How Can You Prepare Your HVAC System For Back To School?

Sep 16, 2022

Crisp weather, fall leaves, football – fall means a lot of different things for each family. But for most, this time of the year also indicates the back-to-school season! Whether you have kids in college, high school, or elementary school, the back-to-school time is no doubt one of the busiest times of the year. So, you are likely staying busy with all the necessary fall preparations. From transitioning your wardrobe to getting your children ready for a new school year! Ideally, now is the best time to also transition your HVAC system due to the seasonal change. From air conditioning to furnace use, it’s vital you get your heating system set up for success so you can focus the rest of your time and energy on ringing in a solid new school year for your family. Luckily, your Grove City Heating & Air is here to help lighten the load for you! So, keep reading as we discuss some helpful tips!  

Have You Invested in a Smart or Programmable Thermostat?  

As you know, fall in Ohio is unpredictable. The weather is ever-changing, and it’s likely you recently have been changing your thermostat temperature back and forth to accommodate for the constant change. One day it’s warm; the next, you may wake up to a chill, nippy morning. However, remember that as the weather becomes more consistent, you will want to reprogram your smart or programmable thermostat to align with the weather change.   

Furthermore, with the kids back in school, your daily routine has probably changed with earlier mornings and the kids arriving back home in the afternoons, so, as a result, you will want to reset your thermostat to also coincide with the times no one, or fewer people are at home. Fewer bodies in the house mean your furnace will not have to exert as much energy to maintain the temperature in your home. Additionally, you can also set your temperature higher when no one is at home to reduce energy consumption. If you don’t already have a smart or programmable thermostat, now is the time to indeed start thinking about investing in one. Fortunately, there are several affordable options, and we can also install them for you. Call us today for more info!   

Have You Checked and Changed Your Air Filter?  

Per industry standards, air filters must be changed every 30-60 days. However, even if your air filter isn’t entirely due for a change just yet, it would not be a bad idea to start the back-to-school season with a clean slate. Pollen, dust, and other allergens are prominent home infiltrators in the summertime, so your air filter may have become exposed and overloaded with these allergens. Therefore, we think it’s better to be safe than sorry and proactively switch those air filters out as we tackle this school year head-on.  

Have You Cleaned Around Your Outdoor Unit, the Compressor?  

With fall here, loose leaves can be pests as they accumulate in the backyard where your compressor is located. It’s essential to keep the vicinity of the compressor clear of loose leaves, debris, and plant vegetation. Fall winds can pick these loose particles up and blow them into the compressor’s fan blades, ultimately causing your system to malfunction, leading to further issues down the line. Stay ahead of the game by frequenting this area throughout the fall and ensuring no obstructions surround your outdoor unit. A faulty HVAC system is the last thing you want to add to the stress of back-to-school preparations!  

Have You Cleaned Your Air Vents and Ducts?  

Your HVAC system’s ductwork and air vents are important in distributing air throughout your home. Therefore, these components must be kept clean and free of dust and particle buildup. Buildup and obstructions will only lead your system to work harder and potentially cause it to overwork itself, leading to unwanted issues later on. To prepare your ductwork and vents for the back-to-school season, perform a walk-through of your home, ensuring that no articles or obstructions are blocking the vents from releasing air into the rooms. You also want to make sure each vent is left open, and none are left in a closed state. When ducts are left closed, it will confuse your system and cause it to overexert itself. In addition, if you find that your vents are dusty, these can be vacuumed with your vacuum hose attachment and may also be wiped down with a gentle soap and warm water mixture if needed.  

Have You Called to Book Your Fall Maintenance Check?  

If you haven’t already booked your yearly fall maintenance check, don’t forget to do so as soon as possible. We highly recommend all our customers have their furnace serviced once a year for their seasonal tune-up and safety check. Doing this ensures that everything is running as it should be. Not to mention our NATE-certified technicians perform a thorough inspection to double-check your furnace is still running in line with current safety standards. After all, your family’s safety is top priority!  

Grove City Heating & Air provides reliable and trustworthy HVAC service to surrounding homeowners. We would count it a privilege for the opportunity to serve you, your home, and your family. So, whatever your HVAC needs are, we’d be more than happy to assist! Call us today at (614) 490-7540, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here! We wish you the best of luck this school year and hope you and your family make the best memories this fall!