Fall is in the air! The leaves are changing, the temperatures are steadily dropping, and the sights and sounds of autumn are all around us. This time of year is really enjoyable, and there’s nothing like spending a cool afternoon letting the breeze blow through your hair as you let your cares slowly drift away.
But one key component to truly enjoying the fall weather is returning inside to a cozy home. As welcome as the cooler air is, we don’t want to come back in to a frigid living room! What we recommend is taking the proper steps to optimize your home’s HVAC unit before the colder weather arrives.
Follow along as the heating and cooling professionals at Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric offer a handy go-to list of simple things you’d be smart to do in order to prepare your HVAC unit for the fall weather.
Clean Debris from Around Condenser
Despite being responsible for a majority of your home’s heating and cooling capabilities, the outdoor condenser doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Its job is to get rid of the excess heat you don’t need, and to do that effectively it needs proper care.
Take some time to look around your condenser and pick up any sticks, rocks or other miscellaneous debris that might’ve gotten close to it. The condenser needs space and unencumbered airflow to work as well as it can.
Change Your Air Filter
Most maintenance schedules call for a replacement of your air filter every three months on average. Obviously, some units will require more frequent changes and others can go longer without one, but once every season is usually recommended.
But the fall brings a new set of challenges and contaminants for your filter. It might perform just fine without being changed out, but we recommend starting the new season with a fresh filter so it can be ready to screen out everything that comes its way.
Install a Smart Thermostat
We are all aware of how the change in seasons affects our AC usage, but sometimes we forget to do what we can ahead of time to minimize the effect that has on our energy bill. They might not spike the way they do in the summer, but they do undergo some changes.
One way to combat this adjustment is by investing in a smart thermostat. This device allows you the freedom to adjust the temperature in your home even when you’re not there, giving you total customization that keeps you from having to pay for energy you’re not using.
Schedule Preventative Maintenance
The previous tips can help, but there’s nothing like having a professional come take a look at your system and check all the bits and pieces of it. Although we like to think we know our HVAC units pretty well, the eyes of a trained expert will be able to spot and alert you to anything that could be problematic – either now or later down the line.
Even if your unit is problem-free, a routine maintenance check will optimize it and provide the minor adjustments it needs to run most effectively this fall.
Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric: Your Fall HVAC Experts
Whether you need a quick tune-up before the cooler weather hits or you’re in the market for a brand-new unit, we’ve got your back. Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric has the tools, tips and expertise needed to make sure you and your family remain cozy and comfortable year-round, and we’d be glad to make that happen.
For more information, call (813) 530-9061!
