Who loves fall? Frolicking through colorful leaves, apple picking, football, and of course our favorite guilty pleasure: pumpkin spice lattes. Besides all of these fun autumn activities, fall is also the best time to clean up your yard and get ready for the inevitable Southwest Michigan winter (yes, as Jon Snow would say: Winter is coming). With that said, you should also take some time to prepare your HVAC system this fall before the snow flies.
Just like you care for your car to keep it running for as long as possible, homeowners who take care of their HVAC systems will get a longer life out of their systems. Plus, performing these simple tasks every fall can save you money in the long-run and the headaches of an untimely breakdown.
Not sure where to start? Below, we have a simple 6-step checklist to show you how to prepare your HVAC systems this fall before cold weather wreaks havoc.
1. Clean your ducts and filters
Cleaning your ducts and filters aren’t solely a fall activity, but as temperatures drop, you can turn on your furnace to discover it’s burning off the dust that has accumulated over the summer. To avoid a smoky smell, and to avoid blowing dust around your home, it’s a good idea to have your ducts and filters cleaned in the fall, especially if it’s been a while.
Generally, it’s recommended that you change your air filter every 30 days and no longer than 90 days to clean or change them to prevent debris from accumulating in them and cycling it back through your ducts. This helps your HVAC system run more efficiently and saves you money on your energy bills as well.
2. Schedule regular HVAC system check-ups with a technician
Just as you should have your air conditioner serviced in the spring before you need it, you should also schedule a furnace check-up with a trusted HVAC company near you in the fall. Nobody wants an inconvenient furnace breakdown on a cold winter day so it’s a good idea to have an HVAC professional examine your furnace thoroughly to prevent any discomfort and a potential expensive breakdown due to lack of regular service.
BOSS Services is currently rewarding homeowners for getting ahead of furnace maintenance early with our Back to School $59 Furnace Exam Special. We will send a BOSS HVAC tech out to your home for a comprehensive check-up, and we will even guarantee your furnace won’t break down all winter, or we will refund the $59 back entirely.
Schedule your $59 Back to School Furnace Exam here:
https://thebossservices.com/back-to-school-furnace-exams/
3. Check your home for blocked vents
This is an easy one: Walk around your home and check to make sure there is no furniture, toys, or anything else blocking the vents. Not only do blocked vents make your HVAC system work unnecessarily harder, it is also dangerous to have something sitting on a hot vent for too long!
4. Turn off your outdoor condenser unit as the temperature drops
Once the weather falls below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you should turn off your outdoor air condenser unit to prevent any damage. This will ensure your system works well each year, which could save you quite a bit in repair costs.
5. Invest in a programmable thermostat to save on energy costs
Investing in a programmable thermostat can be an excellent way to cut utility costs. Homeowners can actually save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat down by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. Some can even be controlled from a computer or smartphone while you’re not at home. You can set your programmable thermostat at an energy-conserving temperature during work hours when you’re away, and then schedule it to be set at a more comfortable temperature shortly before you plan to arrive home.
6. Clean your outdoor condenser unit and the surrounding area
First and foremost, turn off the power before cleaning your unit. We often see leaves from trees clogging up air conditioning unit fans and coils so it’s important to clear it out after the leaves have fallen. Also, don’t let too many leaves and branches pile up around the unit. It’s probably smart to even cut back branches surrounding the unit so they don’t cause any obstruction later. Then, look out for grass clippings that may have gotten in there while mowing or using a leaf blower.
Last of all, most outdoor units are built to withstand extreme temperatures in the winter, and many manufacturers actually don’t recommend covering your unit all winter. Often, when homeowners cover their unit, they will be surprised to find that a rodent has made it their home, wreaking havoc on your unit that can result in an expensive repair.
Need Help Preparing Your HVAC System for Winter?
If you would like one of our HVAC technicians to come to your home for regular maintenance to make sure your equipment is ready for winter, we are happy to help! Also, if you’re not sure your furnace is going to make it through winter, our Comfort Advisors can come out to your home to provide options for a new system completely free of charge if you know that a repair won’t be enough to keep it running efficiently. You can reach us at 269-468-6682 24/7, even on weekends and holidays to set up an appointment.
Like anything expensive in your home, it’s important to take good care of your HVAC systems year round to prevent costly breakdowns. Thankfully, this fall checklist can help to prolong the life of your HVAC unit and keep your family safe and comfortable this winter and for many years to come!
