Fall is the best time to make sure the heating component of your HVAC is in good shape. You should have a maintenance checklist in place so you can be sure that your system will serve you throughout the fall and into winter. Our technicians recommend that customers address the following concerns with heating systems in the fall.
Filter Replacement
Especially during the cooler and more comfortable months after summer ends, it can be easy to forget about the HVAC entirely. This often leads to filter neglect. Heating systems, particularly furnaces, rely on good airflow to maximize performance and efficiency. Making sure there are fresh filters in the system is a good idea.
If it has been more than three months since you last replaced the HVAC’s filters, the time to do so is now. Also, your furnace likely has a fiberglass or pleated filter of its own, so replace it. Be sure to get the appropriately rated filter for your system. Many furnaces use low-MERV filters that catch things like lint and hair but don’t serve to filter finer particles. This maximizes airflow.
Similarly, you should be aware of the need for filter replacements for any attached indoor air quality systems. If you have an air purifier integrated into your home’s ductwork, make sure it has fresh filters for the fall. Once you start closing windows and doors during cold weather, filtering for indoor air quality becomes much more important.
Safety Testing
Our technicians prefer to perform safety testing annually on all heating systems. Especially if your system uses burners, you want to be confident that the burners are in good shape. Humidity over the summer can encourage corrosion even on newer burners. Likewise, dust can collect in the system. Burners also may slowly clog over the years. An annual check ensures that the burners will operate safely, although cleaning might be necessary.
We also check other components for safety, including gas lines and electrical wiring. Similarly, we will verify that the heating system is pushing the right amount of airflow to do its job. We test for common problems in heating systems, such as loud ignitions that may indicate gas buildup in the chamber.
This is the right time to confirm that safety shutoffs are working properly, too. We check the limit switch to ensure the heating system will shut down if it exceeds a manufacturer-specified temperature. If your system includes a carbon monoxide detector, we will also ensure that it’s still operating properly.
Lubrication
Typical heating systems have a decent number of moving parts. Lubrication keeps these components moving freely and operating quietly. This improves system efficiency. Most heating units have blower motors with belt drives, and there may also be fans in the ductwork to aid airflow. Similarly, dampers require lubrication.
System Calibration
Over time, heating systems can fall out of calibration. For example, a thermostat could end up surprisingly far off the target temperature. We try to keep most thermostats within two degrees of the target temperature to maximize comfort on cold days.
This is also a good time for testing communication between the thermostat and the heater’s control system. If there are communication failures or delays, fall is the time to fix them.
Sight Inspection
We use scopes that allow us to perform sight inspections of all the parts of a heating system, including the tight spots. We verify that there are no cracks, holes, or corrosion in the heat exchanger. The flue pipe can also develop rust or holes, and loose joints may leak exhaust into the house. We will verify that the pipe has unobstructed flow, too.
The flame sensor is another area of concern. It verifies that the pilot flame is operating at a high enough temperature to be safe. We will clean any carbon buildup from the sensor. Also, we will verify that the burner’s flame is blue with very little yellow, a sign that the burner is running efficiently.
This is a good time to check the condensate drain. Mold can grow in the drain, and a flush is sometimes necessary.
Avalon Air Heating & Cooling performs installation, repair, and maintenance work for customers in Pensacola, FL and the Alabama Gulf Coast. Our business has served the community with pride since 2005. We take calls seven days a week, and you can rely on us to be thorough in all our efforts.
If your Pensacola home heating system is due for fall maintenance, contact Avalon Air Heating & Cooling today. Be sure to ask us about our Avalon Advantage Care Plan!
