Fall is right around the corner, so it’s a good time to prepare your home for cooler weather. Top on your list should be HVAC maintenance.

Did you know heating and cooling accounts for 48 percent of the total energy use in your home? So, it pays to pay attention to your system.

We’ll walk you through the top five fall maintenance projects you can do to make sure you’re ready for the season to change.

1. Clean Around the Outdoor Unit

During the summer, grass clippings can blow into the unit and clog the vents. Hedges grow quickly during the warm weather and may overtake your HVAC system.

Spend an hour or two and trim back any foliage that is growing too close to the outdoor unit. A good rule of thumb is to keep the hedges at least two feet away from the unit on all sides.

Once you’ve done that, clear away any grass, leaves, and twigs that may be clogging the unit.

2. Change the Air Filter

This is especially important during the summer when your air filter is trapping pollen and dust. So, get ready for fall by changing your air filter now.

This is really a year-round job, so you might set a reminder for yourself to check the filter on the first of every month. If you live in an area prone to dust and allergens, you might need to swap out the filter every 30 days. Otherwise, change it every three months.

3. Test Your Thermostat

Check your thermostat to make sure it’s working properly and adjusting appropriately to any change in temperature.

If yours is battery operated, make sure the batteries are fully charged. Most thermostats will flash a “check battery” light or other indicators to alert you they need to be replaced.

If yours is a programmable model, this is a good time to review your settings. Make sure the temperature is appropriate for the change of seasons.

You can save as much as 10 percent year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back seven to ten degrees for eight hours a day.

4. Clean the Vents

Consider this your fall cleaning project. If you can, remove the vents that cover the ductwork inside and give them a good cleaning. Dust and pet hair can build up and reduce airflow. If you can’t take them down, vacuum them as best you can.

The idea here is to help your HVAC system work as efficiently as possible. If the air has to fight to move through your house, the whole unit has to work harder.

5. Schedule a Professional Inspection

Some jobs are best left to the professionals. Unless you’re trained to work on HVAC systems, you should schedule an inspection at least once a year.

A professional inspection will include checking the filters and inspecting electrical switches, belts, contacts, motors, safety switches, and refrigerant levels.

HVAC Maintenance: Wrapping Up

You may have purchased a service agreement when you bought your system. Even if you didn’t, the cost of an inspection will run you a lot less than having to replace the whole system for lack of maintenance.

If you would like to schedule an inspection as part of your HVAC maintenance, contact our office any time.