When was the last time you had your HVAC system inspected? Or even cleaned?
HVAC systems are the unsung heroes of our households. They keep our indoor spaces warm when it’s cold out and cool when it’s warm out. They do this tirelessly every day, and usually without a break!
Of course, as your home’s workhorse, ongoing HVAC maintenance is required to ensure it continues to heat and cool your home without issue. If you’ve never considered HVAC maintenance before, here are five reasons why it’s essential:
1. Does maintenance mean fewer costly repairs?
Yes. One of the most important reasons for HVAC preventative maintenance is to identify potential issues before they become expensive repairs. An experienced HVAC service technician will be able to tell which parts are worse for wear and which are in excellent shape, which means you’ll have the opportunity to fix or replace certain HVAC parts before it’s too late.
2. Does maintenance help my system last longer?
It does. Many heating and cooling systems last 15 years or more with good care. Without regular HVAC maintenance, however, parts wear out sooner. Even if your HVAC system never has a worn-out part, something as simple as a dirty fan can make the motor work harder and burn out faster.
3. Can maintenance lower my energy bills?
A well-functioning HVAC system runs more efficiently. When dirty and worn-out parts put stress on your motor, your HVAC has to work harder to keep your home comfortable. That leads to higher energy bills that tend to creep up as more time goes by.
Keeping up with HVAC maintenance keeps your system running efficiently and your energy bill steadier.
4. Does maintenance help indoor air quality?
When your HVAC system is kept clean and its parts are in good working order, its filter does a better job of trapping pollen, pet dander and dust. That means less dust circulating through your home.
Part of HVAC preventive maintenance is cleaning and checking the filter, which helps keep the air moving through your home cleaner for you and your family.
5. Does maintenance make my system safer and more reliable?
Yes. The last thing you want is for your HVAC system to break down in the middle of summer, when temperatures become uncomfortable. The same goes for winter. Very hot or very cold rooms are hardest on young children, older family members and pets.
By keeping up with regular HVAC maintenance, you help keep the system reliable all year and your family comfortable and safe.
How often should I schedule HVAC maintenance?
Most HVAC professionals recommend scheduling preventative maintenance twice per year to keep your system in the best possible shape: once for cooling and once for heating.
| When | What gets checked |
|---|---|
| Spring, before cooling season | AC tune-up: coils, refrigerant pressures, electrical parts, drain line and airflow |
| Fall, before heating season | Furnace or heat pump check: burners or heating mode, safety controls, venting, electrical parts and airflow |
| Every 1–3 months | Replace the filter yourself |
An AC or furnace maintenance visit is $135. If you’d rather not keep track, our Comfort Club covers it. The Full plan ($18.95/month or $225/year) includes 2 maintenance visits a year for heating and cooling, or a heat pump system. The Single System plan ($9.95/month or $115/year) includes 1 visit a year for one furnace or one AC. Members also get priority service, a $49 diagnostic for Comfort Club members and 15% off repairs.
Key takeaway: Two maintenance visits a year, one before summer and one before winter, plus a fresh filter every 1–3 months, is the simplest way to avoid surprise repairs and keep your system running longer.
If you’ve been putting off maintenance, it’s a good time to get in touch with our air conditioning and heating professionals. Upgrade Home Services is a family-owned HVAC contractor based in Milpitas, licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB #1066776) and serving homeowners since 2002. We work across 22 cities in Santa Clara, San Mateo and southern Alameda counties. Call (408) 649-3198, Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
HVAC maintenance questions
How much does HVAC maintenance cost?
An AC or furnace maintenance visit is $135. Comfort Club plans include maintenance visits: the Full plan is $18.95/month or $225/year for 2 visits a year, and the Single System plan is $9.95/month or $115/year for 1 visit a year.
How often should my HVAC system be serviced?
Twice a year works best for most homes: an AC tune-up in spring and a heating check in fall. Heat pumps run in both seasons, so they benefit from two visits a year too.
What can I do myself between visits?
Replace the filter every 1–3 months, keep about 2 feet clear around the outdoor unit, and don’t close vents in rooms you don’t use. Leave electrical and refrigerant checks to a technician.
Do you maintain all brands?
Yes. We service every major brand, including Amana, Carrier, Payne, Goodman, Daikin and Mitsubishi.
Questions about your system?
Upgrade Home Services is family-owned in Milpitas since 2002. Licensed, CSLB #1066776 · B, C-20. Free estimates on new and replacement systems.