An organized HVAC service checklist makes fall HVAC maintenance much easier. It helps you prepare your home for colder, wetter weather while protecting your system and keeping your family comfortable. The good news is that some simple homeowner-friendly tasks have a big impact on efficiency and reliability. Pair those with the professional maintenance steps best left to a technician, and you’ll head into the season with peace of mind.
We’ll cover both sides: the quick wins you can safely handle yourself and the pro-only items that keep your system tuned, tested, and ready for the demands of the heating season.
Simple HVAC Maintenance Steps for Homeowners
1. Replace Your Air Filter Regularly
Your air filter is the simplest part of your system to maintain — and one of the most important for airflow and indoor air quality. A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder, drives up utility bills, and circulates more dust through the home.
Most homes use a 1-inch filter that should be changed every one to three months. Larger media filters (2–6 inches) can last longer, and some systems use washable electrostatic filters. Check the cabinet door or your old filter for the right size, point the new filter’s arrow toward the blower, and write today’s date on the frame so you stay on schedule. A clean filter improves efficiency and helps keep indoor air fresher at a time of year when families spend more hours inside.
2. Keep the Furnace Area Clear
Maintain at least 2–3 feet of open space around your furnace. Move boxes, holiday decorations, or cleaning products to another spot so nothing blocks airflow or creates a fire hazard. A clear furnace area also makes it easier (and safer) for technicians to work when it’s time for service.
3. Check Vents and Returns
Walk through each room and make sure vents aren’t blocked by furniture, rugs, or drapes. Vacuum dusty return grilles to keep them from pulling debris back into the system. Keeping vents open and clear helps your furnace heat evenly, avoids hot and cold spots, and reduces strain on the blower motor.
4. Set Your Thermostat for Fall
Switch your thermostat from Cool to Heat once nights stay consistently below 55–60 degrees. Keep the fan setting on Auto, not On, so the furnace only runs the blower when needed. Aim for a three to five degree gap between heating and cooling setpoints so the system doesn’t waste energy by bouncing between modes.
If you have a smart thermostat, program a simple schedule that matches your daily routine. Consistent settings keep your home comfortable, prevent the furnace from short cycling, and help control energy costs.
5. Test Your Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
Gas furnaces produce carbon monoxide, so working detectors are essential. Press the test button on each unit and replace batteries if needed. Detectors should be replaced every 5–7 years.
Keep this printable HVAC maintenance checklist near your equipment or filter door, and you’ll always have a reminder of the tasks you can handle.
Pro-Only HVAC Maintenance: What Technicians Handle in Fall
Some maintenance tasks belong on every fall HVAC service checklist, but they require specialized tools, training, and safety checks. A Precision Comfort Systems fall tune-up is a comprehensive 18-point maintenance and safety inspection. That means our technicians aren’t just checking boxes, they’re making sure every component of your system is tested, cleaned, and calibrated for safe and efficient operation.
1. Electrical and Safety Testing
Your technician measures volts and amps, tightens loose connections, and verifies safety controls. These steps protect motors, circuit boards, and ignition systems from hidden wear. Catching an electrical issue early can prevent costly breakdowns or even fire hazards.
2. Combustion or Heat Pump Performance Checks
For furnaces, technicians inspect burners, ignition assemblies, and the heat exchanger to confirm safe operation. For heat pumps, they check refrigerant charge, temperature splits, and defrost cycles. These performance readings prove that your system can meet demand efficiently and safely.
3. Coil and Blower Cleaning
Dust, dirt, and film naturally build up on indoor and outdoor coils. A technician can safely open the cabinet, clean coils, and adjust blower components. This keeps airflow strong and efficiency high — something homeowners can’t do with a basic vacuum or garden hose.
4. Thermostat Calibration
Even small thermostat inaccuracies can cause wasted energy or uneven comfort. Technicians use their experience (and tools you won’t find at home) to verify calibration, changeover behavior, and mode control.
5. Additional Tune-Up Steps
A complete fall tune-up also includes checking flue draft, lubricating moving parts, and documenting changes in performance. These steps may not sound exciting, but they add years of reliable life to your system.
Are You Ready for Your Fall HVAC Maintenance?
As the seasons change, you want your home to stay reliably comfortable all autumn. Precision Comfort Systems can help you get ahead of the season with preventive maintenance before cold weather settles in. Call (317) 867-2665 or schedule your service online to lock in your fall HVAC maintenance visit and head into cooler weather with confidence.