As you get your home ready for the fall season, take time to perform a few essential home maintenance tasks that will help your HVAC equipment work better. In a well-maintained home, heating equipment will operate more efficiently and economically while keeping your living spaces more comfortable. Here’s a brief list of some of the home maintenance projects you should consider.
- Find and seal air leaks: Air leaks in your home’s structure can let hundreds of dollars worth of heated air escape unused. Worse yet, you’ll have to pay more to heat enough air to make up for the loss. Locate air leaks and seal them appropriately. Most cracks, holes and gaps can be sealed with caulking. Check for leaks in common areas, such as around door and window frames, at points where pipes or wires penetrate the walls, and in areas where the foundation and attic floor connect with the house frame. Contact your HVAC professional for information about a home energy audit that can locate hard-to-find leaks.
- Clean gutters and downspouts: Make sure your home’s gutters are clean and free of debris and blockages, such as leaves, sticks, and mud. This will reduce the possibility of water leaks during rainstorms or when ice and snow melts off your roof.
- Check and repair roofs: Inspect your ceiling carefully for any damage that could create holes or openings in the roof. Look for loose or missing shingles, damage to flashing or seals around chimneys or roof penetrations, and obvious holes in the roof’s surface. This type of damage can lead to water leaks and can allow substantial amounts of energy and heated air to escape. Contact a roofing professional to correct these problems.
For nearly 40 years, Roth Heating & Cooling has served Portland, Hillsboro, Canby and the nearby Oregon communities with high-quality HVAC sales, maintenance, and service. Contact us today for more information on fall home maintenance and what you can do to ensure your home and HVAC system are ready for the cooler months.
