The scent of pumpkin spice is in the air and Fall is officially here! Can you believe it?! As the seasons change, it’s helpful to do some quick maintenance to ensure your heating system runs smoothly during the colder months.
You don’t want to be caught unprepared, especially during the middle of Winter. A bit of prep work now can prevent headaches and potentially costly repairs down the line. Now is the perfect time to begin to prep your HVAC system for the Winter season. Here are a few helpful tips to get you started:
1. Change the Air Filter
This is probably the most important do-it-yourself item that will keep your furnace operating efficiently and ensure the air circulating through your home is clean. Plus, a dirty filter allows for dirt buildup in the furnace, which can seriously hamper how the whole system works. A clean filter improves the efficiency of your system and decreases energy consumption for a lower utility bill. A clogged and dirty filter is a small issue, but when left unattended, it spells total doom of your HVAC.
RELATED: Why It’s So Important to Change Your Air Filter Regularly
2. Clear the Debris from the Outdoor Unit
Everyone loves beautiful Fall foliage, but fallen leaves can get stuck in your outdoor unit so keep them cleared away during this season. Keeping debris from accumulating will save you repair costs in the long run as well as improve your general air quality. Take an extra step and make sure the shrubbery and plants nearby are trimmed. Also, remember to cut your lawn away from your unit to keep grass pile up away from the system. It’s easy for lawn clippings and other yard waste to accumulate around it. This attracts rodents and other nesting animals, plus the fan could suck in the debris and become clogged or even bend the fan blades.
We know people like to camouflage their outdoor unit with various walls or items, but remember: these can obstruct airflow which is terrible for the HVAC system.
3. Clean Your Vents & Furnace Area
Ensure all the vents in your home are clear of obstructions, such as piles of laundry, furniture, etc. This is especially important for the air intakes and returns throughout your home. Give them a quick dusting and/or vacuum them to get rid of any dust that’s accumulated. Also, make sure you remove items that may have accumulated over the Summer months from around the indoor furnace area.
4. Give Your Furnace a Test Run
Run the heat! You should ALWAYS do this before it gets cold-cold because if there’s an issue, you want to know right away. Usually the first time you turn on the heat in the Fall, it will have a burning smell. But don’t worry…that burnt smell is just dust that’s settled on the heating components over the last few months of being stagnant and it will go away quickly. Worst case scenario, if your heat doesn’t come on, call us so we can get a technician out. This is why you want to give it a test run early in the season.
5. Schedule Preventative Maintenance
Following these tips will help prepare your heating system for the Winter months, along with a proper FALL Preventative Maintenance with Pro-Tech HVAC Home!
With Winter being just around the corner, our HVAC technicians can identify any problems that may occur when switching to warm your home. Having your service done now will also ensure that any necessary repairs can be made before cold weather kicks in. Our Fall Preventative Maintenance includes:
- Check thermostat operation
- Replace customer-supplied filters
- Replace customer-supplied humidifier pad
- Test temperature difference between return & supply
- Check for correct airflow settings
- Clean & adjust burners
- Clean flame sensor assembly
- Test & adjust outlet gas pressure
- Test & adjust operation of safety & operating controls
- Inspect flue pipe & gas valve
- Check for gas leaks
- Test & inspect all wiring & connections
- Check blower motor & amperage draw
- Test carbon monoxide levels
- Turn dampers to heating position
Preventative maintenance will make your HVAC system last longer by catching problems before they do damage to your system. A properly maintained heating system will not only perform better, but also save you money by running more efficiently.
Don’t put off your Fall Maintenance any longer. Learn more about our Preventative HVAC Maintenance plans and contact us today to schedule.
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If you don’t schedule preventative maintenance for your heating system system, it will schedule it for you!
Maintenance Plans
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Pro-Tech HVAC Home offers new installation, replacement, repairs and maintenance of heating and air conditioning systems in the Annapolis area. Our customers rely on us for honest and reliable service for air conditioners, heat pumps, gas furnaces, Mitsubishi systems, and more. We’re happy to answer questions, troubleshoot, and help you choose the best HVAC system for you and your family. We’re always happy to help answer your questions, so please give us a call or send us an email.