9-11-2025 7:48am

10 Tips To

Your HVAC Maintenance Checklist For Fall

As the leaves begin to fall and the temperature drops, it's the perfect time to prepare your HVAC system for the winter months ahead. Routine fall HVAC maintenance helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and keeps your home ready for the cold. Here are 10 simple steps to ensure your furnace is working well this season.

1. Swap Out Your HVAC Air Filter Every So Often

All your basic HVAC air filters trap dust, allergens, hair and other airborne debris, protecting your heating and cooling. New filters better preserve indoor air quality by trapping microscopic pollutants. Over time, the air filter becomes clogged, which limits air circulation and may overwork your furnace. To avoid this, replace the filter regularly throughout the year.

2. Optimize Your Thermostat Settings

With the temperatures dropping soon, now's the time to change your thermostat from cooling to heating mode. Adjusting your thermostat settings for each season keeps costs in check and ensures a cozy home. Here are a few tips:

Adjust the temperature to 70°F or below for as long as you're in the house.
Drop the temperature a few more degrees to around 62 degrees when you're away or overnight. A programmable thermostat can handle this and even create optimized settings for you.
Refrain from overriding programmed settings. Instead, layer up with a sweater or blanket if you are still too cold.
When it IS necessary to change the temperature, do so one degree at a time. Setting it as high as possible won't speed up the heating process.
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3. Keep Ventilation Clean and Free of Debris

Every now and then, set aside some time to check all the air duct openings in your home. For any registers covered in dust, grab your vacuum's brush attachment to clear it off. Ensure that no return or supply vents are obscured by furniture, rugs or curtains to ensure proper air circulation.

Closing vents when you leave the room may seem smart to save money, but it can also cause uneven air distribution, adding strain on your system and—counterproductively—driving utility costs UP. Keep at least 80% of your registers open to keep airflow well-balanced.

4. Seal Any Leaks in the Ductwork

Leaking air ducts let heating and cooling escape, contributing to higher energy costs. Despite the name, duct tape is a poor solution for sealing up air ducts. For a lasting seal, call an Expert to properly seal your ductwork. The support from local comfort professionals will reduce heating costs, enhance your sense of comfort and even boost indoor air quality.

5. Ensure Your Home Is Safe from Heating-Related Fires

The gas furnace is a leading cause of home fires. Stick to these recommendations to keep your family safe:

Store flammable materials far from heating equipment, particularly space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and other gas appliances.
Never leave a running space heater unattended.
In the same vein, avoid using extension cords for space heaters.
When your furnace makes odd sounds or has unusual smells, shut it down and contact a heating Expert.

6. Examine the Furnace Flue

A blocked flue pipe can cause dangerous backdrafting, raising the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Before turning on the heat this fall, check the flue vent outside to ensure it’s unobstructed. If the flue is blocked, call a professional for help.

7. Maintain Clear Space Around Your Furnace

Your furnace requires ample room around where it's installed to avoid the risk of problems. Don't store any belongings within 10 to 15 feet of the unit. If your utility closet is too small, keep it empty apart from the HVAC equipment. Place flammable materials like paint, cleaning supplies and aerosol sprays far from your furnace.

8. Ensure Smoke, Carbon Monoxide Alarms Work

These crucial safety devices notify the household of dangers like a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Check them once a month to ensure they're working correctly, and check/replace the batteries every year. Only take out the batteries if you’re intending to switch them out right away.

9. Keep up with HVAC Maintenance with an Expert

While it's possible to take care of some simpler fall HVAC maintenance tasks by yourself, an experienced maintenance technician can complete full inspections, clean key components and other tune-up tasks. Industry experts suggest professional AC maintenance every spring and furnace maintenance at the start of fall.

Annual HVAC maintenance keeps energy costs in check and ensures smooth day-to-day operation. The opportunity to identify potential concerns before they wreak havoc also reduces the risk of emergency repairs.

10. Prioritize Energy Efficiency When Replacing Your Furnace

Once your heating passes the 10-year mark, it is likely 60% as efficient and approaching the end of its service life. Instead of allowing total system failure, think about upgrading it. A new, high-efficiency furnace is up to 97% efficient when converting fuel to heat, providing immediate energy savings and total comfort for years to come.

Make Sure Your Furnace Is Prepped for Fall and Contact Pipco today

If you prefer letting the professionals handle the items on this fall HVAC maintenance checklist, Pipco AC Heating is ready to serve you. We are committed to providing fast, affordable solutions for all your comfort concerns. To set up a maintenance call, please contact us today.