How to Get Your Sacramento HVAC System and Furnace Ready for Fall

You adjust the thermostat and your HVAC kicks on. It feels relatively comfortable in your home, so you probably don’t need to worry about your home’s heating and cooling systems, right? Not exactly.

With record-breaking heat this summer, most Sacramento HVAC systems have been working on overdrive. As we move towards cooler weather, it’s important to get your HVAC system and furnace ready for fall.

Because the signs that your HVAC system isn’t working efficiently aren’t always obvious, it’s important to work with professionals. This is also the case when your furnace hasn’t been turned on for months and you’re getting ready to use it again.

Read on to learn what you can do to get your Sacramento HVAC system and furnace ready for the fall.

 

The Subtle Signs of HVAC Inefficiency

 

Even if you had your HVAC system cleaned and serviced in the spring or summer months, you may need another inspection. These are some of the signs that your HVAC system is working inefficiently.

 

Increasing Energy Bills

 

Often, one of the first tell-tale signs that your HVAC system needs attention is an increase in energy bills. If the vents are packed with debris, the thermostat is broken, or the HVAC has suffered wear and tear, the entire system has to work harder. For example, the system may have to run longer than necessary to achieve the set temperature.

 

Unstable Temperatures

 

Does it seem like the temperature is fluctuating more than normal in your home? For example, you may have the thermostat set to 72 but throughout the day, it’s anywhere from 70 to 80 degrees in your home. Rather than continuously adjusting the thermostat to try to achieve equilibrium, consider calling HVAC professionals to take a closer look and determine the problem.

 

Exacerbated Health Problems

 

After months of use, debris and pollutants have a tendency to accumulate in HVAC and furnace vents. Each time either system kicks in, it forces air through these vents, causing the debris to recirculate. This can have a negative impact on your indoor air quality, leading to respiratory problems like a runny nose, itchy eyes, or coughing.

 

Unusual Sounds and Smells

 

You might notice a subtle whooshing sound when your HVAC or furnace turns on, but you shouldn’t hear any clanging, bumps, or whistling. Likewise, heating and cooling shouldn’t cause your home to smell different-and it shouldn’t create a musty or earthy smell. New and unusual sounds or smells indicate that your HVAC or home furnace need a cleaning and tune-up.

 

Preparing for the Temperature Drop

 

Though we often enjoy a mild fall in Sacramento, cold fronts can still sweep through. When you want to use your home furnace, you shouldn’t have to worry that it won’t work. Follow these steps to prepare your HVAC and furnace for the fall season.

 

Find the Right Heating and Cooling Professionals

 

The first thing you need to do is find an HVAC company you can trust. Ideally, you want to partner with professionals that can respond to scheduled and emergency calls.

It’s useful to check online reviews and referrals. Pay close attention to what previous clients say about customer service, professionalism, timeliness, and service quality. You should verify that the company is licensed and insured to protect yourself from undue liabilities.

 

Clean Your Vents

 

One of the first services to schedule after the long summer months is vent cleaning. As we mentioned earlier, when your HVAC is in regular use, the vents tend to accumulate pollutants like dust, pollen, and even mold. This can impact efficiency and lead to respiratory problems.

Even if you have a furnace that is separate from your HVAC system, they likely use the same ventilation system. Don’t put off vent cleaning until the spring, when you’ll start cooling your home again. Scheduling vent cleaning in the fall can protect indoor air quality throughout the colder months.

 

Schedule a Tune-Up

 

Another factor that can negatively impact efficiency is HVAC and furnace damage. When one or more internal components have worn down, the entire system works harder to compensate. Plus, relying on one broken part can lead other parts to break down, creating a costly ripple effect.

Wear can also occur when a system has sat dormant for several months. If you have a separate furnace that has been in hibernation since last winter, schedule an inspection. A heating and cooling professional can assess the state of your furnace and clean or replace parts as needed before you find out the hard way that something is broken.

 

Upgrade Your Thermostat

 

Sometimes, heating and cooling inefficiency can be solved with a simple fix. If you notice that your system has a hard time reaching and maintaining your set temperature, it’s possible that your thermostat is the culprit.

Older thermostats have a tendency to yield inaccurate readings. This can lead your HVAC system to work harder than necessary or stop pumping climate-controlled air into your home before reaching your set temperature. Newer models are designed with efficiency in mind and are often easier to use, offering remote or smartphone capabilities.

 

Invest in a New System

 

If your HVAC or furnace are outdated or it has been several years since you’ve had them serviced, you may need to invest in new systems. There are times when replacing a furnace or HVAC is less expensive than repairing individual components.

Your American Energy contractors are here to assess the state of your heating and cooling systems and give you honest results. We ensure that our customers can make informed decisions that make the most sense for their finances and energy usage.

 

Need Sacramento HVAC and Furnace Maintenance?

 

HVAC systems across Sacramento went into overdrive this summer to compete with record-breaking highs. Before we move into the cooler months, it’s important to have your HVAC and home furnace inspected, cleaned, and repaired.

Looking for Sacramento HVAC and furnace maintenance? American Energy has over 40 years of experience and our stellar reviews speak for themselves. Learn more about our services and schedule an appointment today.