As summer ends and we welcome fall, it is time to start thinking about fall cleaning. There are things we need to do every fall to get our homes ready for the long winter indoors. You may already do some deep cleaning like dusting and washing windows to get your home cleaned up, but did you know that there is more you can do to get the air inside your home cleaner and help maintain your HVAC system? Here is a checklist to help accomplish that.
Change the furnace/AC filter.
Filters should be checked once a month and changed at least every 3 months, more frequently if needed. Keeping the air filter clean will help your HVAC system work more efficiently and can help reduce the amount of dust and other contaminates that are inside your home. Some systems have reusable filters that can be washed but most systems have filters that need to be replaced regularly, and these can be purchased from Modern PHE or at a home improvement store.
Clean your vents.
You can clean the vents with your vacuum by using the hose with the brush/upholstery attachment and vacuum the vent cover. You can also wipe them off with a damp cloth or remove them and scrub them, be sure to let them dry off completely before putting them back on.
Duct Cleaning.
You don’t need to have your air ducts cleaned every year, but you want to check them occasionally. Debris that ends up in the ducts can make its way down to the furnace and cause unnecessary repairs/damage. Although not very common, mold can sometimes grow in the ductwork, which can be serious because the mold spores can get blown into the air you are breathing when the furnace and/or AC is running. If you notice uncommon allergy-like or respiratory symptoms, you may want to have the duct work checked. Duct cleaning is something that we offer here at Modern PHE, if you are interested, please give us a call to schedule an estimate.
Protect the outdoor AC Unit (if applicable).
There is not much that needs to be done to the unit outside to get it ready for fall/winter. Just be sure to clean the area around your outdoor unit and spray off the unit itself. If you would like to cover it for the fall and winter months, you can buy a cover online or call the office and we would be more than happy to order one for you.
Think ahead about System Replacement.
If you have an older unit or noticed higher than usual energy bills last season, it might be time to think about replacement. You might want to schedule this before the busy season or the cold winter months hit to avoid possibly being without heat.
Once you have completed your checklist, you are ready to enjoy (as much as you can) the fall and winter months. If you have any concerns about your HVAC system, call Modern PHE at (208) 745-7021.
