Home · Getting ready for winter
Why fall is the time for an HVAC tune-up in Rockwall
North Texas heaters sit idle for most of the year, then get switched on the first cold night. A tune-up before that night can save you a no-heat service call.
In North Texas, your heating system sits unused for most of the year. Dust settles, filters clog, and small problems go unnoticed until the first cold snap, when lots of neighbors are calling for service at the same time. Fall, before you really need the heat, is the easiest time to get the system checked.
What a fall tune-up usually covers
Every company's checklist is a little different, so ask what's included. A heating tune-up typically includes:
- Inspecting the furnace or heat pump and cleaning parts that collect dust
- Checking the ignition, burners and flame on gas furnaces
- Checking electrical connections and controls
- Testing the thermostat and making sure the system cycles on and off properly
- Checking airflow and the air filter
- Checking the condensate drain, which matters on high-efficiency furnaces and heat pumps
What you can do yourself
- Change the air filter. It's the simplest thing you can do for your system. Check it monthly during heavy use.
- Test the heat early. Switch to heat on a cool afternoon, before you need it. A dusty smell for a few minutes is common on the first run. A smell that lingers, or any unusual noise, is a reason to call.
- Clear around the equipment. Keep boxes and storage away from the furnace, and keep leaves and debris clear of an outdoor heat pump.
- Open the vents. Make sure supply and return vents aren't blocked by furniture or rugs.
The safety check that matters most
If your home has a gas furnace, water heater or other gas appliance, make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms, and test them. Carbon monoxide has no smell or color. Fall, when the heat goes back on, is a natural time to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace their batteries.
A local option: Firehouse Heating & Air
For a fitting example, look at Firehouse Heating & Air, which describes itself as a firefighter-founded HVAC company in Rockwall. Based at 1785 I-30 Frontage Road, it handles heating and air conditioning repair, installation and preventative maintenance plans for homes and light commercial buildings in Rockwall and the surrounding area. It's an independent Trane and Amana dealer and says it services other major brands too. It's also a member of the Rockwall Area Chamber.