Seasonal HVAC Maintenance: What Your System Needs Year-Round
Proper HVAC maintenance isn’t just a recommendation—it’s the key to keeping your system running efficiently and reliably through every season. Whether you’re gearing up for summer heat or winter’s chill, seasonal checkups ensure your air conditioning, furnace, heat pump, or boiler operates safely and effectively when you need it most. Here’s a breakdown of what professional maintenance typically includes for each system, depending on the time of year.
Spring Maintenance – Air Conditioning
As warmer weather approaches, it’s essential to prepare your air conditioner for the increased workload. A spring tune-up helps improve energy efficiency, prevent breakdowns, and keep your home comfortable. Key maintenance tasks include:
- Replace air filter (standard 1″ thick)
- Check compressor amperage
- Clean indoor coil (if necessary)
- Inspect all fan motors
- Clean and flush condensate drain & trap
- Inspect and clean outdoor unit coil
- Test all electrical components
- Check refrigerant levels (refrigerant is extra)
- Measure air temperature output
- Ensure full system operation
Fall Maintenance – Gas Furnace
Before colder temperatures arrive, your gas furnace should be carefully inspected and cleaned. This reduces the risk of carbon monoxide leaks, improves performance, and helps your system last longer. Fall gas furnace service includes:
- Replace air filter (standard 1″ thick)
- Check heat exchanger for cracks or damage
- Clean and flush condensate drain & trap
- Verify proper flame operation
- Clean and inspect flame sensor
- Clean burner tubes
- Visually inspect gas lines
- Verify intake/exhaust function
- Test internal fan motor
- Check ignition system
- Inspect and test all safety devices
- Run system to verify operation
- Check pressure switches
- Check gas pressures
Fall Maintenance – Oil Boiler or Oil Furnace
Oil-fired systems require detailed cleaning and adjustments to maintain safe and efficient operation. An annual fall service is essential for performance and safety:
- Change nozzle
- Replace air filter (standard 1″ thick)
- Clean smoke pipe
- Check safety control lock-out time
- Clean or replace pump screen
- Clean burner & nozzle assembly
- Clean combustion chamber and chimney base
- Clean heat exchanger
- Oil motors
- Check circulator
- Adjust and inspect electrodes
- Test ignition transformer
- Check coil gasket
- Inspect and/or drain expansion tank
- Check relief valve
- Run efficiency test
Fall Maintenance – Heat Pump
Heat pumps serve double duty year-round, so seasonal servicing is vital—especially before winter. Fall maintenance focuses on heating performance and system reliability:
- Replace air filter (standard 1″ thick)
- Check compressor amperage
- Inspect all fan motors
- Clean and flush condensate drain & trap
- Clean outdoor unit coil (if necessary)
- Inspect all electrical components
- Check air temperature output
- Inspect defrost cycle
- Test system operation in heating mode
- Refrigerant is extra
Schedule Seasonal HVAC Maintenance
Regular maintenance not only extends the life of your HVAC system but also helps you avoid costly repairs and uncomfortable surprises. Whether you heat your home with gas, oil, or a heat pump—or cool it with central air conditioning—we’re here to help you stay comfortable year-round.
Need to schedule your seasonal tune-up?