Fall HVAC maintenance is a vital function to drive home efficiency, comfort, and safety. Your HVAC and interdependent systems need regular care to prepare for the heating months ahead and to recover from the cooling months. Here’s your helpful checklist:
Air Filter
Your HVAC system relies heavily on the air filter. This simple device helps the HVAC system maintain efficient cooling and heating by keeping parts free from dirt and debris. By doing so, the filter also helps prevent early failure, such as a bogged down blower motor and overheated compressor. Maintain your filter each month during peak HVAC usage.
Air Sealing
Your home’s envelope is responsible for minimizing heat gain/loss and keeping you comfortable from the outdoor elements. Additionally, air sealing the ceiling, walls, and floor improves home efficiency and the operation of your HVAC system. Check the following areas for air leakage:
- Ceiling: Inspect your attic for cracks and gaps around piping, cables, recessed lighting, and any other penetrations. Seal these areas and the attic hatch with foam weatherstripping or spray-in foam.
- Walls: Seal drafty windows and exterior doors with foam weatherstripping and caulk. Door sweeps work great to stop under door drafts.
- Floor: A can of spray-in foam works well to seal cracks in the foundation and the walls of your basement or crawl spaces.
Check Insulation
Attic insulation for Yuma area homes should be as high as R-49. If you use cellulose or fiberglass insulation in your attic, check the depth to see if it is 10 to 15 inches respectively. If you need to install more insulation, make sure the additional insulation is less dense than the existing fill, or it will compress your insulation and compromise its R-value.
Professional HVAC Maintenance
Schedule fall HVAC maintenance with your technician to tune-up essential parts and operations, such as coil cleaning, checking the heat exchanger and venting, inspecting electrical components, drainage, and more.
Lastly, install fresh batteries in your CO and smoke detectors. Home safety is paramount. If you have questions about your fall HVAC maintenance checklist, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company for the answers!
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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