Air Conditioner Maintenance

You don’t have to be an HVAC expert to take care of your air conditioner. Follow these tips to keep your system running well and catch problems before they escalate.

AC Maintenance: Routine Tasks and Tips for Homeowners

By Anne Fonda with expert review by a Trane Residential HVAC Training Manager

If you want to save money on air conditioner repairs and replacements, the best thing you can do is regularly maintain your unit. Small AC maintenance tasks like changing the filter and keeping debris away from your unit will help keep your air conditioner running smoothly and your home at your ideal temperature.

For the tasks you can’t do on your own, make sure you schedule regular maintenance with an expert HVAC technician to save yourself time, money, and headaches later on.

What does DIY central AC system maintenance include?

Change your AC filters:

This is probably the most important AC unit maintenance task. In reality, it’s the most important HVAC maintenance task no matter the season. Your HVAC system’s air filter helps protect your system and improve indoor air quality (IAQ) by trapping dust, dander, lint, and other harmful particles.

Plan on changing your air filter every 1-3 months. Your thermostat may display a message telling you it’s time. Otherwise, you can set a recurring event in your smartphone calendar. When it’s time to change your HVAC filter, follow these easy steps:

Locate your air filter. It’s typically next to the air handler or furnace, but can also be behind an air return vent, which can be on the ceiling or floor in a central part of your home.
Before you change the air filter, make sure your unit is off completely, so you can prevent dirty air from circulating while no filter is installed.
After locating the filter, unhook the latch on the cover or filter slot. If there is dust buildup on the outside, be sure to wipe it down with a damp cloth.
From there, you should be able to slide out your old filter and replace it with a new one, then simply secure the cover back on.
Don’t forget, if you have multiple HVAC systems, such as one for upstairs and one for downstairs, you’ll have multiple filters to change!

For more details on filter maintenance and selecting the right filter, check out these blogs.

Ensure the supply registers and return air vents are clear: Your HVAC system needs proper airflow to operate most efficiently. In addition to changing the air filters, make sure the supply registers and return air vents aren’t blocked. This can mean moving furniture, tying back long drapes, and more.

Keep the area around the outdoor unit clear: It’s important to keep the area surrounding your outdoor AC clean and debris-free to promote good airflow. A good rule of thumb is to not to let any plants grow within a 2-foot radius of your air conditioner. If plants, trees, vines, or weeds grow too close to your AC, it could interfere with its functionality.

Consider WeatherGuard™ protection: While air conditioners are designed to withstand most environmental conditions, if you live in a place with a lot of snowfall or rain, consider covering your unit, using a breathable protective cover. It should only be used in the winter season when the AC is not operating. Never run the AC with the protective cover in place.

Don’t use a tarp or other solid covering, as it can trap moisture, promoting corrosion, mold, and mildew growth.

The WeatherGuard™ top is included with some Trane air conditioners, but is also available as an add-on accessory. Used in the off-season, it keeps more leaves and debris out, keeping internal components cleaner longer. Its concave top and corners effectively channel rain and snow away from your air conditioner, helping to prevent rust and corrosion.

How often should you schedule professional AC maintenance?

In general, an annual air conditioner maintenance visit should be adequate. Schedule central ac unit maintenance in the spring before the cooling season begins. It’s important to have your air conditioner serviced regularly by an HVAC professional to help avoid your air conditioner breaking down on the hottest day of the year.

What do AC maintenance services include?

air conditioner maintenance tips ac repairman

Before scheduling professional maintenance, ask to see their AC maintenance checklist, so you know what’s included and what’s not. Some HVAC companies charge extra for certain tasks. If you have an HVAC maintenance plan, you may already have a copy of the checklist.

During routine AC maintenance and tune-ups, an HVAC technician will inspect and clean all parts of your air conditioner. They will also perform a test run of your AC to make sure it’s running properly. Below are some of the items that may be included in regular central air conditioner maintenance.

Check the thermostat for accurate function and settings
Tighten electrical connections
Measure voltage and amps and correct issues
Lubricate moving parts
Inspect and clean the AC condensate drain line and drain pan as needed

Check system controls
Clean the outdoor condenser coil and indoor evaporator coil as needed, most likely with an additional charge
Check the refrigerant charge
Inspect the blower motor and wheel
Change the filter if needed

What does AC maintenance cost?

An annual AC maintenance visit should run between $100 and $350. Your annual AC system maintenance cost may be more if you have an older system that hasn’t been properly maintained. It could also be less if you have an HVAC maintenance plan.

The cost of AC maintenance can fluctuate depending on where you live and the cost of labor in your area.

What if the technician says I need AC repair?

If the HVAC technician finds something that needs to be repaired, the cost of parts and repairs is not included in the AC maintenance charge. They may be able to do a simple parts replacement at the same visit (with your permission), but larger repairs may require scheduling a separate visit.

You will need to pay for the AC repair. Again, your cost may be lower if you have an HVAC maintenance plan that offers a discount on parts. Depending on the age and condition of your system, the technician may recommend that you start planning for AC replacement sooner rather than later.

Watch for the top warning signs that you need AC replacement.

3 additional air conditioner maintenance tips for homeowners

Properly close doors and windows

The less cool air that escapes your home, the faster your central AC unit will cool your home and the less it will have to work overall. When your air conditioning system is on, make sure your doors and windows are closed. Lock windows for a tight seal and for security.

Install a smart thermostat

Installing a Trane smart thermostat will help ensure that your air conditioner provides energy-efficient comfort. Smart thermostats let you program your home’s temperature for different times of the day and days of the week. By raising the temperature when you’re away from home, you can reduce your energy consumption.

Plus, you can use the Home App to control your system from anywhere, at any time. With geofencing, your thermostat will trigger a temperature decrease as you’re nearing home, or a temperature increase when you leave.

Consider opting in to remote monitoring

If you have a Trane smart thermostat, consider opting in to Trane Diagnostics via the Home App. This enables your Trane dealer to see performance data and other information about your HVAC system via remote monitoring.

This means they can see signs of small problems before they become big ones. They will receive alerts for maintenance scheduling, system malfunctions, and more. If you grant them one-time Dealer Remote Access, they can troubleshoot a problem remotely and sometimes fix it remotely.

If they need to schedule an on-site visit, the HVAC technician will arrive with the knowledge gleaned and the necessary parts, saving you and the HVAC company time and money.

Anne Fonda

Content Writer, Trane Technologies

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.