Packed lunches, homework assignments, carpool rides – these are just a few things that surface in our minds when we hear the phrase “back-to-school.” For some people, the back-to-school season is bittersweet. Time flies! Kids grow up fast. On the other hand, this time of the year signals a bit of long-sought freedom for others. Either way, no matter how you feel about the back-to-school season, it is no doubt that this time of the year is chaotic. Unfortunately, transitioning from the summer to the fall can often result in a little more stress than most of us would care for. But what does your HVAC system have to do with all of this? Well, with the seasonal transition and the busyness of the year, it’s easy for your HVAC system to get forgotten in the midst of the all back-to-school prep! But it’s vital that your HVAC system receives a little TLC this time of the year as well. After all, your furnace has been out of commission for several months now. So, before you start heavily using your heating system this fall, your Five Star Heating & Cooling Group professionals want to ensure you, your home, and your family are set up for success as you ring in a brand-new school year this season!
1. Have You Programmed Your Thermostat For Your New Back-to-School Routine?
Let’s start with your thermostat! It may be safe to assume that you probably don’t use the same temperature in your home in the fall as you would in the summertime. With the change in temperature outside, you will likely adjust your thermostat, so your home remains comfortable, along with the change of the seasons. In addition, your household will now be on a totally different routine. Whether you have school-aged kids or older kids in college, or perhaps you have decided to take a few classes yourself – this ultimately means that there will be fewer bodies in the house during the day. So, your HVAC system will now not need to exert as much energy to keep up. Therefore, it would be a great idea to have a smart thermostat or programmable thermostat to set your temperature to coincide with when everyone arrives home in the afternoon. Doing this will surely result in lower energy consumption, leading to extra energy savings. Don’t have a smart or programmable thermostat? No worries! We do, and we can install them for you! The good news is that these modern thermostats are affordable, energy-efficient ways to best optimize your HVAC system, so call us today if you are interested!
2. Have You Checked & Changed the Air Filter To Start Off With a Fresh School Year?
The power of the air filter often is underestimated. Tiny but mighty – this essential component of your HVAC system functions to prevent allergens, dust, loose particles, and other airborne contaminants from infiltrating your home. With fall here, so are all the fall germs! It’s inevitable, and there’s no way around it. So, the only thing we can do is stay ready and gear up! Our NATE-certified technicians always suggest that homeowners keep their HVAC system’s air filters changed out every 30-60 days. But with the start of a new season, it wouldn’t hurt to be a little proactive and change your air filter beforehand. Think of it as starting a new school year off with a fresh, clean slate!
3. Have You Considered Using a Home Purification System To Battle the Fall Germs?
If you still have those yucky, unwanted fall germs and viruses on your mind, we have a solution for you! Have you ever thought about utilizing a home air purifier in your house? If so, now is the time to jump in with both feet! Colder weather is just around the corner, which means viruses and airborne sickness will be in full force. Although you cannot control the germs your kids are exposed to when they are at school or even yourself when you’re at work, you can say “No!” to germs and bacteria with the use of a good home purification system such as the iWave-R. The iWave-R is an air purifier that is used in conjunction with your residential HVAC system. It is a self-cleaning system that functions by way of needlepoint ionization. Furthermore, it is known for its ability to almost completely eradicate airborne bacteria and illnesses with a high success rate of 99.4%. If this has you intrigued, feel free to reach out for more information!
4. Have You Cleaned Your Ducts & Registers For the Fall Transition?
The ductwork and registers in your home are the mediums used to distribute air throughout your house. It’s important these stay clean and clear of dust buildup so as not to clog the air from being circulated correctly in your home. Dirty air ducts will result in your HVAC system overexerting itself, which can lead to system issues and a shorter lifespan.
To get your ducts ready for the transition to fall, go ahead and walk through your home to inspect each register. They should all be open and have no furniture or obstructions in front of them. In addition, if you find that the registers have layers of dust on them, you can clean them off with the hose from your vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, if they need to be wiped down, it is okay to use warm water and a gentle soap mixture to wipe away the dust film. Just be sure your cleaning rag is not soaked; a damp cloth will do the trick.
5. Have You Called To Schedule Your Fall HVAC Maintenance Appointment?
Fall is a busy time of the year. So, you will want to call us as soon as you can to get on the books for your fall tune-up and safety check. It’s crucial that your furnace gets serviced once a year before it is heavily used this season. Doing so will guarantee that your furnace is still in working order and that everything is running properly and according to current safety regulations. While you may not think this is necessary, we urge you to reconsider. Just like you regularly check your vehicle, and have it tuned up, you want to do the same for your HVAC system. Preventative maintenance plays a huge role in eliminating the possibility of larger, more substantial issues occurring.
Additionally, if you need another reason to have it done, staying on top of your seasonal maintenance checks keeps your manufacturer’s warranty active. Luckily, scheduling your fall maintenance check with us is easy as a snap of your fingers! We make it a painless and easy process for you.
Five Star Heating & Cooling Group is highly qualified and has years of experience to adequately serve you! So if you have any questions or concerns, we may assist you with – whether it’s booking your fall maintenance appointment or needing more information about the iWave-R. You can call us today at (614) 490-7550 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here! And before we forget to mention it, we hope you and your family have the smoothest and best school year yet!