What Fall Maintenance Does an HVAC System Require Each Year?

Fall is one of the best times of the year for HVAC maintenance. The weather is neither too hot nor too cold for the comfort of workers. Many HVAC companies experience fall as a slow time, and it may not only be easier to hire a technician, but the cost of maintenance might be lower than it is at busier times of the year. Here are some types of necessary fall HVAC maintenance.

Check Your Furnace

Few things are more disconcerting than having your heating go out on the coldest night of the winter, so fall maintenance of your furnace is a must. The HVAC technician does an overall cleaning of the appliance and checks for cracks, leaks, or corrosion. The technician will also check the motor, burner, pilot light, controls and sensors, heat exchanger, and ignition pins and perform troubleshooting if necessary. They’ll change air filters and make sure fans, blowers, and belts are in good shape. They’ll also make sure that the area around the furnace is clear of any flammable material and make sure the thermostat is working the way it should. Checking your furnace is a great idea, you should check it on a regular basis to make sure there aren’t any problems with it. Also, you should be changing out your furnace air filter every 3 months. 

Check Ducts and Pipes

The HVAC professional also checks the ductwork, if you have any. They’ll check for leaks, repair them if they’re found, and make sure that the vents that bring and return your heated or cooled air are free of obstructions. The technician insulates your ductwork if it lacks insulation and has the ducts cleaned. You may need to hire a duct-cleaning professional certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association to do this. The HVAC professional will also test the air pressure inside the ducts. Checking your ducts and pipes is incredibly important to make sure there aren’t any debris, dirt, or cobwebs inside of any of them. This is something that’s simple to do, so be sure to check it regularly, especially when doing yearly maintenance.

Air Conditioning Services

Though homeowners believe that their air conditioning, whether central, mini-split ductless, or window unit, should be checked in the spring before the cooling season, it’s fine to look into air conditioning services in the fall. The technician drains pipes and lines to make sure that water doesn’t stand in them and possibly freeze and damage them. They’ll clean the coil, check the level of refrigerant and make sure that pulleys, belts, and fans are in good shape. As with your heating unit, they’ll make sure that the area around your air conditioning condenser is free of debris.

Whenever you decide to have it done, HVAC maintenance is necessary to keep your HVAC system working safely, efficiently, and for a long time. Yet, many homeowners and HVAC contractors agree that of all the times of the year, fall is the best time to have your system checked out.