5 Important Housekeeping Tasks to Handle This Fall
Spring is celebrated as the time for cleaning and freshening the home, but this should be an ongoing activity, so you have less work. Nevertheless, there are some tasks that are essential fall maintenance duties. You should make the most of the cooler Greenville, North Carolina, weather. Use this time to clean out and care for your home so it will be ready to withstand the challenges of winter and keep you warm and cozy all season long. Smart fall housekeeping tasks during fall will serve you well throughout the coming winter.
Schedule HVAC Maintenance
HVAC maintenance is something you should schedule twice a year. Arrange for your technician to come once in the early spring to service your air conditioner and once in fall for your furnace. Ideally, you’ll book this visit early, before you need to start using your furnace. During your HVAC tuneup, the technician will clean the interior of the unit, tighten connections, lubricate moving parts, and thoroughly inspect the system. This is the perfect time to catch a pending disaster before you’re left without heat in the chill of winter.
Seal Your Home
Check around your home and seal the windows and doors to improve energy efficiency this winter. You should use caulk around windows and door frames. Look for cracks, gaps, and other areas where air might seep in from outside. You can catch leaks that aren’t visible to the naked eye by using a stick of incense. Turn off your HVAC system and any fans, and hold the incense in front of a window or along the baseboards. The direction in which the smoke blows will indicate if there’s a leak.
Use weatherstripping to seal moving parts. Weatherstripping around doors and windows will help you to keep the heat inside during the colder months. Keep in mind that existing weatherstripping needs to be replaced if it’s cracked, torn, or otherwise damaged.
Clean the Gutters
You should take care of your gutters in autumn before winter weather makes it too difficult for you to access this area. You will need to remove leaves, dirt, or other debris. Clogged gutters are particularly hazardous in winter because they can lead to the formation of ice dams. A heavy ice dam along the edge of your home can cause major damage to the roof, or injury to persons walking below.
Change the Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system require frequent care and attention. This isn’t something you need to leave up to your HVAC technician during the annual visit. While the tech will certainly change your filters during his visit, you’ll need to keep up with subsequent maintenance in the following months.
You should change or clean your air filter once every one to three months. This is a quick DIY job that takes minimal time and effort. A clean air filter is more efficient at removing dust and dirt from the air. It will also improve the energy efficiency of your entire system, so you can enjoy lower utility bills throughout the season.
Shampoo Your Carpet
Fall is an ideal time to schedule a carpet cleaning. The crisp weather is perfect for throwing your windows open, which makes it easier for damp carpets to dry promptly. A steam cleaning can help sanitize your carpets for better air quality and overall health in the home. You should have your carpets cleaned every six to 18 months, depending on the amount of traffic in your home. Clean carpets last longer, are easier to spot treat between cleanings, and minimize household odors.
If you’re ready to book your fall HVAC maintenance, contact J & J Mechanical, Inc. at (888) 716-0052 to make your appointment now. Secure HVAC service early to make sure you get your maintenance in before the cold weather hits. We’ll help you prepare for winter by making sure your furnace is in proper condition to handle anything the coming season may throw at you.
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