Time to start thinking about heating season! We know that may sound crazy, but fall and cooler weather are just around the corner. Follow these end-of-summer HVAC maintenance tips to help prepare your home for the season change.
Perform a DIY Condenser (Outdoor) Unit Cleaning
After working hard all summer, your A/C condenser unit deserves (and needs) a good cleaning. Be sure to cut power to the unit for safety, and then follow these steps:
- Clean obstructions and debris (i.e. dirt, leaves, grass trimmings, twigs, etc.) from the exterior.
- Remove the fan cage and do the same for the interior.
- Spray the fins with a hose to wash away any debris. Use fin-cleaning spray from the hardware store for extra-dirty fins.
- Carefully straighten any bent fins using a butter knife or fin-straightening tool.
- Reattach the fan cage and ensure the unit is clear of obstructions.
Don’t want to DIY? Give us a call and one of our expert HVAC technicians can handle it for you.
Change the Air Filter
Clean air filters help keep your HVAC unit protected from dust/debris and running at peak performance. Change (or clean if re-useable) the filter and remember to do so monthly.
Provide Clean Air Flow
Air filters collect dust and debris before they enter the HVAC unit, but these irritants also settle in other spots around your home and disrupt air quality and flow. Be sure to dust and clean any buildup on air and dryer vents, ceiling fans, exhaust fans, and electric baseboard heaters. Pollutants also settle in your ductwork over time, and it’s recommended to schedule professional duct cleaning every three to five years.
Check for Strange Odors/Sounds
Unfamiliar sounds and odors from your HVAC system should not be ignored as they can indicate mechanical issues, leaks, and other problems. Check around your system, including vents and the exterior unit, and contact your local HVAC specialist ASAP should you notice anything out of the ordinary.
Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
It’s easy to forget about smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors until they start beeping, and now is the perfect time to check and clean them. Try to make a habit of testing smoke and CO detectors weekly and cleaning them at least once a month. Check the date, too: Smoke detectors generally need replacing every ten years, and CO detectors every five.
Seal any Window Gaps
Gaps around windows let cool air escape and warm air enter in the summer (and vice versa in the winter), which decreases HVAC efficiency and increases energy bills. Use your hand to check around windows for drafts and seal any leaks with caulk.
Summer 2020 may have been unlike any other, but it’s still hard to believe it’s almost over. As we prepare for fall and cooler weather, use these end-of-summer HVAC maintenance tips to get your home ready for the season change.
Want to stay ahead of the game? Schedule preventative maintenance service for your home heating system today. And for all your residential HVAC and electrical needs, trust the experts at Stafford Home Service Inc.
Contact us for more information or to request service.
