A Year-Round HVAC Maintenance Schedule For Washington Homeowners
Most HVAC breakdowns announce themselves months in advance. Here is a simple calendar that catches them.
Spring: March to May
- Book the AC tune-up before the first warm week, not during it
- Replace the filter
- Clear leaves, blackberry and debris from around the outdoor unit, 18 inches clear all round
- Rinse the condenser coil gently, power off at the disconnect
- Run cooling for 15 minutes on a mild day to confirm it works before you need it
Summer: June to August
- Check the filter monthly, more often during smoke season
- Watch for water around the indoor unit, which means a clogged drain
- Listen for new noises from the condenser
- Keep every supply register open
Fall: September to November
- Book the furnace tune-up before the first cold snap
- Replace the filter
- Test the heat early, so a fault is found in mild weather
- Test carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries
- Clear the high-efficiency furnace intake and exhaust terminations outside
Winter: December to February
- Keep snow and ice clear of heat pump outdoor units
- Check the filter monthly, heating runs constantly here
- Watch for short cycling or new noises
- Confirm the condensate drain is not freezing on high-efficiency furnaces
What to leave to a technician
Refrigerant work, anything requiring gauges, opening sealed electrical compartments, gas components, and cleaning an evaporator coil. Those need tools, training and in some cases certification.
What it saves you
Not a fortune per visit. What it does is move failures from August and January into April and October, when a technician can get to you the same day and the house is not unbearable while you wait. See HVAC maintenance for what our seasonal visits cover. You can book in any Washington city — Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver or Yakima — from our service areas page.
Need this fixed rather than explained? Call (888) 380-4427 any hour, or find your city on our service areas page.