As the weather transitions from summer to fall, you may find yourself opening the windows to save on cooling costs. It’s wise to reinvest those savings into HVAC maintenance before you start relying on your heating system for home comfort this winter.
Tuning up your equipment in the fall allows your technician to find and fix problems at the start of the heating season. This reduces the chance of a mid-winter breakdown, keeps repair costs low, and lowers your energy bills. These potential savings often more than pay for the cost of an annual tune-up. Plus, you enjoy peace of mind, knowing that any gas leaks, carbon monoxide concerns, or other safety issues have been addressed.
Yearly autumn HVAC maintenance can also add years to your system’s lifespan, saving you even more in the long run. Of course, finding out that you need a furnace replacement in the fall also gives you time to install a new heating system before the harshest winter weather arrives.
What Heating Systems Need Maintenance in the Fall?
Each type of heating system has unique elements that must be cleaned and serviced once a year to perform at their peak.
- Gas furnaces are the most common heating systems in Michigan. They feature flue pipes that require annual cleaning to prevent dangerous blockages. Other components that are specific to gas furnaces include the pilot light, heat exchanger, and burner assembly. Your technician will check each of these parts during yearly maintenance.
- Oil furnaces are commonly found in homes without natural gas lines. They have many of the same features as gas furnaces, plus the addition of an oil filter that must be replaced regularly and an oil nozzle that requires routine cleaning.
- Boilers use natural gas or oil to heat water for radiators rather than heating air that circulates through the ductwork. Maintenance includes inspecting the pressure vessel, checking the water level, measuring the operating temperature, cleaning the piping and float chamber, checking for signs of corrosion, and more.
- Heat pumps move heat with electricity rather than generating it from a fuel source. They require the same maintenance as air conditioners, which includes cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils, measuring the refrigerant charge, and inspecting the condensate drain.
What About Cooling Equipment?
Spring is the other ideal time of year for HVAC maintenance. This is when cooling systems, including air conditioners and heat pumps, should be tuned up. The reasons are comparable to scheduling heating maintenance in the fall. With this timing, you prepare the equipment to operate safely, reliably, and efficiently when you need it the most over the next few months.
Whether it’s time for heating system maintenance or air conditioning maintenance, Hoover Electric can get the job done. We have decades of experience providing families in the Clinton Township area with honest, reliable HVAC services. Please contact us at (586) 210-0757 to schedule an appointment when it’s convenient for you.
