With autumn upon us, now is the best time to prepare your home for the change in season and for colder temperatures that often turn into winter overnight. Now is also the time to take advantage of nice weather while it’s still here, to complete home maintenance both indoors and out. There is a seemingly endless list of cleaning, repairs, maintenance, inspections, etc. that could be done, and it’s unlikely that any one person will have time to do them all. What may be important now is getting ahead on heating and air quality before the seasonal rush and before a problem occurs just when temperatures start to drop the most.
Schedule a Furnace Check/Tune-up
Get a head start on furnace maintenance by having your furnace, or other heat source, inspected by a professional for potential problems and needed repairs. Scheduling before heating is really needed further into autumn will ensure that your furnace is ready to go when it needs to and will be safe to operate for what may be several months consistently. Contact an HVAC professional to check your home’s heating unit: furnace, boiler, heat pump- whichever.
Clean Indoor Air Quality Products
If you have a humidifier, air purifier, filtration system, or other product, now is a good time to clean them and to remind yourself to do so regularly. You may be able to clean components of the product or they may need replaced, depending on what system you have. Air filters should typically be cleaned or replaced once a month to get the most out of your furnace and to improve indoor air quality. Other high-efficiency filters may need replaced less often. Check your air quality product and contact an IAQ professional for assistance.
Check Windows and Doors for Leaks
Make sure that your windows and doors are properly sealed so that they don’t let unwanted air inside. If you do detect leaking air, then you’ll want to caulk or seal the area to stop the leak. This also helps to prevent possible water damage to your windows and doors by keeping additional water out of cracks and frames. Consult a professional for assistance or to complete the job.
Test Smoke and Fire Alarms
A change in season is a good reminder for testing alarms and other home devices, but ideally, smoke and fire alarms should be tested monthly. Clean dust off the surface of the alarms and replace batteries if needed. It’s also recommended that these alarms be replaced every ten years, if not sooner.
Check and Inspect Water Heater
Air won’t be the only thing in your home that needs heated, in the winter and all year round. Have your water heater inspected to make sure that there are no leaks, noises, water problems, etc. that could cause you to have insufficiently heated water or none at all.
Conduct a Thorough Whole-House Cleaning
Another way to help improve your home’s indoor air quality is to get rid of dust that may be lingering in unseen or hard-to-reach places. Move your furniture to clean behind and underneath where dust settles the most; wash and vacuum curtains and drapes; clean off ceiling fans where dust collects on top; clean windows and sills; and more. While the weather is nice, you can open your windows to let in fresh air for faster drying and ventilation when cleaning.
Preparing your home for fall and impending winter may help you to avoid potential problems, repairs, and inconveniences later in the season. Scheduling inspections, cleaning, testing, and taking care of other household issues are ways to keep your home in good condition as the seasons change and cold weather strikes. And, your home will be a more comfortable, cleaner, and safer place for you and your family.
Gillece is a full-service plumbing and heating contractor, to learn more about their furnace repair and heating services you can visit them here. You can also connect with Gillece by following them on Twitter @GilleceServices.