HVAC Maintenance Checklist for DMV Homeowners

Spring (March, May)

• Change the air filter. Every 1 to 3 months, depending on how hard the system runs.
• Clear the leaves and debris off the outdoor unit and trim plants back 2 feet around it.
• Run the AC once before the first hot week, so a problem shows up while you can still wait for a repair.
• Switch the thermostat to cooling and make sure the house actually cools.
• Book a tune-up. A technician can find refrigerant leaks and worn parts you cannot see.

Summer (June, August)

• Look at the filter every month. Summer dust and pollen clog it fast.
• Pull furniture away from the supply and return vents.
• Watch the electric bill. A sudden jump can mean the system is struggling.
• Keep the condensate drain clear. When it clogs, the water ends up in the ceiling or the floor, and that is the part we usually rebuild.

Fall (September, November)

• Have the furnace inspected before the first cold snap.
• Change the filter again.
• Run the heat for 30 minutes and listen and smell for anything odd.
• Have leaky ductwork sealed, since every leak heats the attic or crawlspace instead of the room.
• Test the carbon monoxide detectors, especially with a gas furnace.

Winter (December, February)

• Keep changing the filter. Heavy furnace use clogs it quickly.
• Keep rugs and furniture off the heat registers.
• Set a steady temperature you can live with. Every degree higher costs more to run.
• Look at the outdoor unit after a freeze. A heat pump that stays iced over needs a technician.

When to Call a Pro

Refrigerant, electrical work, gas connections and ductwork repairs belong to a licensed HVAC technician, not a homeowner with a screwdriver. If a clogged drain or a leak has already damaged a ceiling or a floor, we rebuild that part after the system is fixed.