Fall Maintenance Tips To Prevent The Need For Heating And AC Repair | San Antonio, TX
The changing seasons, in addition to the cooler temperatures, offer the perfect opportunity to schedule HVAC maintenance to ensure you are ready for the coming months. Seasonal maintenance grants the opportunity to prevent excessive heating and AC repair costs.
During fall, a technician can inspect both heating and ventilation systems to make sure they work properly before the switchover. Seasonal maintenance not only helps to lower your energy bills but also maintains healthy indoor air quality inside your home. It can also prevent equipment from breaking down, especially in extreme outdoor temperatures.
A seasonal tune-up will ensure your HVAC system is ready for colder months. There are several maintenance activities that you can do in fall, to ensure that your furnace is in top shape for the coming cold weather. These are the most common tasks that will help prevent heating and AC repair during winter:
Clear Debris
San Antonio, TX. residents often have heat pumps or air conditioners outside their homes. Fall is the best time to inspect for debris that may have built up during the summer. Leaf drops often occur throughout October, so it’s important that semi-regular clearing of freshly dropped leaves is undertaken by all homeowners to prevent reduced performance and damages. Clearing debris can help ensure that outdoor units have adequate airflow to provide peak performance when you require it.
Clean Your Home
Everyone’s heard of a spring-clean, but a deep clean is also useful in the latter part of the year, just as the seasons are changing to cooler weather. But you may wonder what housekeeping has to offer in terms of preventing heating and AC repair calls? Fall is a great time to do a deep cleaning of your home because it will reduce the amount of dirt, dust, and debris that is cycled through your HVAC system during winter.
Check Thermostats
One of the most common reasons an HVAC technician will receive a callout during winter is a faulty thermostat. When the thermostat is fully operational, it should easily adjust to keep you comfortable when the temperature drops. A correctly calibrated thermostat will prevent your heat pump or air conditioner from working too hard and will save you money on heating and cooling. Your thermostat could be old, not level, unclean, have program defects, dead batteries, or an improper installation. A heating and AC repair service can identify and resolve any issues.
Change Filters
It is worth changing your HVAC filter every few months if it has been awhile. This is especially important if you have allergies or people with asthma who live in your San Antonio, TX, home. This is one of the easiest ways to ensure your HVAC equipment runs smoothly and efficiently in the winter months.
Contact Your Local HVAC Professionals
Some essential maintenance tasks and HVAC systems (especially gas-powered furnaces) will require the skills of highly trained technicians to avoid accidental heating and AC repair. Professionals at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain + HVAC of San Antonio will inspect every aspect of your HVAC equipment and make sure it is working properly during a seasonal inspection. Common tasks during a fall inspection include:
- Check thermostat settings
- Replace air filters
- Inspect safety settings
- Lubricate moving parts, such as motors
- Inspect ductwork for leaks
- Clear ductwork debris
- Ensure there’s no restricted airflow
- Tighten electrical connections
These are the four best ways to prepare your HVAC unit in time for fall:
Firstly, seal any air leaks. This is the best way to prevent drafts and energy waste while your furnace is in operation. Aluminum tape or mastic can be used to seal any leaking ductwork. Caulk can also be used for sealing doors and windows. It is recommended that you rely on a professional to seal leaks during a heating and AC repair service.
Secondly, schedule an annual maintenance inspection. This is the best way to prepare your furnace for fall. An experienced professional will inspect your furnace and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that it is running as efficiently as possible. Use a repeat service to ensure that you don’t forget to book in your next appointment.
Thirdly, you need to make sure that you replace or clean all air filters. Dirty filters in your furnace or air conditioner can cause a variety of problems, including a decrease in heating and cooling efficiency. It is important to change the filter in your AC conditioner before it requires a heating and AC repair callout. Despite furnaces being shut off for a good chunk of the year, you will need to make sure that you inspect, maintain, and replace its air filter at regular intervals to ensure smooth operation throughout the winter.
Lastly, make sure to check all alarms and detectors. Your and your family’s safety is paramount. The United States Fire Administration recommends that smoke alarms be replaced every ten years. If you’re unsure about the date they were last replaced check the label on the alarm. To ensure they work properly, you can also push the test button. If the alarms or CO2 detectors are out of date or non-functioning, call a heating and AC repair technician ASAP.
Warning Signs of Impending HVAC Failure
If the thermostat isn’t correctly gauging the temperature in your home, it won’t send the signal to turn on your furnace when needed. Dirty contacts and electrical failures can cause a complete furnace shutdown unexpectedly.
Normal conditions will see your home’s cooling and heating system keep indoors comfortable by running regular cooling and heating cycles. If you notice the cycles becoming more frequent, your San Antonio, TX, home may need professional heating or air conditioning service.
A strange squeaking sound or whistling sound coming from your furnace could indicate a problem with the heat pump or blower. It could also indicate that the blower or its housing needs a thorough cleaning or even complete replacement.
To book fall maintenance, heating and AC repair, call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain + HVAC of San Antonio.
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