Fall has officially arrived, and we’re looking forward to the festivities of the season! It can be easy to overlook your HVAC system and indoor air quality between picking out Halloween costumes for the kids, trying new fall recipes, and selecting the perfect autumnal decor, but at Total Mechanical Systems, we want to help you to experience Total home comfort this season and beyond.

While fall activities may be at the forefront of your mind, remember that proper management of your home’s heating and indoor air quality systems is a year-round task!

Here is a list of ways that you can get your HVAC system ready for the colder months to come!

Change Your Air Filters

With the transition of the seasons comes the change of allergens, so you’ll want to pay extra attention to your home’s air quality this fall. To lay the groundwork for pristine air quality, you’ll need to replace your HVAC system’s air filters consistently. The air filter is the first line of defense against dirt, dust, pollen, and other irritants. If the filter is clogged with debris, its filtration is severely limited and the contaminants spread throughout the air.

Replace your air filters regularly to keep your home’s air clean and easy to breathe.

Turn on Your Heating System at Least 3 Times… Before You Need It

Firing up your heating system is a good way to make sure that everything will work well when needed. For 30 minutes to an hour, you can turn the heat onto the desired temperature and then turn it off. Doing this is the same as a warm-up for your heating system before it has to operate 24/7.

Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

With a programmable thermostat, you won’t have to think about whether your home’s comfort system can handle the sudden switch to heat. With this technology, your thermostat would complete that preparation for you based on what your regular routine is during certain months.

Schedule a Heating Tune-Up

Making sure that your heating system is ready for the cooler months is one thing, but you want to also make sure that your system is working correctly in general. By scheduling a tune-up with our professional technicians, you will know if there’s anything else that needs to be done with your system before the cold weather settles, and your heating will be ready to keep you cozy until Spring is sprung!

Get the Upgrade that You Need

Getting a new system is a smart decision in many ways. Not only will this lower how much money you would be spending on repairs, but you will also enjoy peace of mind knowing that you have a newer, more efficient system under warranty that will be less likely to fail when you need it most and saving you energy and money every month!

Some additional things to keep in mind when it comes to Indoor Air Quality this time of year…

Keep Fragrances Natural

We understand how tempting it can be to pick up those limited edition fall scented fragrances and cleaning products! While the scent of pumpkin spice and apple cider sounds like a good idea, these fragrances often contain harmful chemicals that disrupt your indoor air quality.

If you just can’t seem to let go of your store-bought air fragrances, consider trying a natural alternative! There are many safe scented cleaning and fragrance options that you can make with a few items from your pantry, including:

Boiled spices and fruit peels
Baking soda
Pure essential oils

Don’t be afraid to mix and match different natural cleaning ingredients to create a signature scent for your home. Simmer some cinnamon sticks, apple and orange peels, and whole cloves for the perfect seasonal scent.

Flora Friends

Although the leaves outside are falling, your home’s houseplants are sure to thrive this fall season. Not only are houseplants a perfect way to add liveliness to a space, but they also act as natural purifiers for your home’s air. While not all plants’ air filtration abilities are created equal, there are a few purification superstars that can help improve your air quality, including:

Snake plants
English ivy
Aloe vera
Spider plant

When combined with indoor air quality solutions, plants can help keep your air fresh, so your next deep breath is full of relaxation!