Fall HVAC Preparation Tips
Now that fall is in the air, it's time for homeowners to prepare their HVAC system for the season. When the trees start shedding their leaves and HVAC systems switch from cooling to heating, it's essential to take a few precautions to ensure extended use and proper function. Three main factors are simple but powerful. These are maintenance, air filter care, and monitoring energy usage. Read on to learn how these factors can make for a happy, healthy HVAC and a comfortable home.
Proper Maintenance
If there's one thing homeowners do to prepare for fall, it should be proper maintenance. This means having a professional HVAC technician come and perform fall maintenance on the system. There's no substitute for having a professional look at the home system. They do a thorough inspection to ensure everything is working correctly. This can not only help the system function efficiently, but it can also prevent untimely breakdowns or other common issues.
During a fall HVAC tune-up, a technician will clean components, inspect all aspects of the system, and tighten connections and moving parts. Fall maintenance includes cleaning the coils, drain lines, pans, and the outdoor unit. They will also check belts, pulleys, and refrigerant and ensure that the furnace is operating properly. They can also provide homeowners with tips to help save them money during the cooler months.
Caring for Air Filters
Air filters are an integral part of the HVAC system for the system's health and the best indoor air quality. This is why it's important to change air filters at least once every three months. And while this is essential all year round, the beginning months of fall are doubly important because there tends to be more debris in the air than in the summer months. And debris inevitably gets inside the house.
Those homeowners with pets should consider changing their air filters more often, particularly if they have multiple pets. Pet dander can quickly clog air filters, which need to be changed once every eight to ten weeks. It's always good for homeowners to talk to their HVAC tech to determine the best filter change schedule for their particular home and system.
Energy Usage
The last most impactful thing homeowners can do to prepare for fall is monitor their energy usage throughout the season. One can do this in several ways, but the easiest is using a smart thermostat that monitors HVAC energy usage in real-time. But those homeowners without a smart thermostat can also keep track of their usage simply by paying close attention to their energy bills.
By comparing energy costs and usage to previous months and the same months in previous years, homeowners can help determine if their system is operating efficiently. If costs go up, it often indicates something is wrong in the system. But this is not always the case. Sometimes, a little weather stripping or a different type of filter is all it takes to see significant energy savings.
About Barker Heating & Cooling
Barker Heating & Cooling has been serving Livermore, CA, and the Tri-Valley area since 1998. They provide unparalleled customer care, including same-day and 24/7 emergency service. They are fully licensed and insured, and provide up-front pricing for no-surprise services. Call them now for fall HVAC maintenance in Livermore, CA.
