General HVAC Upkeep Tips for the Fall Season

As the Utah weather turns from the dry heat of summer to the eventual bitter cold of winter, residents around the state are looking to ensure that their furnace and other important HVAC components are prepared for the changing seasons. Fall is an important time for this sort of transition, just like spring is for the flip side of the coin.

At Dick Kearsley Service Center, we're here to help. We provide a comprehensive range of heating and air conditioning services to clients around the state, including furnace services to help make sure your space is prepared for the upcoming cold season. What are some simple themes that residents should be looking at with regard to their HVAC system this fall, whether on their own or with our help? Here are several to consider.

Check the Outdoor AC Unit

While part of the fall approach for your HVAC system involves looking forward to the upcoming winter, another chunk also includes looking back at how the summer went. This is especially true for your outdoor AC unit, which took the brunt of the warm weather work this past season. As such, it's important to give it a good once-over as we head into fall. This includes:

• Inspecting the unit for any visible damage
• Clearing away any debris or overgrowth that may have accumulated around it
• Testing it to make sure it's still in good working order

These are all things that our experts can take care of for you as well, so don't hesitate to give us a call if you need assistance. This is a very important area that should not be glossed over -- just because your AC is not being actively used right now does not mean it can be neglected, and leaving problems unaddressed will only serve to worsen them the next time you need to use the AC.

Change Your Filters

This is a good HVAC tip for any season, but it's especially important as we transition from one to the next. Your furnace will be working overtime in the coming months, so you want to make sure that its air intake is as clean and unobstructed as possible. This means regularly changing your HVAC filters, which you should be doing every 1-3 months anyway. This is a simple process that anyone can do on their own, and it will make a big difference in how efficiently your furnace runs this winter.

Check and Consider the Thermostat

Fall is also a season where you'll be changing some important settings on your thermostat, and this is also a good excuse to inspect and clean it as needed. As the weather gets cooler, you'll want to start gradually transitioning your thermostat settings down from the summertime highs. This will help get your furnace ready for more regular use, and also give you a chance to make sure that the thermostat itself is still in good working order.

If it's not, now is a good time to invest in a new one. Smart thermostats are all the rage these days, and they can save you a lot of money on your energy bills over time. They're also relatively easy to install, so if you've been thinking about making the switch now is a great time to do it.

Vent and Register Cleaning

Over the long summer we've just been through, it's possible that dirt, dust, lint and other debris have found their way into your vents and registers. This is a problem because it can impede airflow and make your furnace work harder than it needs to, which wastes energy and drives up your heating bills. As such, it's a good idea to clean out your vents and registers as we head into fall.

This is something our experts can help with if needed, especially if it's been several years since you had them cleaned. We have the tools and experience needed to get the job done quickly and efficiently, and we'll also be on the lookout for any other potential problems while we're in there.

Check the Condensate Drain Line

Another area we're happy to assist with if needed is your condensate drain line. This is a small but important component of your HVAC system, and if it becomes clogged it can cause all sorts of problems. Most notably, it can lead to water damage in your home as the excess condensate backs up and spills out.

Fortunately, this is something that's relatively easy to prevent with some regular maintenance. Simply pour a cup of bleach down the drain line once a month or so, and this will help keep it clear and free-flowing. Of course, if you're not comfortable doing this yourself our experts can take care of it for you as well.

Professional Inspection and Tune-Up

Finally, one of the best things you can do for your furnace (or any other HVAC component) is to have it professionally inspected and serviced on a regular basis. This is something we recommend at least once a year, and ideally before the start of winter when your furnace will be working the hardest.

During a professional inspection, our experts will thoroughly clean and tune your furnace to help ensure that it's running as efficiently as possible. We'll also be on the lookout for any potential problems that could cause issues down the road, and can often fix them before they become major repairs.

Contact us today at Dick Kearsley Service Center to schedule your fall furnace inspection, and we'll make sure that your home is ready for the cold weather ahead!