Most people think about their HVAC systems primarily in the summer and winter months. In spring and autumn, we're less likely to run the AC or our heater, and so they tend to become out of sight and out of mind. But it's during the fall that your heater is most likely to kick on for the first time of the season, and so it's a good idea to start thinking HVAC thoughts as the kids head back to school and the leaves begin to turn.

There are a lot of things that you can do before your furnace ever kicks on that will save you time and money in the long run. Installing storm doors and thermal windows can be a major money saver in both hot and cold weather, as can keeping vents and warm-air registers clean and unobstructed by furniture, drapes, or other objects. The better the airflow in your house, the easier and cheaper it will be to keep the temperature regulated.

Before the weather gets too cold, check the seals on your pipes, ducts, doors, and windows to make sure that gaps between heated and unheated areas are adequately protected. If you have fireplaces, check the damper and make sure that it's fitted tightly, and use it whenever you're not using the fireplace. (When you do use the fireplace, be sure that it's cooled off sufficiently and the ashes are no longer smoldering before you close the damper.)

When the air starts to get chilly, switch your ceiling fans so that they push warm air back down into the room. Since warm air rises, most ceiling fans have reversible motors. During the warm months, you want the blades to bring the warm air in the room up toward the ceiling and disperse it, increasing airflow and cooling the air. During the colder months, you want your ceiling fans to push the warm air that collects near the ceiling back down into the room so that all your heat isn't going up above your head.

Before your furnace kicks on, make sure that you clean your air filters. Different furnaces have different kinds of filters that are located in different places and that can be cleaned in different ways. A skilled HVAC technician, like the ones at A. Borrelli, can tell you where your filter is located and how best to care for it, as well as how often it should be replaced.

Fall is an ideal time to have your furnace checked out by HVAC professionals, to make sure that everything is up to snuff before the bad weather hits. The first time your furnace kicks on in the season, there may be a smoky smell like something burning that comes out of your vents. This can be a sign of any number of potential problems with your HVAC system, some of which can be dangerous to you and your family. So before your furnace warms up this winter, call the professionals at A. Borrelli to make sure that everything is ship-shape!

With licensed, trained, and insured technicians in Westchester, homeowners can count on A. Borrelli HVAC to handle their heating, cooling, and plumbing needs expediently. At A. Borrelli, we do HVAC and plumbing right, so call us at (914) 301-7495 today!