Are These Tasks on Your Fall HVAC Maintenance List?

Spring isn’t the only season for housecleaning and HVAC maintenance. In fact, it’s to your benefit to get your home ready for the heating months during the fall season’s milder weather. Setting aside a day to scratch off tasks on your fall HVAC maintenance lists will save money and make your home safer and more comfortable without being too stuffy.

Fall HVAC Maintenance

Most of your fall HVAC maintenance tasks are going to be inside your home. Check the following tasks with your list:

• Filter: Check your furnace filter and change or clean it as needed. Continue to check the filter once a month through the heating months to protect vital HVAC equipment.
• Sealing: Drafty windows and doors should be sealed with weatherstripping and caulk. Remember to seal the attic hatch and check fireplace glass for proper closure and seal.
• Insulate: If you use fiberglass insulation in the attic, it should be at least 15 inches deep. Check for mold spots and replace contaminated portions. Dirt streaks indicate air leaks. Use heat-resistant caulk or a can of spray-in foam for sealing.
• Ceiling fans: Ceiling fans aren’t only for the cooling months. Reverse the direction of ceiling fans so that airflow is pulled up to the ceiling. This helps distribute heated airflow evenly.
• CO and smoke: Install fresh batteries in CO and smoke detectors.
• Humidifier: Pour a 50/50 bleach and water solution into the trough of your whole-home humidifier. Swap out the media filter (or clean it if it’s the ceramic mesh type).
• Housecleaning: Wash all bedding to mitigate dust mites. Vacuum furniture upholstery and curtains.
• Professional maintenance: Schedule professional HVAC maintenance to make sure your furnace is operating efficiently and safely. Ask your HVAC technician to inspect the air ducts for leaks. Leaky ducts contribute to higher energy bills, poor indoor air quality, and uneven temperatures.

At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.

Photo Credit: hlkljgk via Compfight cc