Sure, the summer heat held on to the Olathe, KS area a bit longer than most of us would have preferred, but we’re already starting to see much cooler temperatures and increased rainfall as we make our way into autumn. Before you know it, we’ll be switching from air conditioning to heating in our homes. As we do, it’s a good time to remind everyone of the importance of a furnace tune-up from a heating and cooling professional before things get too chilly.

While a furnace tune-up in the fall is one of the best things you can do to get your home ready for colder weather, it’s really just the start. We’ve assembled a few tips to help you transition from A/C to heat, stay comfortable without running up your energy bill, and know if it’s time for a furnace upgrade. Before we get into all that, though, let’s talk tune-ups.

The Significance of Fall Furnace Tune-Ups

As we leave the last days of summer behind and transition into the welcome onset of fall, ensuring that our furnace is primed and ready for the colder months becomes essential. Furnace tune-ups are more than a chore we check off our autumn to-do list; they play an essential role in the seasonal maintenance of our homes and help to ensure that our furnaces run efficiently and safely, while also reducing the risk of mid-winter breakdowns.

The best time to get your furnace tuned up is before you need it. Here in the Midwest, the dead of winter is characterized by bone-chilling cold, and the last thing any Olathe homeowner wants is their furnace giving up the ghost on the coldest night of the year. That’s why you should have an Olathe HVAC service company look over your furnace before the temperatures start to really drop. 

Besides helping to head off furnace breakdowns at the most inopportune times and catch serious problems before they begin, regular tune-ups for your home’s HVAC system help to ensure that everything is in good working order and that it’s all working as efficiently as possible. This means that tune-ups can actually save you money on your utility bills, especially as the days and nights get colder. Like any machine, your furnace can develop problems over time, from the accumulation of dust and debris to wear and tear on moving parts. These initially minor problems can become major malfunctions if they aren’t addressed in a timely manner. They can affect the performance of your furnace and, with it, your home’s comfort and your utility bills.

Transitioning from AC to Heating

Besides scheduling a tune-up from an Olathe heating and cooling professional, you can do plenty of other things around the house to help prepare for the transition from air-conditioning to heating. Around here, early fall can be unpredictable. One day, it may be warm enough for a T-shirt and flip-flops, while the next you might be pulling on a sweater. Until the temperatures settle down, you may find yourself switching between A/C and heat—and that’s okay! We’ve got a few tips to help make the transition go as smoothly as possible.

Thermostat Check: When you get your furnace tune-up, the heating and cooling pros will make sure that your thermostat is working, but you can check it yourself and at least make sure that it’s on the right setting and that it’s responsive when temperatures change. If you don’t already have a smart thermostat, you might also want to consider investing in one. These devices help to ensure that your rooms are comfortable when you’re lounging on the couch or turning in for the night, while also saving you energy when you’re away at work or school.

Filter Swap: One of the most important things that you can do to take care of your home’s HVAC system is to make sure that the filters are changed regularly. When you get your furnace tuned-up by an HVAC service company, the technician should replace the filters as part of the service, but the rest of the time, it’s up to you. Clogged filters not only lead to worse indoor air quality, they also force your furnace or air conditioner to work harder, which increases your utility bills and puts an unnecessary strain on your system.

Systems Check: When you first switch over from air to heat, make sure you let your system run for a while. You might notice some unusual sounds or smells when you first switch over, and we have some tips if those don’t dissipate quickly. Regardless, you’ll want to give everything time to warm up to ensure that your furnace is working as it should and heating your home evenly and efficiently.

Get Help: As we said, you might notice an odd smell or some new sounds when your furnace heats up for the first time. These should go away in short order. If they don’t, or if anything else seems to be amiss, or if you’re unsure about something, remember that Davenport Service Company in Olathe is just a call away at 913-441-2222. We’re always ready to assist!

Knowing When It's Time for an Upgrade

Regular care and maintenance from an Olathe heating and cooling professional can help extend the life of your furnace, but nothing lasts forever. Sooner or later, it’ll be time to replace or upgrade your furnace. This may happen when repairs would cost more than a replacement or simply when your furnace is no longer operating as efficiently as it should.

Did you know? The lifespan of a furnace is around 15 years. After that, many of them begin to struggle, which can lead to higher and higher energy bills, even if your furnace is still heating effectively. If your furnace is over 15 years old, it’s probably time to start thinking about a replacement, even if it’s still working fine for now.

Watch for the signs. If your furnace is nearing the end of its lifespan—or even if it’s still relatively new—certain signs can indicate growing problems. These include unusual sounds or smells or your furnace running more often than it used to. Any new or different behavior from your furnace could be cause for concern, and it’s important not to ignore these signs. If you notice something different about your furnace—be it sound, smell, performance, or anything else—call the pros at Davenport Service Company, and we’ll be happy to check it out.

Whether you have questions or concerns or just want to schedule your fall furnace tune-up, the pros at Davenport Service Company are waiting for your call at 913-441-2222!