The beautiful autumn colors are gracing the trees and the cool breezes are beginning to blow. Welcome to fall! In addition to all the other home preparations you might need to do, it’s important to remember to take proper care of your HVAC system this time of year. When you’re ready to switch from cooling to heating, take a moment to run through this fall HVAC checklist.
1: Assess Your AC
Does your air conditioner need any service before it lies forgotten for many months? It’s always better to have repairs or an AC checkup done sooner rather than later, so if there are any concerning sounds or smells, or if your air conditioner just hasn’t been working as well as you’d like, schedule service.
2: Turn the Air Conditioner Off
We don’t simply mean to switch your thermostat from the “cool” setting. We mean that the air conditioner itself should be totally shut down. To do this, go outside and find the switch near the outdoor unit. It’ll be under a plastic cover which you can flip up. Turn the switch to “off” to protect the system and to avoid electrical hazards.
3: Clean the Outdoor Unit
Use a hose—gently, not with a high-pressure nozzle—to rinse away any dirt or mess that is on the outdoor unit. Make sure it is completely dry before moving on to step 4 of the checklist.
4: Cover the Outdoor Unit
This time of year, it’s easy to find AC condenser-unit covers at most hardware or home supply stores. The specialized covers are a perfect fit and are ideal for the job, but you can also wrap the unit yourself with a tarp or heavy plastic. Secure it tightly so it won’t flap or blow away. This will protect the unit from anything and everything that might occur during the winter.
5: Consider Your Ducts
Is your house excessively dusty, especially when your HVAC system is in use? Have you noticed any unpleasant smells? Has it been years since you’ve had your ducts cleaned? Fall is the perfect time for duct cleaning, so you can have the freshest possible air during the season when your home is most tightly closed up.
6: Schedule Heating Maintenance
It’s important to make sure that your heating system gets some attention before you need to use it during the first cold snap of the fall. Make sure to schedule maintenance, which will help with efficiency and effectiveness as well as giving you the peace of mind of knowing that the heat will come on properly as soon as you need it. Perhaps most importantly, heating maintenance will also ensure your safety.
7: Sit Back and Relax
Now that you’ve done everything necessary with regard to your HVAC in Grand Rapids, MN, you can put on your cozy winter socks, make a hot cup of tea, and sit back to enjoy the beauty of the season!
Reach out to Mesaba Heating & Air Conditioning today. Service to you is success to us!