HVAC Maintenance: The Key to HVAC Efficiency
Summary: Regular HVAC maintenance can enhance system efficiency, enhance home comfort, and save you money in the long run. Schedule in the spring and fall for best results.
By Anne Fonda
Your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is arguably the hardest-working mechanical system in your home. It’s also one of the most expensive to replace. But by maintaining your heating and cooling system, you can reap the benefits.
Think of HVAC maintenance like maintaining your car. You get regular oil changes, brake service, tire rotations, and more to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive and you get the best fuel efficiency. You likely have a favorite mechanic. Develop a similar relationship with a local HVAC company.
What are the benefits of a preventative maintenance plan for my HVAC system?
If you like the convenience of a dentist who schedules your next six-month visit while you’re still in the office, you might like the convenience of an HVAC maintenance plan. When you sign an HVAC maintenance contract, the HVAC company reaches out to you to schedule maintenance each fall and spring.
The benefits of such a plan can include:
- Convenience
- Increased comfort
- Increased energy efficiency
- Improved indoor air quality (IAQ)
- Peace of mind
- Priority scheduling
- Discount on parts
- Discount on filters or filters included
- Lower repair costs
- Potential waiver of service fees
- Nominal cost
- Potentially prolong the life of your system
Most HVAC maintenance agreements cover annual HVAC system maintenance. So, you’ll get a visit in the spring for AC or heat pump maintenance, and in the fall for furnace or air handler maintenance.
What does HVAC maintenance cost?
Your HVAC maintenance cost will vary based on the type of system you have, if you have more than one system, where you live, and other factors. Although the annual cost may range from $175-$350, most companies offer a monthly payment plan, ranging from $15-$30 a month.
Not sure who to hire? If you have a new HVAC system, go with the company that installed it. This can help make any warranty issues go more smoothly. If you’re new to the area, read our blog on how to choose the right HVAC contractor for some tips on finding reliable HVAC service.
The dangers of failing to do HVAC maintenance
Just like failing to take your car in for an oil change or getting the brakes checked can cause a drop in fuel efficiency and safety, neglecting HVAC maintenance has negative consequences. Those can include:
- Decreased comfort
- Higher energy costs
- Costly AC repair bills
- Expensive furnace repair bills
- More frequent heat pump repairs
- Potentially voiding your warranty
- Decreased lifespan of your HVAC system
You can help avoid these negative consequences by maintaining your system. Taking care of routine maintenance can increase your comfort, keep your system running efficiently, decrease the need for repairs, and potentially prolong the life of your HVAC system.
Keep reading for information on what HVAC maintenance includes.
DIY maintenance year-round
There are HVAC maintenance tasks you can perform yourself. Perhaps the most important task to keep your system operating efficiently is changing your HVAC system’s air filter regularly. A clogged or dirty filter can cause your system to work harder to heat or cool your home. This can dramatically decrease the efficiency of even the most energy-efficient HVAC system.
Clogged filters can lead to a system overheating and shutting down, a frozen evaporator coil, and even a cracked heat exchanger. Save yourself from expensive repair bills and headaches, and change the filter every 1-3 months, depending on the quality of the air filter. Check out our HVAC Filter Maintenance Guide for some tips.
In addition, provide unrestricted airflow to your HVAC system by keeping shrubs and plant life two feet away from the outdoor unit. If you have a heat pump and it snows, clear the snow off the top and away from the sides of the unit. Finally, make sure indoor registers and return air vents are not blocked by rugs, drapes, or furniture.
Proper airflow is essential to your HVAC system’s energy-efficient operation.
Professional AC maintenance once a year
Air conditioner maintenance should be performed at least once a year. An AC unit maintenance checklist can include:
- Cleaning the condenser coil
- Cleaning the evaporator coil
- Clearing the condensate drain line and drain pan/replacing if needed
- Checking the refrigerant level and refrigerant lines
- Checking the electrical connections
- Cleaning and lubricating moving parts
- Testing the system
- Changing the filter, if needed
- Checking the thermostat for accuracy
- And more
Like dirty filters, dirty coils can reduce efficiency. They may not need cleaning at every maintenance visit, depending on how hard you run your air conditioning system.
Your HVAC maintenance plan should spell out what’s included. If the HVAC technician discovers problems, they may be able to make small repairs or replace parts during the same visit. Larger, more time-consuming repairs will need to be scheduled for a later date.
Professional heat pump maintenance twice a year
Since your heat pump does double duty by cooling AND heating your home depending on the season, we recommend scheduling heat pump maintenance twice a year. This should be once before the cooling season and again before the heating season.
Heat pump maintenance can include:
- Cleaning the condenser coil
- Cleaning the evaporator coil
- Clearing the condensate line and drain pan/replacing if needed
- Checking the refrigerant level and refrigerant lines
- Checking the reversing valve
- Checking the electrical connections
- Cleaning and lubricating moving parts
- Testing the system
- Changing the filter, if needed
- Checking the thermostat for accuracy
- And more
Again, if the HVAC technician discovers problems, they may be able to make small repairs or replace parts during the same visit. You will need to schedule larger, more time-consuming repairs for a later date.
Schedule heat pump maintenance
Professional furnace maintenance once a year
Annual furnace maintenance before the heating season starts can help ensure your home is warm and toasty the first time the temperatures drop in the fall. A furnace tune-up can include:
- Inspect and clean the ignitors and burners
- Clean and lubricate moving parts
- Inspect and tighten electrical connections
- Inspect the control board
- Inspect the gas valve
- Inspect the heat exchanger(s)
- Test for gas leaks or carbon monoxide leaks
- Check the thermostat
- Change the filter, if needed
- And more
Professional air handler maintenance once a year
If you have a heat pump system or live in a mild climate, your indoor unit may be an air handler. It, too, needs to be maintained. We would recommend annual air handler maintenance. An HVAC technician can check it once a year at the same visit as they check your heat pump, or during an alternating visit.
An air handler maintenance can include:
- Cleaning the evaporator coil
- Clean and lubricate moving parts (blower motor, fan, etc.)
- Check for mold or excessive condensation
- Check and tighten electrical connections
- Inspect the control board
- Check hydronic or electric heating option
- Change the filter, if needed
Schedule air handler maintenance
Work with your local Trane dealer
Contact your local Trane dealer today to schedule HVAC maintenance. Ask about a maintenance plan and what it includes. If you sign up for an HVAC service agreement today, you may be able to save money on the initial visit.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager, Ducted Outdoor
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