Fall HVAC Maintenance Tips

Whether it’s apple picking or taking a long drive to enjoy the fall colors, fall is a great time of year in the Cincinnati area. It’s also when temperatures begin to dip, especially overnight, making a comfortable blanket and a warm drink an ideal way to spend an evening.

When cold weather arrives, you’ll want to make sure your heating system is in good working order and ready when you need it. The last thing you want is to turn your heater on for the first time only to have it not start up.

In our latest blog, the heating and cooling system technicians at Nelson Comfort discuss fall HVAC maintenance tips to get your furnace or heating system ready for the cold weather ahead. For all of your home’s HVAC-related needs, don’t hesitate to contact Nelson Comfort today.

How to Prepare Your HVAC System for Colder Weather?

October is usually when homeowners in Cincinnati make the switch from their air conditioners to their heating systems. Before you make that switch, though, consider the following tips.

Schedule a Heating System Tune Up

The best way to keep your furnace or heating system running in optimal condition all winter is with annual tune ups. This service should ideally be performed in the early fall before you need to turn the system on for the first time. This allows our HVAC professionals to spot any minor issues that might need to be addressed before they balloon into more serious and expensive repairs. Regular HVAC system maintenance can also add years of service life to your furnace.

During a heating tune up, your HVAC professional will:

• Tighten all electrical connections
• Check thermostat settings
• Lubricate all moving parts
• Check and inspect the condensate drain
• Check controls of the system
• Check all gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion, and heat exchanger

Check Your Furnace Filter

Dirty and clogged air filters cause your HVAC system to work harder, which can lead to reduced efficiency and higher energy bills, repairs, and increased wear and tear, leading to premature replacement. Most furnace filters should be changed about every one to three months depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, the type of filter you use, and conditions in your home. Contact Nelson Comfort if you’re in need of a new furnace filter.

Clean Around Your Air Conditioner

With summer over, you won’t be needing your air conditioning unit for another few months. However, before you completely forget about it, ensure that the outdoor air conditioning system is free of any twigs, leaves, or branches that could cause damage.

Check Your Air Ducts

When your HVAC contractor is performing a tune up, it’s a good idea to ask them to check your HVAC system’s air ducts, especially if they haven’t been inspected in several years. It’s estimated that the average home loses as much as 30% of heated air through air duct leaks.

This not only increases your energy bills, but it also causes the furnace to run much longer than it should to make up for the heat loss, leading to repairs and possibly even early replacement of the unit.

Contact Nelson Comfort for Heating Services

The HVAC technicians at Nelson Comfort want you to be prepared for the coming heating season so you’ll get the most out of your HVAC equipment and won’t experience any surprise breakdowns. For professional Fall HVAC maintenance, repairs or installation service, don’t hesitate to contact Nelson Comfort today.

About The Author

Dan Detmer

Dan Detmer is the owner of Nelson Comfort. Dan was born into the heating and cooling industry, coming from a family of well respected HVAC contractors in Dayton, Ohio. After working in the family business, Dan decided to work for a local HVAC wholesale business helping local contractors grow their business. When he felt his heart moving him back into the residential and light commercial business, Dan joined the Mortimer Heating & Cooling team in Cincinnati, where he had called home and become part of the community for several years. After a short period of time Dan purchased the company and created what is today, Nelson Comfort. Today he operates a company based on integrity, honesty, and stellar customer service. If you have any questions feel free to tweet (at sign) NelsonComfort and we will get right back with you!