Your Fall 2024 HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Once the autumn leaves start to drop and the weather cools, it’s the perfect time to prepare your HVAC system to handle the coming winter. Routine fall HVAC maintenance reduces the risk of problems showing up and keeps your home safe and warm. Here are 10 simple steps to ensure your furnace is in top shape this year.

1. Replace the Air Filter Regularly

Typical HVAC air filters capture dust, allergens, hair and other large particles, protecting your furnace and AC systems. The clean, more efficient filters better preserve indoor air quality by preventing the circulation of microscopic pollutants. Over time, the air filter will clog up, which hinders airflow and forces your furnace to work harder. To avoid this, swap out the filter regularly throughout the year.

2. Set Your Thermostat for Heating Energy Efficiency

With winter approaching, now’s the time to change your thermostat from AC to heat. Making thermostat adjustments for energy efficiency limits energy waste and maintains a complete sense of comfort. Here are several tips:

• Keep the temperature at 70 degrees or less for as long as you’re in the house.
• Set the thermostat even lower to around 62 degrees if you’re out or when you’re asleep. A programmable thermostat can manage these day-to-day adjustments for you.
• Avoid overriding pre-set temperatures. Instead, layer up with a sweater or blanket if you are still too cold.
• Should you still need to adjust the temperature, do so one degree at a time. Setting it as high as possible won’t warm your home any faster.

3. Clean and Inspect the Air Vents

Every now and then, set aside a few minutes to check all the air duct registers in your home. For any registers covered in dust, use a vacuum with a brush attachment to keep the debris from getting stuck deeper in the ventilation. Make sure that no return or supply vents are obstructed by furniture, rugs or curtains to maintain proper circulation.

Shutting off vents in rooms you don’t use may seem smart to save money, but it can also cause uneven air distribution, increasing the strain on your system and—ironically—driving utility costs UP. Make sure 80% or more of the vent registers are open to keep airflow well-balanced.

4. Fix Leaky Air Ducts

Inefficient air ducts let heating and cooling escape, leading to higher energy bills. Despite the name, duct tape is a poor solution for sealing up air ducts. For effective sealing, have a professional come by to properly seal your ductwork. The investment will lower your heating expenses, enhance your sense of comfort and even increase air quality.

5. Take Other Steps to Prevent Heating-Related Fires

A problem with your heating system is a leading cause of home fires. Stick to these guidelines to keep your family safe:

• Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heating equipment, including space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and other gas appliances.
• Don’t leave space heaters or other portable systems running if you’re not there.
• Similarly, don’t plug space heaters into extension cords.
• When your furnace makes odd sounds or has unusual smells, shut it down and reach out to your local heating repair technician.

6. Examine the Furnace Flue

A blocked flue pipe can cause dangerous backdrafting, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Before running your furnace this fall, inspect the exhaust outside to ensure it’s unobstructed. If the flue is obstructed, reach out to an HVAC Expert for help.

7. Maintain Clear Space Around Your Furnace

Your furnace needs sufficient empty space surrounding it to avoid the risk of problems. Avoid storing items within 10 to 15 feet of the unit. If your utility closet is too small, try and leave it uncluttered apart from the HVAC equipment. Keep items like paint, cleaning supplies and aerosol sprays separate from the furnace.

8. Test Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

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 replace the batteries annually. Only take them out if you’re planning to replace them immediately.

9. Stay on Top of Professional HVAC Maintenance

While you may be able to handle a few fall HVAC maintenance tasks by yourself, a certified technician can provide a thorough inspection, cleaning and other tune-up tasks. Industry experts encourage homeowners to schedule professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance before winter.

Routine HVAC maintenance keeps energy costs in check and ensures smooth day-to-day operation. The opportunity to identify potential concerns before they become major problems also reduces the risk of an emergency service call.

10. Consider Upgrading Your Furnace

If your furnace passes the 10-year mark, it may only be 60% as efficient and nearing the end of its life span. Rather than allowing total system failure, think about upgrading it. A new, high-efficiency furnace is capable of 97% AFUE efficiency, providing energy savings right away 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 today

If you need help completing the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning gets the job done right. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, long-lasting solutions for all your heating and cooling concerns. To book your furnace tune-up, please contact us today.