaves begin to fall and the temperature drops, it’s an ideal opportunity to ready your HVAC system for the colder months. Routine fall HVAC maintenance reduces the risk of problems showing up and helps make sure your home is always safe and warm. Here are a few quick tips to ensure your furnace is running its best this year.

1. Change the Air Filter Every So Often

All your basic 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 capturing microscopic pollutants. Over time, the air filter fills with debris, which hinders airflow and can place added strain on your system. To avoid this, change the filter every one to three months.

2. Set Your Thermostat for Heating Energy Efficiency

With the temperatures dropping soon, now’s the time to change your thermostat from cooling to heating mode. Making thermostat adjustments for energy efficiency keeps costs in check and ensures a cozy home. Here are several tips:

• Set your thermostat to 70 degrees or cooler when you’re at home.
• Further lower the temperature to around 62 degrees when you’re away or sleeping. A new smart thermostat can manage these day-to-day adjustments for you.
• Avoid overriding pre-set temperatures. Instead, grab a blanket or sweater if you get cold.
• If you decide you still need to adjust the temperature, increase it slowly. Setting it as high as possible won’t warm your home any faster.

3. Check Your Air Ducts for Dust, Debris

Every now and then, set aside some time to take a look at all the air duct registers in your home. If these registers are clogged with dust, vacuum them with the brush nozzle to keep the debris from getting stuck deeper in the ventilation. Make sure that no return or supply vents are blocked by furniture, rugs or curtains to keep air flowing evenly.

Shutting off vents in rooms you don’t use might sound like an effective way to reduce costs, but it can also create issues with airflow, adding strain on your system and—inadvertently—driving utility costs UP. Keep at least 80% of your registers open to keep airflow well-balanced.

4. Fix Leaky Air Ducts

Leaky air ducts let heating and cooling escape, resulting in higher energy costs. Despite the name, duct tape is a poor solution for sealing up air ducts. For the best results, have a professional come by to properly patch the leaks in your ventilation. The experience of a professional will cut energy bills, improve comfort and even enhance your home’s air quality.

5. Take Other Steps to Prevent Heating-Related Fires

The gas furnace is a primary risk factor for home fires. Stick to these tips to minimize the risk as much as possible:

• Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heating equipment, including space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and other gas appliances.
• Never leave a running space heater unattended.
• Similarly, don’t plug space heaters into extension cords.
• Should you notice weird noises or smells from your furnace, turn it off and call an HVAC professional.

6. Inspect the Furnace Flue

An obstructed flue pipe can result in harmful backdrafting, raising the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Before you start your furnace this fall, check the flue vent outside to ensure it’s not obstructed by anything. If the flue is blocked, contact an HVAC technician for help.

7. Maintain Clear Space Around Your Furnace

Your furnace needs ample room around where it’s installed to run safely. Refrain from keeping any storage within 10 to 15 feet of the unit. If your basement or utility closet is too small, try and leave it uncluttered apart from the HVAC equipment. Place flammable materials like paint, cleaning supplies and aerosol sprays separate from the furnace.

8. Test Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

These important safety devices warn you of dangers like a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Check them once a month to make sure they work okay, and change the batteries once a year. Only take out the batteries if you’re intending to switch them out right away.

9. Schedule HVAC Maintenance with an Expert

While you may be able to handle a few fall HVAC maintenance tasks on your own, only a professional can complete full inspections, with cleaning and other tune-up tasks. Industry experts encourage homeowners to schedule professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance at the start of fall.

Routine HVAC maintenance helps limit energy waste and ensures peak system efficiency. The ability to look out for minor problems before they wreak havoc also minimizes the chances you’d need emergency repairs.

10. Think About Replacing Your HVAC System

Once your heating has been in use for more than a decade, it may only be 60% as efficient and approaching the end of its service life. Rather than allowing total system failure, think about upgrading it. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of AFUE ratings as high as 97%, providing improved energy efficiency and total comfort for years to come.

Make Sure Your Furnace Is Prepped for Fall and Get in Touch with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today

If you need help completing the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help. We are committed to providing fast, yet lasting results for all your HVAC service concerns. To book your furnace tune-up, please contact us today.