While the start of autumn means that your AC will be getting a break from the summer heat, it also means that colder months are on the way. And just like during summer, there’s routine maintenance that should be on your fall checklist to ensure that you stay warm throughout the season.

Don’t wait until you’re cold and need heater service — check out Gordon’s Heating & Air’s top tips for preparing your home for fall and be ready!

Check Weather Stripping

While this may not be directly related to your HVAC system, ensuring that you have correctly installed weather stripping on your doors and windows is a simple, critical step. This way, that coveted warmth will stay indoors, and your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard. Weatherstripping is inexpensive to purchase and simple to replace. Check your current strip for cracks where heat can escape and ensure that it runs the full length of the opening but no further.

Replace Your Filter

While you should be changing your filter almost every month, it’s easy to forget doing so when the weather starts getting colder. However, because you’re probably spending more time in your home, this step is even more crucial. Make sure that you choose the correct MERV rating for your filter. Having a rating that’s too high means your unit will have to work harder to pull air through the filter, reducing efficiency, increasing utility costs, and taxing the system unnecessarily.

Clean The Condenser Unit & Coils

The condenser unit and evaporator coils are both located outside. Unfortunately, this means that dirt and debris can accumulate on and around your system during summer showers, lawn mowing, and falling foliage. When the system is covered with grime, it makes it more difficult to do its job. Fall is the perfect time to go out and do a quick inspection and cleaning to ward off any issues when winter rolls around.

Run The Heat

Everyone’s familiar with the burnt smell that accompanies turning on your heater for the first time in a while. This smell is usually caused by dust that’s accumulated on the heating components being burned away. While this is nothing to worry about, it’s a good idea to go ahead and give the heat a test run before you actually need it. If it doesn’t turn on, you can get heater repair, so you’re ready for winter.

Schedule Maintenance

The best time to discover an issue is before it becomes a more severe problem. With regular HVAC maintenance, potential problems can be found before they become costly repairs and even prevented from happening in the first place. Gordon’s Heating & Air offers a comprehensive maintenance package that includes routine maintenance and discounts on repairs. When the weather is at its most extreme, don’t be caught unprepared!