HVAC Maintenance

HVAC Maintenance

What We Actually Do During Maintenance (And Why It Matters)

Maintenance gets sold two ways. First, the scare tactic: "Without annual maintenance, your system will fail!" Second, the hand-wave: "We'll come check your system once a year."

Neither tells you what actually happens during professional HVAC maintenance, why specific tasks matter, and how to tell if you're getting real service or a glorified filter change.

The Two Maintenance Visits

Most HVAC systems need two maintenance visits per year:

Cooling maintenance (March-May): Prepares your air conditioner or heat pump for summer demand.

Heating maintenance (September-November): Prepares your furnace or heat pump for winter demand.

Cooling System Maintenance: What Happens

A thorough cooling tune-up takes 60-90 minutes. Here's every step and why it matters:

Electrical Testing (20-30 minutes)

• Voltage measurements: Low voltage stresses motors; high voltage damages control boards
• Capacitor testing: The #1 failure point in AC systems; a weak capacitor causes 30% of service calls
• Contactor inspection: Pitted contacts cause arcing and energy waste
• Amp draw on motors: Higher amps than rated means problems brewing

Refrigerant System (20-30 minutes)

• Pressure readings: Suction and discharge pressures reveal system health
• Temperature readings: Superheat and subcooling verify correct charge
• Leak inspection: Connection points, coil surfaces, service valve cores

Condenser Coil (15-20 minutes)

The outdoor coil collects dirt, leaves, cottonwood seeds, and grass clippings. A dirty condenser forces the system to work harder—efficiency drops 5-10% with moderate dirt buildup.

We spray the coil with approved cleaner, let it work, and rinse from inside out. We also straighten bent fins that block airflow.

Blower and Air Handler (15-20 minutes)

We check your filter type, measure static pressure (the pressure the blower works against), inspect the blower wheel for dust accumulation, and verify the condensate drain flows freely.

Clogged drains cause water damage and can trigger safety switches that shut down your system.

Thermostat Calibration & System Test

We compare thermostat reading to actual temperature, verify all modes work, and run the system through a complete cycle. Every measurement gets documented for baseline comparison.

Heating System Maintenance: What Happens

Furnace maintenance focuses on combustion safety and heat transfer. A thorough heating tune-up takes 60-90 minutes.

Safety Controls (15-20 minutes)

• High limit switch test: Prevents overheating and fire
• Flame rollout switch: Detects dangerous flame escape from combustion chamber
• Pressure switch testing: Verifies exhaust fan operation before ignition

Combustion Analysis (15-20 minutes)

This is the most important part of furnace maintenance.

• CO testing: Normal is under 50 ppm; above 100 ppm needs attention; above 400 ppm is dangerous
• Combustion efficiency: How completely fuel burns and transfers to air
• Gas pressure verification: Inlet and manifold pressure at the burners
• Flame characteristics: Proper flame is steady, blue with small yellow tips

Heat Exchanger Inspection (15-20 minutes)

The heat exchanger separates combustion gases from your breathing air. Cracks allow carbon monoxide into your home. We inspect for cracks, rust, corrosion, discoloration (hot spots), and observe flame behavior during operation.

Burner and Ignition System (15-20 minutes)

Flame sensor cleaning: A dirty flame sensor causes the most common furnace complaint: "It lights but then shuts off." This takes 5 minutes and prevents the most common no-heat service call.

We also clean burner assemblies, inspect ignitors for cracks, and verify proper operation.

What Maintenance Catches (Real Examples)

Here's what we commonly find that prevents breakdowns:

Electrical Findings

• Weak capacitors: Found on 35% of systems over 5 years old
• Pitted contactors: About 20% of systems over 8 years old
• High amp draw: Early warning of motor or bearing failure

Furnace Findings

• Dirty flame sensor: Found on 40% of furnaces over 5 years old
• Cracked ignitors: Hairline cracks on 15% of older furnaces
• Combustion issues: About 5% show elevated CO or flame problems—safety issues

Real Outcome Data

Systems with annual maintenance versus systems without: 40% fewer breakdowns during peak seasons, 15% lower repair costs when problems do occur, 2-5 years extended equipment life, and maintained efficiency (unmaintained systems lose 5% efficiency per year).

DIY vs. Professional Maintenance

What You Can Do

• Monthly filter checks during heavy-use seasons
• Keep 2 feet clear around outdoor unit
• Pour bleach/vinegar down accessible condensate drain monthly
• Vacuum registers and wash return grilles annually

What Requires a Professional

• Refrigerant handling: EPA certification required by federal law
• Electrical testing: Capacitors can cause serious injury
• Combustion analysis: CO testing requires specialized instruments
• Heat exchanger inspection: Requires training and equipment

How to Tell If You're Getting Real Maintenance

When your technician finishes, you should have:

• A written report with actual data—not just checkmarks
• Time spent: Real tune-ups take 60-90 minutes, not 20 minutes
• Clear communication: No scare tactics, no pressure—just facts

Don't wait for a breakdown to remember your HVAC system exists. Schedule your maintenance before cooling or heating season begins.