Prepare Your HVAC System for the Fall
Cooler weather is approaching and that means it will soon be time to switch from air conditioning to heating your home. However, simply switching the thermostat from “cool” to “heat” is not enough. You should prepare your HVAC system for the fall to ensure that it runs optimally throughout the autumn and winter. Here are a few things you can do to make sure things are ready for cooler weather.
Maintenance
Just like your car needs to have routine maintenance, your HVAC system is no different.
Most HVAC specialists recommend that you have routine furnace maintenance completed on your system every spring and fall – before it’s time to switch from heating to cooling, and vice versa. Trained HVAC specialists can quickly check your system to ensure that it is run efficiently. If your system is not running at its most efficient, you are wasting energy and money. Get in touch with Weather Crafters and we can schedule routine maintenance for you. Let us take one more thing off your To-Do List.
Filters
An easy way to keep your HVAC running efficiently is to change the filters regularly.
Filters come in a wide range – some need to be changed every 30 days, and others can last for 180 days. It’s important to change the filters accordingly because clean filters allow air to flow through your home easily. Filters that are clogged impede the flow of air, which means, not only does your system have to work harder to move the air, but it is also circulating airborne bacteria, dust, and allergens. Filters that are regularly changed keep the air you breath cleaner. Check the packaging on your filter to see how often it should be changed.
Warm Ups
Your heating system has sat idly in your home since last spring, and it will need a few hours to get back into the swing of things. So whenever you are ready to turn the heat on inside, put it on a lower setting than you normally would, just for the first few hours. This will help you prepare your HVAC system for the fall. This allows your HVAC system time to warm up, without overworking itself. All you need to do is put on an extra layer of clothes for a few hours. Once the system has been running for a bit, feel free to bump it up a few degrees to a more comfortable temperature.
Upgrades
The average lifespan of an HVAC system ranges anywhere from 10 to 20 years. If your system is getting older, it is really important to have an HVAC specialist complete routine maintenance. They can make sure the system is running well, and spot any potential problems. If your system is in need of repair, a specialist can help you determine whether it is time to replace or upgrade your current system.
Putting in a new system is usually less expensive in the fall because contractors are generally less busy in the fall, so they will probably charge less for an install than they would to do the same job during the busy summer season.
Check the Thermostat
Lowering the thermostat one or two degrees below your usual desired temperature can save energy and money. Every degree lowered saves your household about 2% on monthly utility bills. While that may not seem like much, it does add up over the months and years. It will also save you money by extending the life of your HVAC unit. The less work your system has to do, the longer it will live. Save money and still stay warm by pulling on a comfy sweater, or wearing slippers in the house.
Leaks
Another aspect of routine HVAC maintenance is checking for leaks in the system. Your system works hard to keep your home comfortable, and if heated air is escaping from the air ducts, it is a big waste. Not only can heated air leak inside your home, but also outside. If you have poorly sealed windows or doors, warm air will rise, causing cold air to be sucked in from outside. Prepare your HVAC system for the fall by taking care of these issues. Trained specialists can quickly check for leaks in the ducts, windows, and doors of your home. They will make sure your system is working efficiently, and help you correct any issues they find.
It is important to get ready for the cooler weather, especially by preparing your home’s heating system. At Weather Crafters we have a lot of experience with HVAC systems. Whether you just have a question for us about your unit, or if you want to schedule routine maintenance, we are more than happy to help. Give Weather Crafters a call!
For more information about how to prepare your HVAC system for the fall, check out https://www.directenergy.com/blog/preparing-home-hvac-system-fall/
