Fall HVAC Maintenance Checklist for Your Kansas City Home

January 22, 2024

When cooler temperatures are on the way, you may change your daily activities. Examples include raking leaves, turning back the clock, becoming immersed in back-to-school activities, and swapping summer clothing for cozy fall and winter wear.

But there’s something you might be overlooking. Your house also needs proper fall HVAC maintenance to prepare for the Kansas City winter. Investing in maintenance now means your home will be snugly winterized so you can brave chilly temperatures comfortably—and less expensively—than you otherwise might.

Read on as we hone in on the latter with a helpful fall HVAC maintenance checklist and handy fall HVAC maintenance tips for optimal comfort and energy savings. Remember that Hamilton Plumbing Heating A/C Rooter is at your service for the most reliable installation and maintenance on your Kansas City HVAC unit. Call (913) 227-4943 to schedule a service or get your questions answered.

6 Fall HVAC Maintenance Tips You Will Want to Consider

With HVAC, fall maintenance will help keep your home safe and comfortable. This fall HVAC maintenance checklist can help you prepare your home for the colder months.

Check for Leaks

Electrical outlets, windows, and any areas with recessed lighting can have leaks, as can window and door frames. Block leaks with caulk or replace old windows with new energy-efficient ones. Your house probably has some exterior cracks that let air in, too. If you find cracks in brick, masonry sealers will take care of them. Weather-resistant caulk should suffice in other areas.

In addition to making your home more energy-efficient for the winter, sealing cracks also discourages insects and other critters from entering your nice, warm home.
Don’t Forget HVAC Ductwork

Even if your HVAC system is relatively new, your ductwork can still have leaks. These openings can cause higher energy bills, bad air quality, and a drafty, chilly home. Hire a professional to inspect your ductwork, find leaks, and fix them before the cold weather sets in. You’ll save money on utility bills and be much more comfortable.
Winterize Your Air Conditioner

It’s easy to forget that your air conditioner needs winterizing since you won’t use it until next year. But doing so can save you time and money:
- Turn It Off: When the last hot day has passed, turn your air conditioner off. This step will protect the unit during winter because it won’t turn on accidentally and allow water to enter. (You’ll need to do this to perform winterizing maintenance to avoid the risk of electric shock.)
- Wash the Unit: Hose off the exterior of your air conditioning unit to wash away dirt, then carefully remove leaves, twigs, and other refuse from the outside. Allow it to air dry.
- Cover It Up: Once you’re sure your air conditioning unit is completely dry, cover the compressor securely with a tarp. There should be no way for air, water, or debris to get under the tarp. Secure the tarp with bungee cords so it can’t blow off.
- Check On It: Every so often this winter, check on your air conditioning unit to ensure the tarp is still secure and that debris, water, ice, or snow haven’t gotten under it. Remove snow or ice from the tarp periodically since the snow or ice’s weight can damage your air conditioner over time.
Be Prepared for Potential Furnace Issues

Fall weather in Kansas City can be colder than in many other places in the country. Our nighttime lows drop into the 40s and 30s by October and November, meaning homeowners must have their furnaces in working order.

There are three common problems you might encounter with your furnace:
- Short-cycling
- Irregular flame
- Soot deposits
Short-cycling can happen with many HVAC components when they shut off prematurely. This issue could be a sign of a faulty heat exchanger.

Irregular flame happens when the burners get dirty, causing uneven heating. Of course, that could result from soot deposits, which stifle heating and indicate the need for burner replacement.

Aside from these common problems, we encourage you to schedule a furnace safety inspection with our technicians. This is a great way to get ahead of potential concerns and enjoy peace of mind throughout the fall and winter when temperatures drop. Safety inspections can help you avert emergencies and save up to 30% on your utility bills because we can fine-tune everything to ensure optimal heating efficiency.
Diagnose Carbon Monoxide Problems

Another big furnace problem is the potential for carbon monoxide (CO) leaks. This problem can be extremely dangerous because even low levels of CO can contribute to dizziness, headaches, nausea, and other unpleasant symptoms. If you neglect furnace maintenance, you could expose your household to this health hazard.

Fortunately, there are ways to detect excessive CO levels through a carbon monoxide detector. If you install one or two of these units in your home, they’ll sound an alarm whenever CO reaches an unsafe level. They work like a smoke detector, requiring at least an annual inspection, but make a big difference in your pursuit of better air quality.
Turn HVAC Fall Maintenance and Winterization Needs Over to the Professionals

Know when to enlist professional HVAC services. Some manufacturers require annual preventive maintenance and inspection to uphold a warranty, including check-ups in the fall.

Some of these items you can handle on your own as a homeowner. Things like addressing minor sealing cracks or raking leaves away from the unit contribute to the overall well-being of your HVAC system. For a comprehensive HVAC inspection, call the pros.

At Hamilton Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Rooter, our team of licensed and experienced technicians will take the guesswork out of caring for your HVAC system. We can give you reliable advice on maintaining your equipment and providing the services needed to prepare your house for winter.

Most Important Things to Check on Your Kansas City HVAC Unit Year Round

Diagnosing potential furnace issues and addressing them early is essential. That’s the best way to avoid expensive problems and guarantee better energy efficiency. The truth is that HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) maintenance is a year-round task. These are the most critical elements in HVAC unit inspections:

Thermostat
Air filter
Refrigerant level
Airflow
Motor
Presence of pests or excessive dirt/debris/filth
Heaters, furnace, exhaust systems, gas connections
Other electrical components
Evaporator coils, condensers, condensate drains, compressors, and air handlers

These are the primary components we check when we visit your home for an inspection. We recommend doing this at least annually or whenever you notice higher power bills or any malfunctions.

What Is Routine HVAC Maintenance?

Keeping up with routine maintenance on your HVAC system is the best way to prolong its lifespan and ensure efficient operation. During a routine tune-up, our technicians will assess the items listed above and perform any necessary cleaning to keep the components functioning correctly.

What Is Included in Preventive HVAC Maintenance?

Preventive HVAC maintenance includes thoroughly inspecting all home’s heating or cooling system components. A qualified technician can test the airflow and temperature, look for warning signs, and swap out the filter to keep the air flowing properly.

Prep Your HVAC Unit with Help from Hamilton’s Expert Technicians

Don’t skip necessary fall HVAC maintenance. Putting this task on your annual to-do list preserves your system and translates to long-term cost savings and improved comfort.

You can depend upon our careful workmanship since we receive top endorsements from local clients and review agencies. Our A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) demonstrates our commitment to quality work and service. You can count on us for outstanding maintenance of heating and AC equipment, as well as plumbing and electrical systems.

If you need assistance with your Kansas City HVAC unit, don’t hesitate to contact us for prompt and reliable service. Our professional technicians have served the Kansas City area for over 30 years.