Regular maintenance of HVAC systems is crucial for ensuring their efficiency, longevity, and safe operation. Generally, it's recommended that HVAC systems undergo professional maintenance at least once a year. For specific components, such as the furnace and air conditioner, servicing should ideally occur before the start of their respective heavy usage seasons — in the fall for the furnace and in the spring for the air conditioner. This annual maintenance can help identify and fix minor issues before they escalate into major problems, ensuring the system runs smoothly and reducing the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns. Regular filter changes, ideally every three months or as recommended by the manufacturer, are also essential for maintaining air quality and system efficiency. For those with integrated heating systems, it’s important to research boiler and central heating cover as part of their HVAC maintenance routine. This ensures that the heating component of the system is adequately protected and maintained, providing peace of mind and potentially saving costs on repairs and replacements in the long run. Keeping up with regular HVAC maintenance not only enhances the system’s performance but also contributes to energy savings and a comfortable indoor environment throughout the year.
HVAC systems should be checked by a professional once a year. Therefore, if you have a standard central air conditioner or oven, each of these units must be maintained every year. If you have a heat pump system that you use all year round, you'll want to schedule this service once every 6 months. However, the frequency with which you schedule the maintenance session is more important than when you do it.
Once a year, have your HVAC systems inspected by a professional. If you have a typical central air conditioner or oven, you should have each of these pieces of equipment serviced once a year. If you have a heat pump system that you use all year round, this service should be scheduled every six months. Industry professionals suggest calling in trained HVAC technicians twice a year to perform regularly scheduled maintenance on your system.
Ideally, you should have professional service of your system before summer and winter, so that it is in perfect condition to cool or heat your space. Heating and air conditioning equipment, regardless of its type, should be inspected, cleaned and repaired at least once a year. The best case scenario is to check the heating system in the fall and the air conditioning in the spring. Oil-fueled equipment should definitely be cleaned and serviced annually, at the start of each heating season.
It is recommended to inspect each individual unit at least once a year. For the best service experience, HVAC professionals should inspect your heater in the fall. This ensures that you are prepared for winter and, if your cooling system is inspected in the spring, confirms that you can work during the summer heat. If you didn't inspect your air conditioner and ducts last spring, request an inspection soon.
Any signs of damage or deterioration can be repaired immediately. Homeowners should service their HVAC unit at least once a year. If you have an oven and an air conditioner, that means you'll have service for each of them (but at different times of the year). One way to save money and keep your HVAC in top condition is to get an annual HVAC service plan.
HVAC technicians will be less likely to be on the road due to emergency calls during these hours, allowing you to arrange maintenance at your convenience. That's why it's best to avoid the rush with preventive maintenance long before any extreme weather hits to ensure that there's no HVAC breakdown during the summer. Now that you know how often to service your air conditioner, hire an HVAC professional to perform maintenance and extend its life. According to most HVAC system manufacturers, the heating and cooling portion of your HVAC system is serviced once a year.
Compare HVAC service to the maintenance you need for your car: You'll need oil changes, brake service, new belts, and other services for the life of your vehicle. An annual or biannual air conditioning maintenance appointment usually takes between 1 and 2 hours, although this can vary greatly depending on several factors. If you never perform maintenance on your HVAC system, it could cause equipment failure, which means you may not have heating or cooling until you repair it. This being the case, if you implement the eight tips above to lower your monthly utility bill, you can save a lot of money to start doing your annual HVAC maintenance.
