It’s once again that time of year when countless homeowners begin making home improvement preparations for the upcoming winter season, and this is particularly important for your home’s comfort system that’ll be your primary strategy to keep your household cozy.

It’s important to remember that the fall months aren’t just about pumpkin spice season, because October and November are also primetime for scheduling professional HVAC services and preparing your home’s system for the freezing months ahead.

We recently got in touch with the hvac service experts in west jordan utah at Apex Clean Air to obtain a comprehensive checklist that homeowners should keep in mind this time of year, so check out the below sections to see what you should be doing now to ensure that your property stays efficient, safe and comfortable all winter long!

Scheduling A Professional HVAC Inspection Appointment

If there’s one thing that you absolutely must do this fall, it’s scheduled a professional HVAC tune-up appointment with your local technicians.

Experienced HVAC specialists will be able to properly inspect, clean and test your home’s system to guarantee that everything is running as it’s supposed to well before you put it into heavy usage.

During these inspections, HVAC technicians will do the following:

• Clean debris and dust from fans and coils
• Check the belts, blower motor and electrical connections
• Test for carbon monoxide leaks
• Lubricate all moving parts
• Verify thermostat accuracy

These seasonal maintenance services go a long way to extend your HVAC system’s functional lifetime, and they also improve your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) and long-term safety.

Cleaning Or Replacing Your Air Filters

Another easy-yet-effective fall maintenance task to keep in mind this year is replacing your HVAC filters.

Dirty filters unfortunately restrict your entire system’s airflow, which subsequently forces your system to work a lot harder than it’s actually supposed to. This then leads to higher utility bills and unnecessarily high energy usage.

For the vast majority of homes, HVAC filters need to be replaced around every 1-3 months, but you may need to change yours out more frequently if you have allergies, pets, or live in a dusty climate.

And today in 2025, homeowners should also consider upgrading to HEPA-rated filters this winter. HEPA filters are known for effectively trapping even the tiniest of particles like dust mites, pollen and pet dander, and this dramatically improves a property’s IAQ!

Cleaning Ductwork & Vents

It’s normal for pollen, dust and potentially even mold to accumulate within your property’s ductwork during the summer months. What’s particularly problematic about this buildup is that the tainted air particles will inevitably start circulating throughout your living spaces when you switch your heating system on.

This is why the fall months like October and November are the ideal time to invest in professional duct cleaning appointments, which will also include a thorough vent vacuuming.

Clean ducts don’t just improve a home’s IAQ, because they also make your HVAC system more efficient by enhancing airflow as well.

Testing Your Thermostat & Considering Smart Thermostat Upgrades

You’re also going to need to recalibrate and test your thermostats this fall before the first cold spells settle in your area. Do this by setting your thermostat to heat mode and confirming its general responsiveness.

And if your home still uses manual thermostats, this fall could be the perfect time to consider upgrading to a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats are capable of automatically adjusting indoor temperatures based on weather patterns and your household’s daily schedule, which lowers energy bills and keeps homes comfortable when you need it most.

You can even control smart thermostats via smartphone apps, so they’re perfect for subtle adjustments before you arrive home on cold evenings!

Sealing Leaks & Double-Checking Insulation

Even the very best HVAC systems won’t keep up with performance when warm air is escaping outside through cracks and gaps.

This is why you should be sure to walk around your property and check for any drafts that might be near windows, doors or attic hatches. You should also consider using weatherstripping and caulk to seal these small air leaks, and adding insulation in your garage or attic can also go long way when it’s necessary.

When you reduce air leaks at your home, your furnace doesn’t have to work quite so hard!

Don’t Foret About Your Outdoor Unit!

Your HVAC system’s heat pump or outdoor condenser definitely needs attention during the fall months as well.

Be sure to clear away any branches, leaves and other debris that might potentially block airflow around your unit. This could also include trimming back vegetation to ensure a two-foot clearance barrier around the unit.

And for added protection this winter, use a top cover to keep falling leaves out of the unit—while still allowing moisture buildup to escape.

Stay Ahead Of The Cold This Winter With Seasonal Fall HVAC Services

Seasonal fall HVAC services offer a lot more than basic routine maintenance, because they also provide added insurance for your property against potential winter emergencies.

Even just a few hours or one day of preventative HVAC care can go a long way to help you save hundreds, if not thousands, later this season.

So, be sure to schedule your next HVAC tune-up appointment before the first real snowstorms start rolling through the country in the next few weeks!