Once the fall season arrives, the temperatures begin to drop. Adjusting the climate in your home will ensure you stay comfortable and keep the chill away. As a homeowner, there are a few fall HVAC maintenance tips to follow to avoid potential issues from developing on your property in Hagerstown, MD, during the cold months ahead. Read on to learn more.
Schedule an Inspection
Consider hiring a professional service technician to perform a thorough inspection of the HVAC system to diagnose and remedy any issues. They’ll also be capable of cleaning all of the parts to ensure everything operates efficiently. With an inspection, you can take care of any necessary repairs right away. As a result, you can avoid a serious breakdown later in the season.
Replace the Air Filter
Many people forget to replace the air filter in their HVAC system, which can prevent it from working as efficiently. If the HVAC system has clogs, it can cause the parts to work harder than necessary, leading to excess wear and damage. Continue to replace the air filter every four to eight weeks to ensure you use less energy and don’t spend too much on your electric bill.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
Although it can be easy to set the thermostat and forget about it, the HVAC system can operate more than necessary, which can cause excess wear on the parts. Opt for setting the thermostat lower when everyone is away from the home to reduce the risk of issues and avoid using too much energy.
Installing a smart thermostat can also allow you to have more control of the appliance when you’re at home or are away. Smart thermostats also use less energy because they can learn your heating habits during the colder months of the year. With a smart thermostat, you can enjoy remote accessibility, energy usage reports and flexible pre-programming options.
Keep the Vents Clean
During the summer season, a significant amount of dust and debris can accumulate in the vents of the HVAC system. You can have up to 10 percent of energy loss if there’s as little as 1/100th of an inch of dust present on the blower and coil. You can clean the vents each season to remove any grime that accumulates. As a result, you’ll improve the operation of the appliance and also your air quality.
Keeping the vents clean will also increase the lifespan of the parts because there will be better airflow. The HVAC system won’t have to work too hard to circulate air if there isn’t a lot of dirt present on the vents to avoid using too much energy. Simply use a damp cloth to wipe vents clean and consider scheduling a duct cleaning service this season.
Check the Condensation Line
Pour a mixture of bleach and water through the condensation line to prevent any clogs from forming throughout the season. If you assume there may be a few clogs already present, you’ll need to contact a professional service technician for a service appointment. Attempting to remove the clogs without the necessary training or equipment can lead to damage of the parts. Therefore, it’s necessary to call someone more qualified and with the right tools.
If you want to learn about the necessary steps to take to prepare your HVAC system for the fall season, you can contact our professional team at your convenience. Call Hagerstown Heating & Cooling to schedule an appointment to receive our services when you need help maintaining your HVAC system on your property in Hagerstown, MD. We’ll help you with all your fall HVAC maintenance tasks.
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