Your Fall HVAC Checklist

01 Oct Your Fall HVAC Checklist

Kingsport, TN

It seems hard to believe, but autumn is right around the corner. Does this mean it’s time to flip on the heat at the first break in the mugginess of summer? No. Or, at least, not yet. Now is the perfect time, before the change in seasons, to make sure your HVAC is ready for the winter.

Just follow this fall maintenance checklist, as provided by your top heating/cooling maintenance provider in the Tri-Cities.

1. Change filters. Most HVAC systems contain filters that serve both your heating and cooling systems. Be sure to change those as soon as possible to avoid introducing potentially damaging contaminants into the system. Your seasonal HVAC specialist at Thompson Electrical Service can show you how to change them and how frequently it needs to be done.
2. Check belts and pulleys. Just like your AC unit, your heating equipment has belts and pulleys that control the blower and motor housing. These incur lots of wear and tear over time. Changing or replacing any worn parts now helps to prevent breakdowns and damage to your heating system. These are small but vital parts that, if worn out, can cause you to be without heat during freezing weather. We recommend leaving any part repairs or replacements to an HVAC professional near you.
3. Calibrate thermostats. Make sure your thermostat readings are working properly before the start of the heating season. Reliable heating in your home during potentially frigid winters depends on this.
4. Checking your blower fans, motors, and electrical parts. Parts must be cleaned, lubricated and checked for signs of fault. A fan covered in grime, a sluggish motor, or the simple failure of a wire or electrode can take down your heating system and cause major damage. Make sure your electrical parts and connections are in good shape.
5. Check your duct insulation. Home insulation can become damaged and erode as time passes. When this happens, your soothing heated air can escape before it ever reaches its intended destinations. This, in turn, forces your system to work harder to achieve your desired results. That translates to higher energy bills and unnecessary extra wear and tear on your system.

Of course, some additional, more system-specific checks will be necessary, based on your system. For example, a gas heating system will need the pilot, valves and thermocouples, burner flames, and the condition of your gas line all checked by a qualified HVAC technician to ensure your system is ready to fire up for the arrival of Fall. Oil heating systems require more frequent cleaning and maintenance than gas. You’ll need to check on things like your fuel volume, oil filters, the electric eye safety switch that shuts off the motor if the burner fails, and the color of the chimney smoke. If the smoke is black, the oil isn’t burning completely, which causes wasted fuel and pollution.

Seasonal HVAC Maintenance in Johnson City, Bristol, and Kingsport, Tennessee

Always keep in mind that fall heating maintenance is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Depending on your type of system, how it is fueled, and the specific needs of your home, there may be more specific HVAC maintenance checks that need to be completed as summer slowly fades. So don’t waste another moment and give Thompson Electrical Service a call to take care of your HVAC maintenance needs. We offer regular maintenance plans and our expert HVAC technicians are available for 24-hour emergency services if needed. Find out more or schedule an appointment by calling (423) 343-5726.