HVAC Maintenance Checklist for Homeowners | OKC HVAC

When you call your professional HVAC company for your annual heating and cooling tune-up, they run through their own extensive HVAC maintenance checklist. Things like inspect your duct system, ventilation, wiring, and other complicated components of your system.

It is recommended that you get your HVAC system professionally tuned-up twice a year -- once in the fall for your heating system and another in the spring for your air conditioning. Professionally inspecting your HVAC components before each heating and cooling season could double your system's lifespan and cut your HVAC costs by 30%!

There are, however, many things that any homeowner can do to supplement this professional inspection to keep your HVAC system as efficient and long-lasting as possible. Taking the steps now to prepare your HVAC system will keep your comfort up and your bills down.

HVAC Homeowner Maintenance Checklist

1. Check Your Air Filters

The air filter in your air conditioner helps protect you from breathing in allergens and protects the equipment from the accumulation of dust and debris. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HVAC system air filters should be checked every month for cleanliness during the summer and replaced as needed. The EPA recommends replacing the filter at a minimum of every three months.

2. Schedule a Tune-Up

Preventative maintenance is the most economical way to make certain that your air conditioning system operates at peak performance when you most need it. A well-maintained cooling system lasts longer and needs fewer repairs than a neglected one.

3. Seal and Insulate Air Ducts

Leaks in your air conditioning system’s ductwork can impede the system’s energy efficiency by as much as 25 percent, according to the EPA. Should your seasonal tune up reveal leaks in the network of air ducts that runs through your home, sealing and insulating the ductwork is an affordable solution. The air distribution system will deliver better performance and lower your energy costs as well.

4. Install a Programmable Thermostat

When temperatures rise, it can be tempting to leave your cooling system running while you’re away from home so that you don’t return to a hot and humid environment. A programmable thermostat offers a more affordable option, allowing you to program your air conditioner to adjust temperatures according to your family’s schedule. Some models even let you interface with the device remotely from your computer or mobile device.

5. Consider Replacement

If your air conditioning system is more than ten years old, needs an expensive repair or simply isn't delivering the level of comfort that you want, replacement can be a viable solution. Modern systems are up to 50 percent more efficient than outdated systems and they offer better performance. The experts at INTERSTATE can conduct a cost comparison to ensure that you enjoy the best value.

Read our blog to tell if you should repair of replace your HVAC system.

Print this handy HVAC Maintenance Checklist from HouseLogic for quick reference:

Additional Tips for Your Homeowner Maintenance Checklist:

• Check and replace air filters
• Check and seal HVAC ductwork
• Remove and clean vents and registers, vacuum the inside
• Examine the interior and exterior of your home for air leaks
• Replace any deteriorating caulk and weatherstripping
• Test all GFCI outlets, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Make sure your air vents and registers are unobstructed
• Check and clean your gutters
• Check seals and locks on all doors and windows
• Check all appliances, and plumbing fixtures for leaks
• Clear clogged condensate line if necessary