HVAC Maintenance Questions

Schedule professional maintenance twice yearly: AC tune-up in spring before cooling season, and heating tune-up in fall before heating season. Regular maintenance prevents 95% of breakdowns, extends equipment life, maintains efficiency, and is often required for warranty coverage.

A comprehensive tune-up includes: cleaning coils and components, checking refrigerant levels, testing electrical connections, lubricating moving parts, calibrating thermostat, inspecting ductwork, testing safety controls, checking gas connections (for furnaces), and providing a performance report.

Maintenance plans typically cost $150-350/year and include seasonal tune-ups, priority scheduling, repair discounts, and no overtime charges. They're worth it if you value convenience, want to prevent breakdowns, and plan to keep your system long-term. Plans pay for themselves with just one prevented repair.

Basic tasks you can do: replace filters monthly, keep outdoor units clear of debris, ensure vents are unblocked, and clean visible dust from registers. Leave electrical work, refrigerant handling, combustion checks, and detailed inspections to licensed professionals for safety and warranty protection.

The EPA recommends duct cleaning every 3-5 years, or when visibly contaminated. Clean ducts more frequently if anyone has allergies, you have pets, after home renovations, or if you notice mold, pests, or debris. Not all homes need regular duct cleaning—assess based on your situation.