Planning for Fall HVAC Maintenance

Scheduling biannual HVAC maintenance is the very best way to avoid the need for air conditioning or heater repair when you least expect it. Regular maintenance will also improve your home’s indoor air quality and keep your heating and cooling bills consistently low. This fall is a great time to schedule HVAC maintenance for your furnace or heat pump in Annapolis to ensure your home enjoys reliable and low-cost heating all winter long.

Heater Maintenance for the Homeowner

As a homeowner, there are several easy steps you can take to maintain your HVAC system this fall. Checking the area around your furnace and air conditioner and clearing away any cobwebs, debris, or stored items that could potentially fall on or damage the appliances is a great first step. If necessary, trim any trees, bushes, or other landscaping around your air conditioning or heat pump’s outdoor unit, which will keep the appliance clean and prevent storm damage. Additionally, check your furnace filter—if it has been in place for more than three months, it’s time to replace it with a clean filter. When replacing your furnace filter, check the packaging to determine how long it should remain in place and date it so you’ll know when it next needs replacement.

Heater Maintenance for the HVAC Professional

Despite the fact that there are several HVAC maintenance tasks you can complete on your own, most of your fall HVAC maintenance should be left to a professional. If possible, schedule your fall HVAC maintenance service for a time well before the temperature is expected to drop and you’ll likely need your heater full-time. This ensures that your furnace or heat pump will be clean and ready to perform at full capacity when you do need to switch your thermostat to heat. Your HVAC professional can often perform a full maintenance visit in one to two hours or less; however, if any repairs or parts replacements are needed, keep in mind that your HVAC service may require extra time.