When Should You Schedule Your HVAC Tune-Up? A Seasonal Timing Guide
Hot summer temperatures and chilly winter ones can push your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to its limits. Ignoring maintenance needs can lead to not only discomfort during a heat wave or freeze, but also to higher energy bills, expensive emergency repairs, a short lifespan for your equipment and poor indoor air quality.
Staying on top of your system’s tune-up schedule can help. The key is timing your service correctly so that your equipment is ready for the upcoming weather and you’re not requesting an appointment during peak demand. Read on for why it’s important to stay on top of air conditioning and heating system’s maintenance, and when to make appointments.
The best time to schedule an HVAC tune-up
Many HVAC professionals recommend an HVAC tune-up done twice a year: in the fall for your heating system and in the spring for your air conditioning. Doing so helps ensure your system will be ready to take on extreme temperatures during the summer and winter, and can mean lower costs since you’re not calling your servicer during their peak seasons.
"The importance of maintenance may change a little depending on where you are in the U.S., but biannual maintenance is the baseline,” says Joey Dooley, general manager at ARS in Texas, who has 23 years of experience in the HVAC industry. “Almost every manufacturer recommends it, and I can tell you that a lot of them also effectively require maintenance if you want to protect your warranty."
But it’s also important to call an expert if your HVAC system is showing signs of trouble, such as making strange noises, not heating or cooling your home properly or frequently shutting off. It’s also worth getting your system looked at if your energy bills are suddenly surging. Don’t ignore warning signs, even if they’re small. It’s much easier to address a small problem than letting it snowball into a larger one when it comes to HVAC systems.
HVAC tune-up check list
A spring tune-up focused on your air conditioning can vary based on your contractor. The same goes for a fall tune-up focusing more heavily on your heating system — the one you’ll want working at its best during the cold winter months.
These service checks tend to take an hour or two. If your contractor finds that the system needs a repair, they may be able to fix it on the spot or need to schedule another appointment to address the issue.
The tune-ups will vary by time of year and your contractor and system, but here are some aspects of the servicing you can expect:
- Checking for air duct blockages and proper air flow
- Replacing air filters
- Ensuring the thermostat is working properly
- Cleaning coils, which absorb heat and moisture from the air
- Inspecting the refrigerant levels and adjusting them if necessary
- Testing the electrical components and tightening or cleaning them if necessary
- Making sure the motor works properly
- Inspecting the furnace to ensure it’s working properly
- Checking for debris in the system (such as sticks and dirt) and cleaning it if necessary
Home service done the right way
How much a tune-up costs (and how to save)
The price for a tune-up will vary based on factors such as where in the country you are and what the servicing will entail. However, Angi, an online marketplace for home services, says that an annual tune-up typically costs between $75 and $200. While you could spend just $10 to $50 to replace an air filter, an AC tune-up in a large home could come out to as much as $750.
Of course, if an inspection leads to the need for repairs, the expense will be higher and can vary significantly depending on what needs to be fixed. But overall, HVAC service contracts will cost you around $150 to $500 annually, according to Angi.
There are ways to save. Keeping your system up-to-date is typically an easy way to avoid costly repairs. For instance, changing your air filters can help keep your system working as efficiently as possible, which means lower costs (and cleaner air). While getting an HVAC tune-up twice a year may seem tedious, it can help prevent system breakdowns that can take a significant chunk out of your savings and cause headaches.
You can also try to limit how much work you require of your system. For instance, a programmable thermostat can help you conserve your system’s energy and keep your home at a comfortable temperature. They can automatically adjust their temperatures based on the time of day so that your home is a cooler temperature when you’re sleeping or away, and warmer when you’re home. You can save as much as 10% annually on heating and cooling costs for setting your thermostat back 7° to 10 °F for eight hours a day from its normal setting, according to the Department of Energy.