The crispness of fall is just around the corner, which means it’s almost time to put away the summer equipment and prepare your home for the fall season. You never know what the winter will be like, so it’s best to be prepared as early as possible. When you are preparing for the fall, one of the most important things to do is ensure your HVAC system is clean, maintained and ready for winter and the best time to do this is in the fall. Here are a few tips to help you prepare your home’s HVAC for the fall season.
Change the Filter
A dirty air filter can lead to a wide range of problems for your HVAC system and the air quality in your home. Changing the air filter is quick, easy and inexpensive, yet many people often forget to change it. Clean airs filters will help reduce the amount of dust in your home and help improve efficiency, keep the HVAC system clean, and save you money. Some HVAC manufacturers recommend changing the filter every three months, unless you have pets and then it should be changed monthly. Be sure to check with your HVAC technician for recommendations on how often you should change the air filter.
Schedule Fall Maintenance
Scheduling routine maintenance for the HVAC system is essential for ensuring your system is operating at its best. During your scheduled maintenance, the technician will inspect all moving parts and repair or replace damaged parts, check the pilot light and the gas to ensure there aren’t any leaks, and test the thermostat to ensure it’s working like it’s supposed to.
Winterize the Cooling System
An important step in preparing your HVAC system for the fall is getting the air conditioner ready for winter cold months. You’ll be turning the furnace on before you know it, so you don’t want to risk any damages to the air conditioner and winterizing the outside unit will protect it against rust damage. Steps to winterize the air conditioning unit include:
Turn the unit off at the circuit that is on or near the unit. This will prevent water from getting in the unit that may freeze during the winter.
Use a hose to remove dead bugs, dirt, and dust and bird droppings. Remove leaves, grass clippings and branches from the unit and allow the unit to completely dry.
Use foam pipe covers to insulate all exterior exposed pipes and wrap duct tape around the foam cover to help hold it in place.
Cover the unit with a vinyl or plastic waterproof cover. If you don’t have a cover made for the air conditioning unit, use a bungee cord to help hold the plastic in place.
Check the outdoor unit occasionally to ensure there isn’t a buildup of snow and ice on the unit and remove leaves, branches, and pinecones from the cover.
When it comes to ensuring your HVAC unit is ready for the fall and winter, professional maintenance is the key. An HVAC technician will know exactly what to look for. They will thoroughly inspect and clean the furnace and the air conditioning unit to help reduce the risk of an HVAC system failure, which ultimately saves you money in unexpected repairs.
To ensure your HVAC system is ready for fall, contact Fords Plumbing to schedule your maintenance and inspection.
