Homeowner Tips

Your checklist for fall home comfort

We’ve all got pumpkin spiced treats, flannel button-downs and bonfires on our fall checklist —but what about HVAC maintenance?

Cold weather is just around the corner, so fall is the perfect time to make a list of some of the small tweaks you can make around the home to optimize your home's comfort in the months ahead. Below are some helpful tips to get you started!

Prepping your yard for fall? Check two things off your list at once!

To ensure your HVAC system is running optimally, clear out leaves and other debris around the outdoor coil and make sure any exhaust vents are clear of debris and will not be covered up by deep snow or mulch. Also, wash out the coil with a garden hose.

Breathe easy indoors this winter

Homeowners should change the air filter at the beginning of each season and should also consider changing the indoor humidity filter in areas where it’s applicable, as well as ensuring your ceiling vents are clean. If you recently moved any furniture, rugs or wall hangings, make sure they are not covering up the vents that supply warm air to the rooms. Doors and windows should be checked for any noticeable air gaps that could cause energy loss when it gets colder. Lastly, consider reversing the direction of your ceiling fans to move the warmer air down from the ceiling and from upper halls and stairwells into the living space. In cooler weather, ceiling fans should run clockwise when looking up at the fan.

Call your contractor – they know best!

Some homeowners hire a contractor to check their systems in both fall and spring, before extreme weather changes to walk through professional inspection and maintenance. A contractor will generally check the following items: the burner assembly, ignitor, blower motor, capacitor and compressor (for heat pump applications), blower motor and the burner assembly. Remember to check your contractor's contact information in your Sensi app!

Save time and money using Sensi scheduling features.

Homeowners can save up to 10 percent a year on heating and cooling costs by simply turning the thermostat back between 7 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 hours a day from its normal setting, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Rather than doing this manually, the Sensi app makes it easy to set and automate temperature schedules in the home. Sensi smart thermostats allow you to create custom temperature schedules for each day of the week. Additionally, the Early Start feature alerts your Sensi thermostat to start the heating (or cooling) system early to ensure that your home is at the preferred temperature you want at the time you want it.

For more information, visit sensi.copeland.com/en-us/.