Summer is almost over. Soon you’ll switch from running your A/C to running your furnace. However, since your furnace has been sitting dormant for almost a year, it’s important to perform an inspection and general fall maintenance before putting using it again, in order to make sure it’s running efficiently.

The most important thing is to call an HVAC professional to perform your annual tuneup, but there are a few things you can do yourself as well, to get your HVAC system in shape for the coming heating season. Here are a few fall maintenance tips:

Change your filter

When your HVAC filter becomes clogged, less air comes through. Your furnace has to work harder and run longer to heat your home, wasting energy and wearing out your system in the process. Check your filter at the beginning of heating season, then again every month or so, and replace it every three to six months, as needed.

Check your ducts

Another thing that can impede airflow through your home is leaks in your ductwork. Check your ducts for pinhole leaks, tears, places where one section of ductwork has come loose from another, and other damage. You can repair these leaks with metal tape or mastic sealant. Don’t use duct tape, though, as air can leak out from underneath over time, causing energy loss.

Check your thermostat

If your thermostat reads the wrong temperature, it will be difficult to get your home comfortable, and you may end up frequently readjusting it, which can cause stress to the system. Make sure the temperature on the thermostat matches the one in the room, and find the setting that fits your comfort needs.

Clean your house

One thing fall brings is allergens. And the air in your home is much more polluted than the air outdoors. A thorough cleaning at the beginning of heating season can eliminate many of those contaminants, helping your filter to last longer and allowing you to breathe easier.

For more help with fall maintenance, contact us at Powers Heating & Air. We’re Peachtree City’s trusted source for quality HVAC solutions.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.

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