It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing and with the crisp air of fall comes time for the annual fall maintenance routine around your home. While you should always schedule an appointment with your St. Louis heating and cooling specialists, there are some easy DIY actions you can perform today to ensure your furnace is functioning properly.
Take Action! 6 Fall Maintenance Steps You Can Do Yourself
- Replace your air filter – While this may seem common knowledge, an often-overlooked step in your fall maintenance routine should be replacing the air filters in your HVAC system. A buildup of dust, allergens, and debris is common during the spring and summer season, impeding the functionality of your system. This is the time of year when it is more crucial than ever to replace your filter, ensuring clean air quality in your home.
- Remove the danger – With spring cleaning often comes furniture rearranging and the storing of various seasonal items. Similarly, it stands to reason that fall maintenance should include removing any obstacles from the path of your HVAC systems. Blocking your vents will hinder temperature control in your home and can also pose a potential danger to your family. Keep an eye out for any items containing aerosol or gas as they are highly combustible and should not be stored near your furnace or vents.
- Invest in a carbon monoxide detector – This extra step in fall maintenance may seem excessive, but the peace of mind a carbon monoxide detector can provide for your family may be worth the cost. When installing your detector, take extra care to place the unit at least 15 feet away from your HVAC ducts. Any closer may result in false alarms.
- Take a look around – This may be the easiest DIY for your fall maintenance routine. Visually inspect each of your vents, checking for any build of debris that may be blown into the air when you kick your system on for the first time. Replace any missing or damaged components and double check that the entire vent is visible.
- Close your blower door – Your blower motor is the component in your HVAC system that distributes warm air throughout your home. If your blower motor appears to be malfunctioning, be sure to contact your trusted St. Louis HVAC company for an inspection, as intricate wiring and mechanics may need repair. Once you are sure your blower motor is functioning properly, be sure to close the blower door and secure the latch. Poorly secured blower doors can cause damage to your unit and inefficient functionality.
- Vacuum dust and debris – Dust and debris can accumulate in your unit, on and around vent covers, and in ducts. If not properly cleaned, this will be distributed throughout your home when your system turns on. As part of your annual fall maintenance inspection, many companies charge to vacuum out your HVAC system. However, you can save on extra charges and labor costs by removing the debris yourself.
Contact Us to Schedule HVAC Fall Maintenance
Our heating & air conditioning specialists at Gamliche & Sons want to make your fall maintenance routine as simple as possible. For over 60 years heating and cooling has been our business. Let our family help yours this fall season. Call today to schedule your fall maintenance checkup with one of our St. Louis heating and cooling specialists.
