As the sweltering Texas summer begins to leave and the soothing autumn air arrives in Flower Mound, TX, it’s time to think about heating your home. Autumn is a crucial transition period for your home’s HVAC system. Although you might find it tempting to turn your furnace on without preparation, after the long season of non-stop air conditioning, your furnace needs a little TLC before it gets to work.
Some proactive heating maintenance now before temperatures begin to take a nosedive can save you from the frustration and expense of a major breakdown later. Doing this ensures that your home can stay warm all winter long.
At Honest Home Services LLC, it’s our belief that a well-maintained HVAC system is the key to longevity and fewer repairs. While the average homeowner can handle some seasonal maintenance tasks, most require the trained eye of a professional and the use of specialized tools. In this post, we’ll guide you through the process of preparing your system for the change in seasons and getting your HVAC system in tip-top shape before the first chilly night hits.
1. Change the Air Filter
If you’re looking for an easy maintenance task you can do yourself, this is the most important one. Your HVAC system’s air filter is its first line of defense against allergens and dust, dirt, and other debris in your home. During the summer, your AC system worked overtime to trap airborne particles, and the result is likely an air filter dirty enough to restrict airflow. You don’t want a clogged filter because it forces your system to work harder than it needs to. A system that works harder than necessary not only drives up your energy bills but also puts unnecessary strain on its components. It can also play a role in premature replacement.
A clean air filter makes it easier for air to flow and improves efficiency and indoor air quality. We spend more time in our homes in the winter and want to breathe clean air. We recommend checking your filter every month to see if it’s clogged. Most households need to replace the filter every one to three months, depending on the filter type, if there are furry pets in the house, if someone is smoking or vaping indoors, or if a household member has allergies. These types of situations could affect how often the filter gets changed.
2. Clear Debris From Your Outdoor Unit
Your outdoor unit, the condenser, has also worked hard over the summer. While it doesn’t run during the winter, it’s still susceptible to dirt and debris from falling leaves and those last few weeks of yard maintenance. Debris can get into the condenser and block the fins and coils, restricting air flow when you turn your air conditioner on in the spring.
As part of your fall HVAC to-do list, carefully clean around the condenser. It’s also a good idea to clear away any grass or other vegetation around the unit, leaving at least 2 feet of space all the way around. Next, we recommend turning off the power to the outdoor unit. Once you’ve powered it down, use a garden hose to spray down the fins and coils to remove any accumulated debris. If a garden hose isn’t powerful enough to thoroughly clean the condenser, call a professional HVAC technician to do the job right. We have the proper tools and cleaning solutions for these delicate tasks.
3. Test Your Thermostat
Your thermostat is essentially your HVAC system’s brain. You want to make sure it’s operating at its best before you make the switch from cooling to heating your house. As part of your fall maintenance to-do list, take a few minutes to test its functionality. Start by inserting fresh batteries. Next, switch the system mode from Cool to Heat. Set the temperature a few degrees higher than the current room temperature to make the system kick on.
Within a few moments, you should hear the furnace kick on. Do you feel warm air coming from the floor vents? Do you hear any strange noises? Do you smell any unusual odors? It’s normal to catch a whiff of a slight burning smell when the furnace runs the first time or two. This happens when dust has settled on the heat exchanger and is burning off. If the smell persists after a heat cycle or two, you could have a more serious problem.
It’s always a good idea to test your thermostat and turn the furnace on before you need it. Doing this ensures you have plenty of time to address issues and you are not stuck without heat on a cold day.
4. Inspect and Clean Vents and Ducts
Your home’s ductwork moves heated air throughout your home. It’s also one of the most neglected parts of the entire HVAC system. Over time, dust and debris collect inside the ductwork, causing blockages and restricted airflow. Dirty ductwork also contributes to respiratory problems caused by the release of allergens into the air. The dirtier the ductwork, the less efficiently the system works.
This fall, walk around your home and check out all its registers. Remove any visible dust from the registers’ covers. Check to make sure rugs, curtains, furniture, or other items aren’t blocking the vents and impeding airflow. Once you’ve done this, schedule a duct cleaning service. Ideally, you need to have your ductwork cleaned professionally every three to five years to improve system efficiency and your home’s indoor air quality.
5. Schedule an Annual Furnace Tune-Up
A professional tune-up should also be part of your fall maintenance plan. Your furnace benefits from a thorough inspection to ensure its safety and efficiency. Our professional technicians with their keen eyes and expert training can spot potential problems before they become costly repairs and ensure your system is operating at its peak.
During a professional tune-up from Honest Home Services LLC, you can expect a multi-point inspection that includes combustion tests and other tasks:
- Cleaning and inspecting the burner and heat exchanger
- Checking and lubricating moving parts
- Testing electrical connections and components
- Checking the thermostat calibration
- Inspecting the flue and exhaust system
A furnace tune-up is necessary for the longevity of your HVAC system and its continual operation. It ensures that your furnace can handle the demands of winter and can help you avoid emergency repairs on the coldest nights. After a tune-up, you’ll be able to spend more time enjoying the creature comforts of your home than worrying about paying an unexpected repair bill.
Contact Honest Home Services LLC for Your Fall HVAC Needs
As summer turns to fall in Flower Mound, TX, you can count on our experts at Honest Home Services LLC to make sure your home stays comfortable and safe. Our professional tune-ups get your system ready for winter and keep it running smoothly and efficiently. When you need help with your heating system, you can trust our pro team to get the job done right the first time.
Stay warm this winter. Contact Honest Home Services LLC today to schedule your fall furnace tune-up!
