Preparing HVAC System for Fall

Leaves are falling, the temperature is turning, and the cold season is clearly upon us here in Utah. That means several things for savvy homeowners, and one area you’re smart to look at during this fall period before winter hits is your HVAC system and heating processes.
At My Buddy the Plumber, we can lend a hand here. Our heating services include numerous troubleshooting areas, such as checking important areas of the heating system and furnace to ensure they’re ready for the approaching winter. Here are several components we recommend paying attention to as you move down your checklist.

Thermostat

The thermostat is in charge of all HVAC operations throughout the home, so it’s important to ensure it’s working in the right ways and won’t present any issues. This also might be a great time of year to consider a thermostat upgrade – options like programmable thermostats allow you far more versatility and functionality throughout the year. If you’re still using an old manual thermostat in your home, ask our professionals about how a programmable option can bring you and your family more comfort with a lower utility bill.

Air Filters

Another early step in the process should be checking all air filters in the home, primarily those in your furnace itself (many homeowners also install filters in individual air vents). If these filters aren’t changed regularly, they will clog up with dust and other contaminants and will not properly filter your air. This can lead to aggravation of asthma and allergy symptoms, but even in homes where no one has these conditions, it can also lead to a significantly higher utility bill as the furnace works harder and harder.

Air Ducts

When we mention air ducts, we’re mostly thinking about leak issues. Air can escape from even the smallest holes in your ducts, to the point where you might not even be able to see this happening.

In some cases you can identify leaking ducts by listening carefully for air escaping in open areas, or by feeling this air yourself. In others, you may need our professionals to do a basic duct inspection with tools that can tell whether air is being lost. If you’ve noticed a rise in your utility bill recently despite no other issues you’re aware of, ask our experts about whether leaking air ducts might be the cause.

Vents and Airways

When it comes to the actual locations where ducts shoot out air into the home, you’re mainly looking to prevent any blockages that will lower air capacity. Dust and pet hair are common accumulations near vents that might limit this capacity, but even larger items like furniture blocking the vents can do the same thing. Make sure airflow is free and easy for all your vents.

Inspection

Finally, it’s important to schedule regular HVAC maintenance every year – and the fall is a perfect time to do this. Our heating and air professionals can assess several areas of your system that just aren’t possible without our proprietary tools and knowledge, helping ensure you’ll stay warm all winter no matter what.

To learn more about this or any of our HVAC or plumbing services, speak to the staff at My Buddy the Plumber today.