The crisp air of autumn is a signal that it’s time to schedule your seasonal HVAC maintenance. While a homeowner can do some of these chores, it’s a good idea to call your HVAC consultant to inspect your HVAC system for safety and performance issues. In the meantime, while you’re waiting for your inspection, below are some things to get you started on your fall HVAC maintenance checklist.
Homeowner’s Checklist
- If you haven’t made it a habit to change your air filter regularly, start doing so now. Use a good quality air filter that’s rated MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) 8 to 12, and change it every three months—more if your home has dusty conditions or shedding pets.
- Remove all weeds, grass, and any other obstructions that have grown up around your outdoor A/C compressor. Although you should not cover it up completely, you can place a board over the top to keep blowing debris from entering the metal casing. Make sure the unit’s concrete pad is level and unbroken.
- If you have a humidifier, change the wick filter and set the humidistat between 35 to 40 percent. Turn the water supply to “on.” Keeping your home more humid as the outdoor temperature drops will make you feel warmer.
- If you have a reverse switch on your ceiling fans, reverse the direction of the fan blades to clockwise so they will lift up cool air and push warm air down to foot level.
Professional Checklist
When the HVAC technician arrives, make sure the following items are on his or her checklist:
- Turn the system on and test the controls for correct operation, including proper shutdown.
- Check thermostat settings.
- Measure the voltage and current of all motors. Tighten electrical connections and repair them if needed.
- Lubricate moving parts to reduce friction in motors.
- Check the furnace’s gas or oil connections, as well as the gas pressure and burner combustion. Inspect the heat exchanger for leaks.
To discuss your HVAC maintenance checklist with a professional, contact Aggressive Mechanical Contractors. We’ve provided three generations of superior service to residents of Monmouth County, New Jersey and the surrounding area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Monmouth County, New Jersey and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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