Maintenance

Seasonal HVAC maintenance

The short list of things a homeowner can safely do between professional service visits, and what should stay with a technician.

Hire Best Pros Editorial Team · Updated August 24, 2026

Change the filter on schedule, keep the outdoor unit clear, keep supply and return vents unblocked, and watch the condensate drain in cooling season. Everything involving refrigerant, gas, combustion or electrical components belongs to a licensed technician. Homeowner upkeep helps a system run the way it was installed to run. It does not replace professional service.

What a homeowner can do safely

Replace or clean the air filter at the interval the manufacturer specifies, more often with pets or construction dust
Keep two feet of clearance around the outdoor unit and rinse debris off the fins gently with a hose, power off
Keep supply and return vents open and unblocked by furniture or rugs
Check the condensate drain line for standing water or a full pan during cooling season
Replace thermostat batteries and confirm the schedule is still what you want

Before the heating season

Run the heat for a few minutes on a mild day so a problem surfaces before the first cold night
Listen for new noises and note any burning smell that does not clear after a few minutes
Confirm carbon monoxide alarms are installed near sleeping areas and are working
Clear leaves and snow away from exterior intake and exhaust terminations

Before the cooling season

Run the air conditioning briefly to confirm it starts and cools
Clear the outdoor unit of leaves, cottonwood and grass clippings
Watch for ice on the refrigerant lines, which is a call to a technician rather than something to chip away

Time for a professional tune-up or a repair?

Find HVAC help

Leave these to a licensed technician

Anything involving refrigerant, which is regulated and requires certification
Gas connections, burners, heat exchangers and flue work
Electrical components inside the air handler or condenser
Duct sealing and airflow balancing beyond opening a register

Common questions

How often should the filter be changed?: Follow the filter manufacturer's interval as a starting point and shorten it if the filter looks loaded early. Thicker media filters usually last longer than one-inch filters.
Is an annual tune-up worth it?: A professional visit catches wear, airflow and combustion issues that are not visible to a homeowner, and some manufacturer warranties expect documented maintenance. Ask what the visit includes so you can compare offers.