Fall is in the air! This is the season of leaf raking, pumpkin carving, and turkey roasting. As you relax and enjoy the cooler weather, just make sure you make a little time for HVAC maintenance. Properly maintaining your HVAC equipment will ensure your furnace is ready to go when cold weather comes. Your air conditioner will also thank you once spring arrives.

Here are some key tasks to include in your fall HVAC maintenance plans.

Clean the AC Condenser

Unless your AC condenser is really dirty, you should not have to bring out the hose for this. Instead, use a compressor to blow all of the leaves and debris off the unit. Trim back any branches that are near the air conditioner, too. Then, you can put your AC cover on for the season. Make sure it's a breathable cover made specifically for your air conditioner. Using a tarp is not recommended as it can trap in too much moisture.

Drain the Condensate Lines

The condensate lines and drain pan associated with your air conditioner can get moldy and clogged if you let water sit in them all winter. Generally, you can detach the condensate hose and use an air compressor to blow the air out of it. Simply detach and dump your drain pan.

Vacuum Your Vent Covers

Dust tends to accumulate on your vent covers when your HVAC system goes unused for a few weeks in the fall. So, before heating season arrives, spend some time vacuuming off your vent covers. If they're really dirty, you can unscrew them from the wall, remove them, and scrub them clean in your bathtub. In any case, cleaning the covers now prevents dust from being blown through your home when you later turn the heat on.

Change the Air Filter

You should be changing your air filter approximately every 1 - 3 months to keep allergens at bay. Fall is a good time to upgrade to a pleated cotton filter if you're not using one already. These filters cost a little more than the fiberglass ones, but they are better at catching tiny dust mites and mold spores, which are abundant in homes during fall and winter.

Change Your Thermostat Batteries

If you have a battery-powered thermostat, fall is a good time to change the batteries. This way, you know they won't fail when you're out of town for the holidays. Having your thermostat batteries fail is more than a nuisance. It can mean your heat does not turn on, which could cause your pipes to freeze. Changing your batteries is a lot easier than dealing with frozen and potentially burst pipes!

If you complete these HVAC maintenance tasks this fall, your system will be prepared for the cooler weather. Are you struggling to find the time to maintain your system? Then contact Hassle Free Home Services. We offer seasonal and monthly home maintenance plans that include HVAC services.