Why Fall is the Best Time for HVAC Maintenance
As the season changes from summer to fall here in the Pacific Northwest, the weather typically gets cooler and wetter. In short, fewer people are using their HVAC systems, meaning less demand for HVAC techs.
Plus, with winter right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to make sure your system is running efficiently. This way you can use your heat when you need it most.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at why it’s a good idea to be proactive with your HVAC maintenance come fall!
The 5 Advantages of Scheduling HVAC Maintenance During Fall
Scheduling fall HVAC maintenance offers several benefits. First, it ensures your system is prepared for the colder months ahead.
By focusing on preventative HVAC maintenance, you can address any potential issues before they lead to costly repairs. This ultimately extends the lifespan of your heating system.
Additionally, taking these steps during the fall allows you to maintain HVAC efficiency. Thus, ensuring your home stays comfortable throughout the winter.
Mild Weather Conditions
During HVAC maintenance, you won’t be able to use your system. Imagine not being able to use it on a hot day in summer or a freezing cold day in winter.
That’s no fun at all.
The mild fall weather ensures you avoid the discomfort of being without a system while it's being worked on. This is why Seasonal HVAC maintenance especially in fall and spring are so beneficial.
Preventions of Winter Breakdown
An HVAC technician can help you identify and fix potential issues early on before they become bigger problems down the line. The last thing you want to deal with is a full system breakdown in the dead of winter.
Not only can it leave you and your family uncomfortable, but fixing it will be far more expensive, as demand for emergency repairs is often higher in winter.
Improved Energy Efficiency
One of the main signs that your HVAC system is running inefficiently is higher monthly utility bills. A less efficient system will often draw in lots of dirt, dust, and other airborne particles. These can clog the filter and stop it from doing its job. When your system is unable to breathe like it should, it’ll have to work harder to keep your home warm.
The more stress that’s put on your system, the more you’ll end up spending on energy bills, and the shorter the lifespan will ultimately be.
With fall maintenance, you’ll make sure your system is running at its most efficient during its hardest working time of year.
Enhanced Indoor Air Quality
While there are clearly plenty of financial reasons to get maintenance on your HVAC system in the fall, there’s also one benefit you may not have considered — your health.
According to the EPA, pollutant levels indoors can be anywhere from 2-5 times higher than those outdoors. When you inevitably spend more time at home during winter, you’ll be more exposed to these particulates.
If you or someone in your family suffers from a respiratory disease like asthma, this extra time spent inside could be even more detrimental.
With preventative HVAC maintenance, such as duct cleaning and filter replacement, you can optimize your indoor air quality during the cold winter months.
Extended System Lifespan
It shouldn’t be any surprise that preventative maintenance can extend the life of your system, whether you perform it in the fall, winter, spring, or summer.
Certain parts of a high-quality system need regular checks. These include electrical connections and pressurized lines. These checks are necessary to ensure everything is working properly.
The more your maintain your system, the more efficiently it’ll operate when you need warmth in the winter.
5 Fall HVAC Maintenance Tips
Here are our favorite HVAC service tips for homeowners in Vancouver, Washington and the Pacific Northwest region. These will ensure your systems run efficiently and reliably:
Regularly Replace Air Filters: Change your HVAC air filters every 1-3 month. This will keep your system running smoothly and maintain good indoor air quality.
Schedule Annual Professional Inspections: Have a professional technician inspect your HVAC system annually. Ideally this should be in the fall, to catch any potential issues before they become major problems.
Keep Vents and Ducts Clean: Regularly clean your vents and ducts. This prevents dust buildup that can reduce efficiency and circulate allergens throughout your home.
Check and Seal Ductwork: Inspect your ductwork for any leaks or gaps and seal them to improve efficiency and reduce energy costs.
Maintain a Clear Area Around the Outdoor Unit: Ensure that the outdoor unit of your HVAC system is free from debris, leaves, and plants. Will will allow for proper airflow and efficient operation.
Preparing for Winter
When fall rolls around, we know that winter is right around the corner. If you’re like most Pacific Northwest residents, you likely haven’t run your HVAC during the fall. So, the last thing you want when you flip it back on for the first time in months is a bad surprise.
Prepare HVAC for Winter
To prep you for winter, an HVAC technician will provide you with the following services during a heating system check-up:
Air filter inspection and replacement
Thermostat inspection and calibration for accurate temperature control
Inspection of the burners, ignition, exhaust, and heat exchanger
Inspection of current, voltage, and electrical connections
Bearing and moving part lubrication
In addition to the above maintenance tasks, Miller's Heating and Air technicians will also perform safety inspections on your gas or oil heating system. This is to prevent any hazards in the future.
Professional Expertise and Service
It's important to work with an HVAC technician who is an expert and knows how to deal with repairs and replacements safely and accurately.
Here at Miller's Heating and Air Conditioning, we can help you with everything from a simple refrigerant fill-up to a circuit breaker replacement.
Don’t take a chance on one of the most important elements of your home. Hire a professional who has years of knowledge and experience.
Conclusion
If you’re in the Vancouver or the Portland metro, we are here to help you prepare your system for the cold winter. This way you and your family can take advantage of better indoor air quality and improved energy-efficiency. It will also provide peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to deal with breakdowns during the coldest months.
