Fall is here. It is the perfect time to tackle a couple of chores before the weather changes. After all, shorter days and extreme weather conditions are just around the corner.
If you live in an area with cold winters, fall is the best time to check your home’s heating equipment. Also, it is necessary to prune your trees to prevent any damages during winter storms. To make sure that everything gets taken care of, you need to have a comprehensive fall maintenance checklist so that your home is ready when winter hits.
PFO Heating & Air Conditioning can help you with some of these preparations by providing professional heating system tune-ups. An annual furnace maintenance checkup will ensure your furnace keeps you warm when the weather is at its worst. It will also ensure that your system can perform efficiently to prevent paying astronomical home heating costs.
We also offer other HVAC services such as furnace repairs, HVAC installations, fuel delivery, to name a few. Our professional technicians have the knowledge and skills to provide you with reliable heating services. Call us today to schedule an appointment. We offer free, in-home consultations and we will gladly take the time to answer any questions that you may have.
Fall To-Do Checklist & Furnace Maintenance
Contents
In this article, we will discuss a few simple but vital tasks that you should conduct before the arrival of the winter season.
Clean Gutters And Downspouts
Once most of the leaves have fallen from the trees, you will need to remove any of the debris from your gutters and downspouts. Clean the gutters to remove all of the twigs, leaves, and gunk. This debris clogs your drain. Therefore, water will pool when a rainstorm happens. The buildup of water will cause ice dams when the cold months arrive.
Ensure that the gutters do not sag. Make sure that you tighten the gutter hangers and downspout brackets. Your downspout must also extend at least five feet away from your house. This way, you can prevent any foundation problems that are associated with the buildup of water near your foundation.
Inspect House Exterior
Walk around your home and check for any damages on your roof, siding, and foundation. Warning signs may include rust spots on flashings, or buckled, missing, or cracked shingles. You need to replace any damaged or missing shingles on your roof immediately. If you notice any other damages, schedule a repair before the winter season hits.
Seal Gaps And Cracks
As you assess your home’s exterior, you should also check for any cracks and gaps. Inspect the windows and door frames, especially between the trim and siding. Check any locations where pipes and wires enter your house.
Cracks and gaps in your windows and doors cause air leaks. When the heated air bleeds out of your home, it wastes energy. Your furnace will have to work to compensate for any drafts in your home, driving up your utility bills. Moreover, moisture can seep through these gaps. Condensation will only create moisture-related issues in your home such as mold growth.
Also, critters can sneak into these tiny gaps. Mice can get inside your home, raid your kitchen, and cause an extensive amount of property damage. With the cold weather coming, many small critters look for warm places to call home. Your house is the perfect place for these pests to burrow in.
Seal all cracks and small holes. If there are any significant gaps, you need to cover them with heavy-duty hardware cloth. Make sure the cloth is secured so that you keep all wildlife outside your home.
Shut Off Exterior Faucets
Turn off the shutoff valves on water supply lines for outdoor faucets. This way, you protect your pipes when freezing temperatures hit. You also need to remove garden hoses from exterior faucets. Leaving them attached will let water return back to the taps and the plumbing pipes. When the temperature dips to freezing, the water will freeze and expand. In turn, your faucets and pipes might crack. Be sure to cover your hose bibbs.
Drain the hoses and store them neatly. This chore is best to perform during the early fall. Sudden cold spells can sneak up on you and cause unnecessary damages. Doing it early in the fall season helps avoid any issues.
Stock Winter Supplies
Fall is the best time to prepare supplies if you live in places with snowy winters. Check your ice scrapers and snow shovels. Replace them if needed. Also, buy a bag of ice melt and restock your emergency kits for your home and car. If you have a snow blower, get it tuned-up and purchase fuel.
Check Your Fireplace
Ensure that your fireplace is safe. Use a flashlight and look inside the fireplace flue. The damper should be able to open and close correctly. Open the dampers and check if there are any blockages. Make sure that there aren’t any leaves, birds’ nests and other debris. You should be able to see light streaming down your chimney. If you don’t already have one, buy a chimney cap. It’ll keep any critters from crawling down your chimney. Also, make sure that you use a chimney balloon to prevent cold air from entering your home.
Schedule Heating System Maintenance
Make sure that your furnace or boiler are cleaned and maintained. Contact an expert technician to come and service your heating system. A professional tech will check your heating system and tune it up for the coming winter. Annual oil or natural gas furnace maintenance will make sure that your system is efficient and that it doesn’t break down in the middle of winter.
Professional techs have a furnace maintenance checklist that they use to ensure that your entire system is working correctly. This list includes cleaning your heat exchanger and furnace burner. All dust and grime are cleaned off your furnace. A technician will lubricate your system. Furthermore, a tune-up is an opportunity to address any small issues so that they do not escalate further. Overall, a furnace maintenance service makes sure that your system is in tiptop shape. This way, you stay warm and cozy throughout the whole winter.
It is important to note that you should not conduct DIY furnace maintenance unless you are a seasoned and licensed technician. Only a technician understands how to perform a tune-up correctly to ensure reliable performance from your heater.
Conclusion
If you are looking for “furnace maintenance near me,” do not hesitate to call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide high-quality heating system repairs, maintenance, and installations. Our NATE certified technicians are highly skilled and trained when it comes to servicing your HVAC system. We guarantee that all our services are professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. Best of all, all of our services are affordable, including our furnace maintenance cost. Be sure to give us a call and schedule your heating system maintenance with us today.
Click here to contact us now or call us at (800) 253-9001 to find out more!