September 12, 2026 · 8 min read
Your HVAC system is the most expensive mechanical equipment in your home. A furnace and AC combo costs $7,000–$15,000 to replace. Regular maintenance extends its life, prevents breakdowns, and keeps your energy bills in check. Here's what to do, when to do it, and what to leave to a professional.
Monthly Tasks (Year-Round)
- Check your air filter. Hold it up to a light — if you can't see light through it, replace it. A clogged filter is the #1 cause of HVAC problems and the easiest to prevent.
- Listen for unusual sounds. Grinding, banging, squealing, or clicking that wasn't there before usually means something is wearing out. Catching it early is a $150 repair; ignoring it becomes a $1,500 one.
- Check your thermostat. Make sure it's reading the correct temperature and the schedule is set for the current season.
Spring: Air Conditioning Prep (March–April)
- Clear debris around the outdoor unit. Trim plants, remove leaves and grass clippings, and ensure 2 feet of clearance on all sides.
- Rinse the outdoor coil. Use a garden hose (not a pressure washer) to spray the fins from inside out. Dirty coils reduce efficiency by 20–30%.
- Check the condensate drain line. Pour a cup of white vinegar down the drain to prevent algae clogs. A clogged drain can cause water damage and trigger a system shutdown.
- Schedule a professional spring tune-up. A technician will check refrigerant levels, test electrical components, clean the evaporator coil, and verify the system is ready for summer.
Fall: Furnace Prep (September–October)
- Replace the air filter. Start the heating season with a fresh filter.
- Test the furnace. Switch to HEAT mode and verify warm air comes from the registers within 5 minutes.
- Check CO detectors. Replace batteries and test every unit. Replace detectors older than 5–7 years.
- Clear 3 feet around the furnace. Remove boxes, cleaning supplies, and anything flammable.
- Schedule a fall furnace tune-up. A technician will inspect the heat exchanger, test gas pressure, clean the burner assembly, check safety controls, and verify ignition.
What a Professional Tune-Up Covers (That You Can't DIY)
| Task | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Heat exchanger inspection | A cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide. This is a safety-critical check. |
| Gas pressure testing | Too high = fire risk; too low = incomplete combustion and wasted fuel. |
| Electrical connection check | Loose connections cause intermittent failures and can damage components. |
| Refrigerant level check (AC) | Low refrigerant means poor cooling and compressor damage. |
| Airflow measurement | Verifies ductwork is delivering the right volume to each room. |
The Cost of Skipping Maintenance
We see it every January: a furnace that hasn't been serviced in 3–5 years fails on the coldest night of the year. The repair bill is higher (emergency rates, expedited parts), the house is cold for hours or days, and often the failure was something a tune-up would have caught months earlier. A maintenance plan typically costs less per year than a single emergency visit.
Get ahead of the season.
Call PJ's at (740) 382-6141 to schedule a tune-up or ask about our maintenance membership. Priority scheduling, no overtime rates, and peace of mind.