The fall season has arrived and now it is time to change the settings on your HVAC unit. In the fall, temperatures begin to drop, and running your HVAC system can leave you feeling like you need the heater in the mornings but the AC in afternoons. In this blog post, we take you through some of the key tips you need to follow in order to run your HVAC in the fall while keeping energy efficiency and performance in mind.
Our tips are designed to help you become more energy efficient, reduce your HVAC expenses, and have a toasty home in the cool fall season. To learn more tips for running your HVAC efficiently in the fall or to schedule your annual fall maintenance service in St. Louis, contact the heating and air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons today.
5 Tips to Have a Powerful and Efficient HVAC in the Fall
1. Keep the AC On, but Change the HVAC Thermostat Settings
You might think that the beginning of fall is when you need to switch off the AC and turn on the furnace. But in the Midwest climate, this is not quite true.
Ideally, we recommend that you keep track of the temperature and wait until the weather outside falls below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, before switching off the AC and turning on the furnace. While the afternoon temperatures can still be warm, we suggest you keep the AC on but change the thermostat settings to a warmer temperature (say, 72 degrees – 74 degrees). That way, your home will be cool during the days, but warm enough during the nights, to help you through the seasonal transition.
You can also use the thermostat’s timer settings once the fall season is underway, to turn off your AC after a specific duration of time or when it reaches a certain temperature indoors. That way, you do not waste energy on the AC, while also keeping your home at the exact temperature you prefer during the fall season.
2. Fix Damaged Ductwork to Avoid Drafts in the Fall
Your ductwork can get leaky over time due to wear and tear. Before fall, we suggest that you get your ductwork fixed to prevent the house from becoming drafty. Plus, drafts can make your furnace work much harder, using more energy resources than needed when running your HVAC in the fall.
3. Reduce the Burden on Your HVAC in the Fall by Turning on the Fan
Oftentimes, the cold weather of the fall season can increase humidity and dampness inside the house. Your HVAC system will need to work overtime to keep mold and mildew from forming. This is why we recommend that you reduce the burden on your HVAC unit and rely on your windows and fans instead – at least during the night. Let natural air currents do their job by ventilating your home and benefit from a dry, clean, and mold-free home.
4. Integrate Your HVAC System with Smoke Detectors and Other Alarms
While some HVAC units come with an alarm or smoke detector, others do not. These are essential for your home, because of how common fire-related incidents are during the fall season. From fallen leaves that act as kindling for accidental flames to flammable Halloween decorations that might be close to HVAC wiring or the furnace, you are vulnerable to many safety issues. Our recommendation is to find out from HVAC professionals, how best to integrate safety alarms or smoke detectors into your HVAC system.
5. Schedule Regular Cleaning of Your HVAC System
During fall, you will experience high shedding of leaves and also rotting of debris as plants and trees go dormant in the cold weather. You may also see pests making hideaways inside the walls, which can affect your vents and ductwork. Regular cleaning of your outdoor unit, air filters, and vents and checking of the ducts and electrical wiring will ensure your HVAC is in good condition to support you through the fall and onwards.
Contact your local HVAC professionals to schedule your annual HVAC maintenance in the fall.
Get in Touch with us Today to Schedule Maintenance for Your HVAC in the Fall
Along with these HVAC maintenance tips, it helps to keep an HVAC professional’s number handy during the fall too, in case you need unanticipated HVAC repairs.
At Galmiche & Sons, we have reputed HVAC professionals, with several years’ experience in HVAC installation, maintenance, servicing, and repairs. We know what homeowners require when it comes to maintaining their HVAC in the fall, and we can help you with anything you need. Our team will visit your property, provide the servicing you need to get fall season-ready, and recommend any installations of new components or a replacement of old HVAC units.
Contact us online or by phone to schedule an appointment with our heating and cooling professionals.
