When it comes time to put away your shorts and T-shirts and face colder weather, your air conditioner will get a break from the summer heat. The coming of fall also means that it's time to use your heating system, rather than the air conditioning. But, before you turn on your heating system, it's important to get your system ready for the fall. Our experienced HVAC technicians at Bloomington Heating & Air have put together this guide on ways you can prepare your HVAC system for the coming of these colder months.
Contact our HVAC company today to learn more about HVAC energy efficiency or schedule air conditioning service!
Check & Clean Condenser Coils
Before you start to feel the cold weather, it is important to check and clean your outside condenser unit. To do this, first, turn off power to the unit and spray down the condenser with a hose, then pull back the fan and remove any debris. If the coils are dirty, they can be cleaned with a rag with warm water and a mild detergent. These can be a little difficult to clean, so we recommend contacting a professional if you need help.
Clear Away Debris
While the falling leaves may look beautiful, they can often build up around the outdoor compressor, along with other debris, which can impede proper airflow. Clearing away this debris prevents leaves and dirt from getting on the unit's coil or inside the unit. In addition, we recommend cutting back any tall grass or bushes that are within two feet of the outdoor unit.
Replace Air Filters & Clean Vents
As you'll probably be spending more time indoors in the fall and winter, changing your air filter almost every month is even more important. Make sure that the replacement air filter has the correct minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV rating) for your unit, as a rating that is too high can make your unit work harder, reducing efficiency while increasing your utility costs.
Run The Heat
You may be familiar with the burnt smell that can come from your heater when you turn it on for the first time for fall. This smell is caused by dust inside the heating components being burnt away. While this won't impact the health of your heating system, it is a good idea to give your heater a test run. This test run can also determine if you need any HVAC maintenance. If it doesn't turn on, we recommend getting your heater repaired so that you are all ready for the winter months.
Conduct Regular Maintenance
You may have heard the saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure," which is true when it comes to your home's HVAC system. With regular maintenance, potential problems can be found before they become more costly repairs. Bloomington Heating & Air offers a comprehensive planned maintenance program that includes discounts on repairs and routine maintenance.