Fall is right around the corner, and it’s time to get your HVAC winter-ready before the snow flies. Regular preventative maintenance is crucial for your complete building to tackle issues early, budget accurately, and optimize the safety of your building.

Here’s how to get started with your HVAC system:

Change your filter

Filters are often out-of-sight-out-of-mind and get neglected in the preventative maintenance process. In the fall, HVAC units introduce more outdoor air (for free cooling) and get dirty faster, needing to be changed more often. Also, depending on your location, you may have a build-up of pollen to get rid of now that summer is ending.

Clean the coils

Staying on top of your filters will limit the need to clean your coils, but you will need to get into those nooks and crannies every few years for optimal heating and cooling efficiency. Outdoor coils may need even more frequent attention, with exposure to leaves and other outside debris. Checking them in the fall will alert you to the status and allow you to create a cleaning schedule that works for you.

Treat your water

A lack of water treatment in preventative HVAC maintenance can lead to corrosion, scale buildup, pump seal failure, and increased inefficiency in your unit. If your system has a side stream filter, that filter cartridge needs to be changed regularly, depending on your water quality.

Monitor glycol levels

In climates like ours, the heating and cooling coils use a glycol solution to prevent freezing in the winter. Check on your glycol percentage to monitor this concentration so that you are confident it’s high enough to withstand the impending cold winter temps.

Get your valves moving

Often HVAC units’ isolation valves are left open throughout the year and close only when in maintenance mode. If your valve has remained open for any length of time, it’s possible that it has clogged or seized. Exercising these valves will ensure that they’re working when you need them most.

Keep a record

Using a maintenance checklist is a great way to stay on top of your preventative maintenance schedule and note upcoming expenditures. If you’re tech-savvy, there’s even an app for that, so you can record everything online for easy reference and instant access.

With fall HVAC maintenance, you’ll look ahead to upcoming spring repairs, budget spending for upcoming expenditures, and keep your building in its best shape for the coming year.