While the hottest and coldest parts of a given year will represent the peak periods of demand for your home or building’s HVAC system, it’s actually the time in between that is often most important for the maintenance and upkeep of your systems. Using the spring and fall periods – when your systems aren’t in such demand – to assess for damages and make any adjustments needed to your system is very important for both efficient operations and a long lifespan.
At Presidential Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer our clients an exclusive VIP Presidential Advantage Maintenance Plan that includes twice-yearly inspections from our team (in the spring and fall), discounted pricing, labor rate discounts, and priority service appointments.
For more in-depth knowledge about maintenance plans – how you will benefit, what should be covered, and what you should look for in a contractor – download our Free Expert Guide to HVAC Service and Maintenance Plans.
HVAC service tasks for the homeowner
- Filter Cleaning or Changes
One of the simplest areas of fall HVAC maintenance is cleaning or changing your filters. This is easily carried out by a homeowner or resident. It is incredibly important for the efficiency and lifespan of your system.
Depending on the type of filter you have in place, you may be able to simply clean it and put it back in place. Others may need to be changed out entirely. In either case, this is a very simple but important task that shouldn’t be neglected as we head into the colder months. If you are unsure on how to maintain your filters, contact your HVAC service team.
- Thermostat Checks and Upkeep
Another important area of focus when it comes to HVAC maintenance in the fall is your thermostat. As we head into the colder months, you’ll want to make sure that your thermostat is accurate and functioning properly so that your system can operate as efficiently as possible.
There are a few key things you’ll want to check on your thermostat as part of your fall HVAC maintenance routine — again, either on your own or with our help.
First, take a look at the batteries. If they’re starting to get low, it’s a good idea to go ahead and change them out so that you don’t run into any issues later on.
Second, check to make sure that all of the settings are where you want them to be. If you have any programmed settings in place, now is a good time to make sure that they’re still accurate and that you don’t need to make any changes.
If you’re still working with an older, manual thermostat, now might be a good time to consider upgrading to a newer, more efficient model. Smart thermostats in particular offer a number of benefits in terms of both efficiency and convenience.
HVAC service tasks for the professional
Furnace inspection
Your furnace has been turned off since the Spring. It’s important to have it thoroughly inspected before the weather turns cold and you start relying on it more heavily.
Your HVAC service professional will perform several tasks in preparation for the winter season including
- Clean the burner assembly removing any soot from the fireside of the burner.
- Check the pilot light to ensure it is burning brightly and steadily.
- Perform combustion analysis and adjust the air-to-fuel ratio of the burner.
- Inspect the heat exchanger looking for cracks.
Ductwork checks and cleaning
As part of your fall HVAC maintenance routine, it’s also a good idea to take a look at your ductwork. Over time, your ductwork can become clogged with dirt, and dust, which can not only reduce the efficiency of your system but also potentially lead to health issues for you and your family.
A duct cleaning expert will also check for physical damage to the ductwork which can lead to air leakage.
Leave it to the professionals
During your fall inspection and maintenance tasks, you may come across a problem or issue that needs to be fixed. In some cases, it may be something small that you feel comfortable taking care of on your own, such as the above-mentioned air filter change or a thermostat programming. In other cases, it may be a larger issue that is best left to our team of trained professionals.
If you’re ever unsure about whether or not you can handle a given repair or maintenance task, err on the side of caution and give us a call. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your HVAC system.
It is not too late to sign up for our Advantage Plan Membership. You can schedule online or call us with any questions – (301) 719-3315