Your home’s HVAC system needs some attention after a hot summer. Discover why early fall is the perfect time for HVAC maintenance and what this seasonal checkup involves.
Useful HVAC Maintenance Tips
Reconsider Thermostat Settings
While programmable thermostats can help you save energy and lower utility bills, it’s crucial to plan ahead. Before the summer’s heat starts to fade, it’s wise to optimize your thermostat settings for the upcoming fall season.
The key is to set your thermostat in a way that maximizes comfort during the day while conserving energy. During daylight hours, aim for a temperature of around 56°F (13°C). This setting allows everyone to stay cozy while also reducing heating expenses by up to 15% throughout the year.
Even though chilly weather may arrive unexpectedly, there’s no need to rush to raise the heat if you’ve already programmed your thermostat for comfort and energy efficiency.
Change Your Air Filter
To maintain good indoor air quality, it’s generally recommended to change your air filter every 60-90 days. However, this guideline might not fit every situation. Given the prolonged use of air conditioning during the summer, it’s wise to switch out the filter every 30 days.
Remember, an air filter’s job is to capture pollutants, dirt, and debris from your indoor air. Over time, a filter becomes less effective at trapping these pollutants. A clogged filter can also put extra strain on your HVAC system, causing it to work harder to cool your home.
No matter how often you’ve changed your air filter over the summer, it’s a good practice to replace it in the fall. This simple step ensures that your HVAC system continues to filter out allergens and pollutants that tend to appear during autumn, providing you with clean and fresh indoor air.
Although most homeowners don’t perform maintenance on their HVAC systems, it’s still essential to inspect them regularly to identify potential issues and ensure they’re in good working condition.
Check for loose connections and components that might have come undone, as poor electrical connections can lead to system inefficiency. Additionally, examine your air conditioner’s condensate drain to make sure it’s clean and dry. If you notice blockages, clogs, or mold growth caused by moisture, it’s advisable to contact a professional promptly.
While these may seem like minor issues, an HVAC system affected by electrical problems, blockages, or mold can operate inefficiently and compromise indoor air quality. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional for maintenance if you detect anything unusual during your inspection.
Clean the Outdoor Unit
Leave the more complex outdoor maintenance tasks to the professionals, but there are some steps you can take, starting with cleaning the outdoor unit.
While landscaping around your outdoor unit is fine, ensure that no bushes, shrubs, or flowers come into direct contact with it. Give the condenser (or unit) a clearance of two to three feet to accommodate growth and prevent debris accumulation. Trim any trees or bushes that might encroach on this space.
When mowing your lawn, be careful not to leave grass clippings on the unit, and promptly brush them away if it happens. As fall approaches, make it a habit to regularly clear the condenser of any fallen branches or leaves.
Once you’ve turned off your air conditioner for the season, you can further protect the outdoor unit by investing in a condenser cover. This cover helps prevent leaf buildup and protects the unit from damage caused by snow or ice. By covering your unit, you reduce the likelihood of needing extensive HVAC maintenance when the next season rolls around.
Check the Startup & Shutdown Controls
Fall’s fluctuating temperatures may require you to switch between your furnace and air conditioner. Therefore, it’s essential to know how to shut down and restart your HVAC system quickly. Do this as part of your HVAC maintenance routine.
To test the controls, adjust the settings on your programmable thermostat. Manually set the thermostat to activate the heating system and then observe if it starts up. After it has run for a while, adjust the thermostat settings to turn off the heating system.
The next part of HVAC maintenance is to test the cooling system. If either the heating or cooling system fails to start, shut down, or operate as expected, it’s advisable to contact an HVAC technician for additional maintenance or repairs.
Schedule Preventive Maintenance
Discovering that your system requires significant repairs can be frustrating. A preventive maintenance agreement, however, can ease the burden of both HVAC maintenance and repairs.
This type of maintenance agreement focuses on proactive measures. An experienced technician conducts comprehensive inspections of your HVAC system every spring and fall, performing maintenance, repairs, updates, and adjustments to keep it running smoothly. The HVAC contractor in North Myrtle Beach checks control systems, examines wires, lubricates moving parts, and verifies refrigerant levels, among other tasks.
In addition to filter changes, this maintenance agreement ensures that your HVAC system operates correctly, maintaining optimal performance. The two annual checkups guarantee that your system works flawlessly, even during late fall. Moreover, you can accumulate points toward system upgrades, allowing you to take advantage of energy-efficient HVAC improvements when needed.
Get a Home-Energy Audit
Early fall is an excellent time to schedule a home-energy audit to understand your seasonal energy requirements and address any local energy efficiency concerns. You can either arrange for a professional energy audit or perform a DIY energy assessment.
Begin with a walkthrough of your home to locate air leaks. Inspect areas like baseboards, doors, and windows for drafts or leaks, sealing any gaps or cracks with weatherstripping or caulk. Assess the insulation in your home, particularly in the attic, to ensure you have the right amount and that it includes a vapor barrier to prevent moisture entry.
For a comprehensive energy audit, hire a professional energy auditor who will not only offer expert advice on insulation and air leaks but also utilize advanced technology to pinpoint problematic areas. Thermographic inspections reveal hot and cold spots indicative of air leaks, while blower-door tests assess your home’s airtightness and identify drafty areas or ventilation issues. A professional energy audit can lead to significant energy savings and is well worth considering.
If you require assistance with your HVAC system, don’t hesitate to contact North Myrtle Beach Heating & Air at 843-399-3237 for support.
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North Myrtle Beach Heating & Air
1001 2nd Ave N
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
843-399-3237
https://www.northmyrtlebeachheatingandair.com/
Serving: North Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Landing, Little River, Longs, Cherry Grove