6 HVAC Tips to Prepare Your Furnace for Fall in Louisville
Fall is full of fun activities: apple picking, bonfires, and jumping into leaf piles are just a few of the highlights. Furnace maintenance might not make the top of the list of exciting fall activities…but it is essential.
Seasonal maintenance keeps your HVAC system running smoothly as temperatures change, averting potential issues before they arise. The last thing any of us needs is the furnace kicking out during a holiday party – so get your heating system in the best shape possible now and avoid potential stress down the road. Follow our HVAC checklist for fall preventative maintenance and keep your system running smoothly all winter.
Tip #1: Schedule a Professional Tune-Up
As we’ll detail below, there are several DIY tasks you can perform to keep your furnace running smoothly. However, professional maintenance is also essential for prepping your furnace for winter. Our experienced team will perform all of the fall HVAC maintenance necessary to ensure your furnace is in the best shape possible before temperatures drop.
During a “Check & Clean” service, a DFH HVAC technician thoroughly inspects your system to identify any potential issues. This includes electrical components, air filters, and your thermostat. The technician will then clean your system and remove any debris to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible.
Best practice is to give your HVAC system a tune-up twice a year, before it gets the heaviest use. Before winter weather puts your furnace to the test, schedule a DFH Check & Clean service.
Tip #2: Change or Clean Air Filters
One of the simplest and most important items on every furnace inspection checklist is replacing the air filter. Air filters have three main effects that make regular maintenance critical, and replacing them is simple.
Efficiency: A clogged air filter can seriously decrease the efficiency of your furnace. Over time, dust and dirt accumulate on the filter, and your furnace has to work harder to move the same amount of air. This increases the amount of energy the system uses and, therefore, your energy bill as well.
Health: An air filter’s job is to trap particles of dust and mold so that you’re not constantly breathing them in. When a filter gets overly clogged, these particles can start circulating again, worsening asthma and allergy symptoms.
Furnace Lifespan: Forcing your furnace to work too hard by neglecting to change the filter places your system under unnecessary stress. In worst-case scenarios, clogged air filters could even cause the furnace to overheat and need repairs or replacement.
The frequency of air filter changes depends on the type of filter used and the level of demand placed on it. However, it’s generally recommended to change your air filter every other month. As your furnace gears up for colder weather, it’s a great time to start fresh.
Tip #3: Test Your Thermostat
After a long summer without using your furnace, it’s a good idea to ensure your thermostat is in good shape. Replacing the batteries with fresh ones is a great start. Then perform a basic functionality test to see that your thermostat is communicating properly with your furnace.
An easy test is to simply increase the temperature your thermostat is set to, and then listen to the furnace to hear it kick on. If the furnace doesn’t turn on or something sounds off, that’s a good sign to turn to a professional.
If you find any potential issues with your thermostat, take care of it right away rather than waiting until the weather gets cold. For a furnace tune-up, Louisville loves DFH Company. With our heating repair services, we quickly find and fix furnace problems so your home stays warm and comfortable as the weather cools.
Tip #4: Inspect Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors are lifesaving tools, but they don’t do you any good if they don’t work properly. Regular maintenance is easy to overlook, but it takes only a couple of minutes to perform. Replace the batteries at least every six months, and quickly test your carbon monoxide detector. Inspecting your carbon monoxide detector is as easy as pressing a button, and it goes a long way towards keeping you and your family safe.
Locate the test button, usually on the front or side of your carbon monoxide detector. Pressing and holding the test button should cause the carbon monoxide detector to beep. If it doesn’t produce a sound, check to make sure the batteries are working and consider replacing the unit.
Regularly servicing and cleaning your furnace is an important step to prevent a potential carbon monoxide leak.
Tip #5: Clear Vents and Registers
Throughout the year, dust and debris builds up not just in the air filter but on the vents themselves. Unobstructed airflow is key for your HVAC system to run efficiently, so aim to give these areas a good clean about twice a year.
Before cleaning the vents, turn off your HVAC system so that it doesn’t re-circulate the dust that gets stirred up. Use a screwdriver to remove vent covers and wipe them down with a cloth and warm, soapy water. You can also use the crevice attachment on your vacuum cleaner to get any dust in the corners of the vents.
Once the vent covers are dry, reattach them and turn the HVAC system back on. Ahhh…that’s fresh air!
Tip #6: Check for Strange Noises or Odors
Finally, take a moment to pay attention to your HVAC system. An unusual noise or even a smell emanating from your furnace could be a warning sign and reason to call in a professional. Catching issues early on and addressing them promptly prevents them from snowballing into something bigger, higher maintenance, and more costly. Avert a breakdown by identifying issues early and performing home heating system prep.
The US Department of Energy’s page on furnaces and boilers includes tips for maintaining your system. It’s a great resource to better understand how your home’s heating system works and feel good about your seasonal HVAC service.
Final Notes
Preventative furnace care is simple and relatively quick, and it could be the difference between a cozy winter and a chilly one. Inspecting the components of your HVAC system and briefly testing them before the first cold snap is a quick way to give yourself peace of mind as the weather changes.
Don’t wait for cold weather to hit–schedule your furnace check-up with DFH Company today to stay warm and worry-free.