Prepping for Fall Season | HVAC Maintenance Tips

Everybody looks forward to the end of Indiana’s hot and humid summer as fall rolls around. Fall is the perfect time to ensure your HVAC system is set for the winter to come, but what does your system actually need?

Air-Master Heating & Air Conditioning provides comprehensive HVAC services to Lawrence County’s communities. Below, the team shares its best HVAC maintenance tips as your system makes its seasonal transition from cooling to heating.

Step 1: Replace the Unit’s Air Filters

Dirty or clogged air filters are the single biggest culprit causing HVAC trouble for Indiana residents. A clogged filter will greatly restrict airflow, making your entire heating system work much harder to maintain the thermostat’s temperature. That extra stress multiplies the effects of ordinary wear and tear, leading to premature malfunctions and component failures.

Experts like Air-Master Heating & Air Conditioning recommend cleaning or replacing your HVAC filter every 30 days. A filter replacement at least every 90 days is essential. 

Step 2: Clean Up Debris Around the Outdoor Unit

Autumn means falling leaves, branches, and other debris, as trees and plants prepare for their dormancy period. To protect your outdoor HVAC unit, maintain a clear perimeter of at least two feet wide around it. This ensures there are no obstructions to block airflow or trap moisture near the air intake.

It’s helpful to make this cleanup a regular part of your fall and winter routine as you rake leaves or winterize your sprinkler systems.

Step 3: Schedule a Professional HVAC Tune-Up and Regular Maintenance

Of course, one of the most important HVAC maintenance tips in preparing for fall and winter in Indiana is scheduling a professional tune-up service for ongoing maintenance. A qualified technician can thoroughly inspect, clean, and optimize your system to ensure it will operate efficiently in seriously cold weather. The HVAC professional will also identify issues before they escalate into costly repairs or risk system outages when you’re trying to stay warm.

Regular maintenance involves a multipoint inspection of critical components, like electrical connections, safety controls, and the critical areas listed below.

Check and Adjust Refrigerant Levels

While we usually associate refrigerant with cooling, it’s equally important in your HVAC system’s overall efficiency. A professional checks for low refrigerant levels and tops it up so that your system can work efficiently. 

It’s important to leave this task to a technician – refrigerant is highly toxic.

Clean Coils for Better Efficiency

Dirty coils can overheat the system, causing it to overwork. Besides the higher bills, straining the system will also lead to an increased risk of malfunction or fire hazards.

Coils are delicate and require professional materials and tools for safe coil cleaning.

Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your HVAC includes a gas furnace, effective carbon monoxide testing could be life-saving. 

A maintenance technician will ensure the correct placement and function of all of your detectors, providing peace of mind as you switch your system over to heating mode.

Seal Ducts for Maximum Efficiency

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that leaky ductwork lets 30% of the property’s controlled air escape. Think of the impact on your energy efficiency (and wallet!).

Fall is the optimal time to check for gaps and perform duct sealing, ensuring the warm air you are paying for does not bleed away before it reaches your living space. Keep in mind that duct sealing may involve an additional charge.

Inspect Insulation

Finally, a tune-up technician will look at your property’s insulation. Effective heating and saving money depends on HVAC energy consumption, and insulation plays a key role. 

Windows, doors, and attic spaces need proper sealing against drafts.

Step 4: Check and Adjust the Thermostat Settings

While the tune-up is your biggest ally in fall HVAC maintenance, there’s one last thing to check: the thermostat.

As warm days run into cooler nights, your comfort heavily relies on the thermostat’s accuracy. A professional thermostat calibration and changing low batteries before the winter arrives should prepare your HVAC adequately.

Call Air-Master Heating & Air Conditioning for Full Service HVAC Maintenance

Just a few simple steps can get your HVAC ready for the fall season and cold winter. Follow the HVAC maintenance tips above, and you’ll be cozy.

Why not call Air-Master Heating & Air Conditioning at (812) 279-0509 and schedule your fall HVAC tune-up?