You probably know that your air conditioning needs a tune-up in early spring, and your heating system deserves a little attention in late summer or early fall. But what about your house fan? Fans are the secret to running your air conditioning system a little less while significantly lowering your energy bill. If you guessed that they can also help improve indoor air quality, you’re right.
What about enhancing comfort when it’s not hot enough outside to justify central air? Your house fan helps there as well. The catch is that you can only enjoy those benefits if you invest in a fan system designed for your home’s size and design, and all system elements are maintained throughout the year. We’ll talk more about the whole-home approach to house fans in a moment.
Let’s consider what you can do this fall to give your house fan the attention it deserves.
Top Fall Maintenance Tips for House Fans
At the very least, you should have Environmental Heating & Air Solutions inspect your house fan when they come for your spring tune-up. That allows experienced technicians to identify potential problems and ensure your house fan system operates efficiently when those hot months roll around again. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do some routine maintenance on all fans in your home as the weather starts to cool off and the leaves start drifting from the trees. Fall brings in some lower temps that will lead you to flip off the air conditioning, but it’s usually not quite time to fire up the heating system.
Your fans are the perfect way to keep the indoor air comfortable through the in-between season. The following tips are great touch points for fall fan maintenance.
1. Clean All Fan Blades
Fan blades collect dust and other small particles of debris throughout the year. When you flip the switch, and the blades start twirling, the particles circulate throughout your home. They lower your indoor air quality and contribute to allergy and asthma attacks. The solution is to clean all fan blades in your home at least once a year.
If you haven’t done this in a while, this fall is a great time to start. For most fans, all you need is a soft cloth.
Individual Room Fans
If you have ceiling fans in some rooms of your home, go room by room and clean all the blades — top, bottom, and edges. While you’re up there, clean the light fixtures and other components. Dust can accumulate on every surface and in every crevice.
Whole-Home Fans
The fan blades and motor are in your attic if you have a whole-home fan. While you can turn it off and wipe the fan blades down on your own, it’s best to contact Environmental Heating & Air Solutions because we are one call away if you can’t reach the fan or don’t feel comfortable. We have everything needed to clean your whole-home fan safely.
2. Inspect and Clean the Motor
Inspecting the motor to ensure it’s in good condition and then cleaning it with a soft cloth is essential. This eliminates any dirt or other debris that could interfere with functionality. If you have a whole-home fan with a motor in the attic, this is another job that you may want to leave to trained technicians.
3. Pay Attention
But house fans are something you probably don’t give much attention to. As long as the fans twirl, the air circulates, and your home stays comfortable, what is there to think about? A lot more than you may realize. Turn your house fan on, and walk around your home with your ears, eyes, and nose alert.
If you notice an odd smell, see something shake even slightly, or notice a noise only heard when standing by the motor, you may have an issue that needs prompt professional attention.
4. Tighten Loose Components
If you do hear a subtle noise or see something shake, you may also have a loose screw or some other component. It’s not always a big problem, but those loose pieces can lead to bigger issues if they aren’t tightened. For small ceiling fans in individual rooms, you can often manage to tighten a screw on your own. If you have a whole-home system, loose components are something the professionals will check and correct if you include your fan in an annual tune-up.
5. Inspect All Vents
Whole-home fans depend on vents to deliver cool air to every connected room throughout your home. Every vent needs to remain clear and clean if you want your system to function efficiently and safely. Wiping down the vents and moving any obstructions is an essential fall maintenance tip.
6. Check Attic Humidity Level
Whole-home fans provide a constant flow of air in the attic, which in turn keeps humidity levels in check. If you’ve ever walked into a stifling hot attic, you know that the heat and humidity are very intense without consistent air movement. If you’re able, consider walking into your attic and feeling for excessive humidity this fall. It may help you evaluate your whole-home fan’s overall health and efficiency.
House Fans Are a Whole-Home Solution
Did you come to this page expecting tips for maintaining individual ceiling fans around your home? If so, you’re likely thinking of fans as a single-room solution. If you enjoy a lot of air circulation while you sleep, you may add a ceiling fan near your bed. Does the kitchen get a bit hot when the oven is on? Add a fan there, too.
Unfortunately, that way of thinking will cost you money. House fans are a solution for your whole home and, if used properly, could save you between 50% and 90% of your home cooling costs. What’s the secret to making that happen? It comes down to professionally installed whole-house fan systems from Environmental Heating & Air Solutions.
We can install a system that keeps the air flowing while reducing the workload of your HVAC system and cutting your overall cooling costs.
Learn More About Whole-House Fans
The next time your home feels warm, imagine flipping a switch and turning on a network of fans that cool every room without running the air conditioner. Imagine keeping the air flowing efficiently on those warmer fall days. That’s the beauty of a professionally designed and well-maintained house fan.
Let Us Help Prepare Your Home for Fall
Do you want to discuss whole-house fan systems in more depth? Do you have other heating, cooling, plumbing, or electrical concerns? We can provide reliable installation, repairs, maintenance, and HVAC and plumbing system inspections for Roseville, CA, residents. Additionally, we can help with indoor air quality by cleaning and clearing your ductwork, installing carbon monoxide detectors, attic fans, and adding insulation to keep your conditioned air inside your home. We have the expertise, equipment, and time to maximize your home’s comfort.
Contact Environmental Heating & Air Solutions for a full-service HVAC and plumbing contractor to keep your Roseville home comfortable and functional.