12 Aug Fall Is Coming: Your End-of-Summer Home Comfort Checklist

The hottest days of summer may not be completely behind us, but August is a good time to start thinking about the season ahead. After months of running your air conditioner, dealing with humidity, and keeping your home comfortable through the summer heat, your HVAC system could use some attention before temperatures begin to drop.

Taking care of a few home comfort tasks now can help you finish the summer comfortably while preparing your home for fall. It can also help you identify small problems before they turn into inconvenient—and potentially expensive—repairs.

Use this end-of-summer checklist to get your home and HVAC equipment ready for the change of seasons.

1. Check Your Air Filter

Your air conditioner has likely been working hard throughout the summer. During that time, your HVAC filter has been collecting dust, pollen, pet hair, and other airborne particles.

A dirty filter can restrict airflow and force your system to work harder to maintain the temperature in your home. It can also contribute to uneven cooling and poor indoor air quality.

Check your filter toward the end of summer and replace it if necessary. How frequently filters need to be changed depends on the type of filter, your HVAC system, whether you have pets, and other factors within your home.

Starting fall with a clean filter can also help prepare your system for heating season.

2. Pay Attention to How Your AC Performed This Summer

Before you forget about your air conditioner until next year, think about how well it performed during the hottest days of summer.

Ask yourself:

• Did some rooms stay warmer than others?
• Did the AC seem to run constantly?
• Did you need to lower the thermostat more than usual?
• Were your electric bills noticeably higher?
• Did your system need repairs?
• Did your home feel unusually humid?
• Did the AC make new or unusual noises?

These issues shouldn’t automatically be dismissed simply because cooler weather is approaching. They may indicate that your cooling system needs maintenance, repairs, or replacement.

Addressing problems now can help you avoid starting next summer with the same issues.

3. Clear the Area Around Your Outdoor AC Unit

Summer can leave plenty of debris around your outdoor air conditioning equipment.

Leaves, grass clippings, weeds, branches, and other debris can accumulate around the unit and restrict airflow.

Take a few minutes to inspect the area and carefully clear away anything that may interfere with airflow. Keeping the space around your outdoor unit clear can help your equipment operate properly and make future maintenance easier.

4. Check Your Thermostat

As your family’s schedule changes for fall, your thermostat schedule may need to change with it.

Back-to-school routines, work schedules, and cooler outdoor temperatures can all affect when your home needs heating or cooling.

If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, review your current settings and adjust them for your fall schedule.

This is also a good opportunity to consider upgrading an older thermostat. Modern thermostat technology can provide greater control over your home’s temperature and help reduce unnecessary energy use when no one is home.

5. Don’t Ignore Indoor Humidity and Air Quality

Summer humidity, allergens, dust, and other airborne contaminants can all affect how comfortable your home feels.

If you’ve noticed excessive dust, musty odors, allergy symptoms, or rooms that feel particularly humid, your HVAC system and indoor air quality may need attention.

Depending on your home, solutions may include improved filtration, humidity control, ventilation, or other indoor air quality equipment.

Fall often means spending more time indoors, making August a great time to address indoor air quality concerns before windows and doors remain closed for longer periods.

6. Schedule Heating Maintenance Before You Need the Heat

It’s easy to forget about your heating system when temperatures are still in the 80s, but you don’t want the first cold morning of the season to be the first time you discover a problem.

Scheduling heating maintenance before colder weather arrives gives a professional technician an opportunity to inspect your system, identify potential issues, and make sure your equipment is ready for the months ahead.

Preventive maintenance can also help your heating equipment operate efficiently and reliably when you need it most.

And by scheduling early, you can get ahead of the rush that often happens once the first cold weather arrives.

7. Check Your Vents and Registers

Take a quick walk through your home and check your supply and return vents.

Furniture, rugs, curtains, and other household items can accidentally block airflow. Make sure vents are open and have adequate space around them.

Good airflow is important during both cooling and heating seasons, so this simple task can help your HVAC system distribute conditioned air more effectively throughout your home.

8. Look for Drafts Before Cooler Weather Arrives

August is also a good time to look for areas where conditioned air may be escaping your home.

Check around:

• Windows
• Exterior doors
• Attic access points
• Utility openings
• Older weatherstripping

Air leaks can make your cooling system work harder during summer and create uncomfortable drafts once temperatures drop.

Sealing obvious gaps can help improve comfort and reduce unnecessary energy loss throughout the year.

9. Consider the Age of Your HVAC Equipment

If your air conditioner or heating system struggled last season, needed frequent repairs, or is approaching the end of its expected service life, now may be the time to start thinking about replacement.

Waiting until equipment completely fails can turn a planned home improvement into an emergency.

New high-efficiency HVAC equipment can offer benefits including:

• Improved energy efficiency
• More consistent temperatures
• Better humidity control
• Quieter operation
• Greater reliability
• Improved indoor comfort

Planning ahead also gives you more time to understand your options and select the right equipment for your home.

10. Don’t Wait for the First Cold Day

One of the best things homeowners can do at the end of summer is simply plan ahead.

Your heating system has likely been sitting unused for several months. Having it inspected before you depend on it every day can provide valuable peace of mind.

It’s much better to discover a potential heating problem on a mild September afternoon than on the first freezing night of the season.

Get Your Home Ready for Fall With D.E. Duffey & Sons

The transition from summer to fall is the perfect opportunity to make sure your home’s heating and cooling systems are ready for the months ahead.

Whether you need seasonal maintenance, HVAC repairs, or you’re considering upgrading older equipment, the experienced team at D.E. Duffey & Sons can help keep your home comfortable throughout every season.

Learn more and schedule your seasonal HVAC service on the D.E. Duffey Heating & Cooling Maintenance page, or call 610-940-1400 today to get your home ready for fall.