When it comes to keeping your home comfortable year-round, HVAC maintenance is something that should never be neglected. After more than 25 years in the industry, I’ve seen my fair share of emergencies that could’ve easily been avoided with a little preventative care. Whether you’re dealing with a scorching summer or a freezing winter here in the Greater Seattle area, a well-maintained system ensures you’re not left out in the cold—or the heat.
Maintenance Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system
HVAC preventative maintenance is like taking care of a car. Regular oil changes keep it running smoothly and extend its life. The same applies to your heating and cooling system—without proper care, it can start to sputter, leading to higher energy costs and untimely breakdowns.
Back when I was just starting out, I had a client whose air conditioner broke down on one of those rare 100-degree Seattle days. They hadn’t cleaned the filters or checked the coils for years, and, unsurprisingly, the unit gave up. After we got it up and running, they were hit with a huge repair bill that could have been avoided with regular HVAC system maintenance.
Benefits of HVAC maintenance
Regular HVAC maintenance is crucial for keeping your system efficient. Filters, coils, and fins in your air conditioner must be cleaned or replaced regularly. Neglecting these tasks causes your system to work harder, which not only spikes your energy bills but shortens the life of the system. For many of my clients, skipping routine care led to expensive repairs or, worse, full system replacements.
Regular HVAC maintenance helps you save money, plain and simple. Did you know that these systems can claim more than half of your household energy consumption? By keeping everything running smoothly, you avoid high repair costs and help your system last longer.
When I talk to homeowners, I always stress the benefits of HVAC maintenance. A regular tune-up:
- Lowers energy bills by improving efficiency.
- Reduces the chances of a costly emergency repair.
- Extends the life of the system, meaning fewer replacements over time.
- Helps maintain good indoor air quality by ensuring clean filters and coils.
Just last fall, I worked with a homeowner who had consistent issues with indoor air quality. After a thorough cleaning and inspection, we found their HVAC system had been circulating dust and mold spores due to dirty filters. That’s why regular heating and air conditioning maintenance is critical.
HVAC Maintenance Checklist
Here’s a simple HVAC Maintenance checklist you can follow to keep your system in good shape:
- Replace or clean air conditioner filters regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow, reducing efficiency.
- Check and clean evaporator coils annually. Over time, coils collect dirt, which reduces airflow and their ability to absorb heat.
- Comb fins back into place on evaporator and condenser coils using a fin comb. Bent fins can block airflow.
- Clear the drain channels. A clogged drain can cause water damage inside your home.
- Inspect the seal between the air conditioner and window frame to ensure cool air isn’t escaping.
If you’re feeling handy, you can knock some of these tasks out yourself. But when in doubt, leave it to the pros.
Outdoor Unit Maintenance
Let’s not forget about the outdoor AC unit. It’s out there in the elements, so it needs extra attention:
- Keep the area around the unit clear of debris and clutter.
- Remove any leaves or dirt from the unit regularly, especially after yard work.
- Hose down the unit if dirt begins to accumulate.
- Keep plants trimmed at least two feet from all sides of the unit to maintain airflow.
These simple steps can make all the difference. One homeowner I worked with had a unit surrounded by tall grass and shrubs, and it was no surprise that it wasn’t cooling efficiently. After clearing the area, their cooling issues disappeared.
Steps you can take yourself
While professionals should handle the more complex tasks, there are a few furnace and AC maintenance things homeowners can do on their own:
If you’re looking to save on energy costs, the first thing I tell clients is to change their HVAC filter regularly. A clogged filter makes the system work twice as hard, increasing your energy consumption and your bill.
Let me tell you about a time when a client of mine, Sarah, was struggling with sky-high energy bills. She couldn’t figure out why her costs were spiking, even though she hadn’t changed her thermostat settings. When I showed up to check things out, the culprit became obvious—her HVAC filter looked like it hadn’t been changed in months. It was completely clogged, forcing the system to work overtime just to keep up. I swapped out the filter right then, and within a week, her energy usage dropped noticeably.
Now, one thing I always remind my clients is that keeping the HVAC filter clean is one of the simplest and most effective ways to save on energy costs. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference it makes—your system doesn’t have to strain, and neither does your wallet. Another trick is to keep the temperature steady while you’re out or asleep. Sarah took that advice too, and between the filter swap and setting her thermostat smartly, she was able to knock a decent chunk off her monthly bills.
When to seek a professional for repair and maintenance
At some point, every system needs more than just a tune-up. If your air conditioner isn’t cooling properly or your furnace is making strange noises, it’s time to call in a professional for your HVAC repair. A well-trained technician will find and fix problems that you might miss.
It’s also important to schedule HVAC seasonal maintenance with a professional twice a year—once in the spring for your air conditioning, and once in the fall for heating. This ensures that your system is ready for the season ahead, reducing the risk of breakdowns.
I always recommend signing up for an HVAC annual maintenance plan to save money in the long run. These HVAC maintenance contracts typically include yearly or quarterly tune-ups and inspections, which can prevent costly repairs down the road.
The Consequences of Ignoring HVAC Service
The consequences of ignoring HVAC maintenance can sneak up on you faster than you’d think. A few years back, I got a call from a homeowner who hadn’t had their system serviced in over five years. By the time I arrived, the damage was so extensive that the system was barely functioning, and what could’ve been a minor repair turned into a full system replacement. It was a hard lesson, but unfortunately, it’s all too common.
When you skip regular HVAC maintenance service, your system begins to break down slowly but surely. Filters clog, coils get dirty, and over time, your HVAC has to work harder to do the same job. This increases your energy bills, strains the system’s components, and shortens its lifespan. Left unchecked, what starts as poor airflow or inconsistent temperatures can turn into major failures like compressor burnout or refrigerant leaks—issues that can cost thousands to repair.
Here are some common warning signs that your HVAC system needs maintenance before it’s too late:
- Unusually high energy bills – If your energy consumption has skyrocketed without any obvious changes, your HVAC system may be working overtime due to dirty filters or faulty parts.
- Inconsistent temperatures – If some rooms are too hot or too cold, it’s often a sign of blocked airflow or an issue with the thermostat.
- Weak airflow – If the air coming from your vents feels weak, it could be due to a clogged filter, duct issues, or a problem with the blower fan.
- Strange noises – Banging, rattling, or grinding noises are a red flag that something is seriously wrong with the system’s components, such as the motor or compressor.
- Frequent cycling – If your HVAC system is turning on and off more frequently than usual, it’s struggling to maintain the temperature, often because of airflow issues or a malfunctioning thermostat.
- Foul smells – Musty, burning, or foul odors coming from your vents could indicate mold growth or electrical issues within the system.
- Poor indoor air quality – Dust, humidity, or strange odors indoors can be a sign that your system isn’t filtering or ventilating air properly.
Ignoring these symptoms can lead to more than just a costly repair—it could result in a complete system failure at the worst possible time. Regular HVAC maintenance catches these issues early, keeping your home comfortable and your wallet intact. So, if your system is showing any of these signs, it’s time to bring in a professional before it’s too late.
