Prevent surprises, save energy
HVAC Maintenance Checklist
A simple, seasonal guide to keep your heating & cooling equipment running efficiently—and help you avoid surprise repairs.
Your HVAC system works hard through Reno’s changing seasons. A little maintenance goes a long way toward preventing future problems and unwanted costs—and it helps your system stay comfortable, efficient, and dependable.
We recommend annual pre-season check-ups to keep your cooling and heating system at peak performance. Contractors get busy once summer and winter arrive, so it’s smart to plan ahead: check the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall. An easy way to remember? Schedule around the time changes.
Below is a practical checklist that covers what a typical maintenance check-up should include, plus a few homeowner-friendly reminders.
Your seasonal maintenance rhythm (spring & fall)
Think of HVAC maintenance like changing the oil in your car: you can push it off for a while, but the cost of neglect usually shows up at the worst time.
- Spring: Focus on cooling performance and airflow so your A/C is ready before the first heat wave.
- Fall: Focus on safe, reliable heating operation so your system is ready before cold nights settle in.
If you’re the type who likes routines, put it on your calendar the same week you change the clocks.
What a thorough visit covers
A typical HVAC maintenance check-up (the core checklist)
During a standard check-up, we look at the system as a whole—not just whether it turns on. Here’s what a thorough visit should include.
Thermostat settings We check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system keeps you comfortable when you’re home—and saves energy while you’re away.
Electrical connections and motor measurements We tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation, reduce the life of major components, and create intermittent problems that are hard to diagnose once they get worse.
Lubrication of moving parts We lubricate all moving parts where applicable. Parts that lack lubrication create friction in motors and increase the amount of electricity you use.
Condensate drain inspection We check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels.
Controls and safety checks We check controls to ensure proper and safe operation. We also check the starting cycle to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.
Air filter replacement We change air filters. A clean filter supports healthier airflow and helps your system run the way it was designed to run.
Spring prep essentials
Cooling-specific checklist (A/C)
When it’s time to prep for summer, cooling performance usually comes down to cleanliness, refrigerant charge, and airflow.
Clean evaporator and condenser coils We clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce your system’s ability to cool your home and can force it to run longer—raising energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
Refrigerant level We check your central air conditioner’s refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant makes the system less efficient, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
Blower cleaning and adjustment We clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce a system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent.
Heating-specific checklist
Before winter, the focus shifts to safe operation and reliable heat.
Fuel connections, pressure, combustion, and heat exchanger We check all gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion, and the heat exchanger. Improperly operating gas (or oil) connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger causes improper burner operation. Either can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.
What you can do between check-ups
Some of the most valuable “maintenance” is simple consistency.
- Keep filters on your radar. If you can’t remember the last time you replaced yours, it’s probably time.
- Pay attention to changes. New noises, weaker airflow, rooms that won’t stay comfortable, or longer run times are all signs to investigate sooner rather than later.
- Don’t ignore moisture. If you notice water where it doesn’t belong, it’s worth checking right away to help prevent damage.
When you want a pro to handle it, we’re here
We’ve been servicing the Reno-Sparks and surrounding areas since 1991. Our goal is complete customer satisfaction through consistent top quality service. We specialize in residential and light commercial heating, air conditioning and ventilation, including building from the ground up, retrofits, repairs, service, and preventative maintenance of HVAC equipment.
If you’d like to schedule seasonal maintenance—or you just want help figuring out what your system needs—call us at 775.853.0304.