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April 30, 2024

Preventative AC Maintenance Checklist

April 30, 2024

Preventative AC Maintenance Checklist

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This holds especially true when it comes to your air conditioner.

Regular HVAC maintenance can prevent an uncomfortable and even dangerous breakdown in the middle of an August heatwave. What’s more, it can save you money on emergency repair costs and monthly energy bills. 

The best time to ensure your AC unit is up to snuff is before the heat hits — but the second-best time is now. So where do you start? In this post, we cover the most important tasks for any AC maintenance checklist.

Replace Filters Regularly

Perhaps the most essential part of air conditioner care is regularly replacing your filters. Dirty or clogged air filters can wreak all sorts of havoc, including the following:

  • Restricting airflow, which lowers the cooling capacity of your system 
  • Reducing efficiency, leading to increased energy consumption
  • Lowering air quality, allowing more dust, pollen, and mold to circulate
  • Increasing wear and tear, causing more frequent breakdowns

As a general rule, experts recommend checking and replacing air filters every one to three months. You may need to change yours more or less often, depending on factors like the following:

  • The number of people in your household
  • Whether you have pets
  • Where you live (for example, polluted or dusty areas may require more frequent changes)
  • The age of your HVAC system and equipment
  • Whether anyone in the home has allergies or other respiratory conditions
  • How often you use your AC and your home (for example, vacation houses may need less frequent changes)

Clean Condenser and Evaporator Coils

Your AC unit works by circulating refrigerant throughout the system. Indoors, the refrigerant in evaporator coils absorbs the heat from the air. Outdoors, a fan blows over the coils to release the heat from the refrigerant. If either of these coils gets dirty, it can impair heat transfer, reduce cooling efficiency, and increase energy consumption.

As part of your cooling system upkeep, you should clear leaves and other debris from the condenser unit outside. While you can also clean the evaporator coils yourself, that is not always as simple. Indoor coils are attached to a furnace and may be located in a basement, crawlspace, or attic.

Professional AC technicians have the tools and expertise to clean your coils without damaging them. You can ensure optimal performance by scheduling annual AC tune-ups, which may include the following: 

  • Cleaning dirt, debris, and blockages from the coils
  • Inspecting for holes, bends, and cracks
  • Checking for refrigerant leaks
  • Acid-washing particularly dirty coils

Inspect and Clean Air Ducts

While refrigerant flows through your AC system’s coils, air flows through ducts in your walls and ceilings. Dust, debris, pet hair, pollen, and other contaminants accumulate inside your ductwork over time. As dirt builds up, you may experience reduced airflow, poor indoor air quality, and higher utility costs.

You can reduce the amount of debris in your ductwork by reducing clutter in your home, vacuuming floor vents every six months, and changing air filters according to manufacturer guidelines. 

Every three to five years, you should also schedule a professional duct cleaning service to ensure the efficient operation of your HVAC system. You may want to call for service sooner if you notice air leaks, torn pieces, spots of mold, damp areas, large amounts of debris, or eroded duct tape in or around your ductwork.

Certified HVAC specialists will do the following:

  • Inspect your air ducts for leaks, blockages, and proper seals
  • Use a powerful HEPA-filtered vacuum to clean your ductwork, as well as other important components like your evaporator coil, blower, and vent covers
  • Blow compressed air through your AC system to eliminate all traces of dirt and dust
  • Clean all of your vents

Check and Calibrate Thermostat

Another key climate control maintenance task is calibrating your thermostat. Even if all your AC components are well maintained, a faulty thermostat can cause the system to malfunction. Calibration issues can produce erratic cooling cycles, inconsistent temperatures, and higher energy bills.

To check the calibration, simply tape an accurate thermometer next to your home’s thermostat. After 15 minutes, compare the temperature readings on each device. If they vary by more than three degrees, it may be time to call for professional air conditioning service.  

Schedule Annual Professional AC Maintenance

There are many tasks you can and should do as a homeowner to keep your HVAC system running smoothly. However, these are no substitute for scheduling annual professional AC maintenance. Besides the items on the checklist above, licensed technicians will assess the following: 

  • Refrigerant — Inspect refrigerant lines, check refrigerant levels, and test for leaks
  • Condensate drains — Inspect drain lines and pans for debris and cracks to prevent water backups
  • Electrical — Inspect electrical wiring, tighten all connections, and check for exposed wires
  • Lubrication — Lubricate all moving parts, including motors and bearings where needed
  • The system controls — Ensure your AC is starting, cycling, and turning off properly
  • AC leveling — Make sure the ground hasn’t shifted beneath your outdoor unit, causing it to break or disconnect
  • Supply/return differential — Ensure the temperature difference between supply and return vents is within the ideal range
  • Motors — Inspect and test the compressor, condenser, and blower motors for wear and tear and proper operation

Expert AC maintenance can help keep your system operating at maximum capacity while preventing unexpected breakdowns. In addition, it can save you on both repair costs and energy bills.

A bonus? It may help you maintain your warranty. Many HVAC units come with a manufacturer’s warranty in case parts don’t last as long as they should. However, the fine print often includes a requirement to have your unit serviced annually by a professional HVAC technician.

Want Expert HVAC Help? Contact Comfort Squad Today!

Whether you’ve reached the end of your DIY AC maintenance checklist or you’d rather leave it all to the pros, contact Comfort Squad today. We are ready to handle all your HVAC needs in the greater Houston area.

From AC maintenance and repair to furnace replacement and home energy audits, we can do it all! Call us today at 281-908-2100 to schedule service. 


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Comfort Squad

Heating & Cooling


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Joe D.
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Joseph was very professional and informed me that everything on the system was good. Thanks Joseph!Erik Rameriz did a great job and is always professional and knowledgeable! Thanks Erik!
metrad0302
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Joseph L. was great ! He was very helpful and was able to answer any questions. Very professional!
Angie R.
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Joseph did Great work, explain everything welk, very professional.
Binh N.
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Technician Joseph Le Was very informative and knowledgeable.
jose B.
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Anthony D.
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Joseph was a great rep. He was very helpful!
Lisa M.
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Joseph came out to do our tune up - he was great and extremely knowledgeable! Amazing job !These guys are so professional and extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend this company for no other reason that their technicians are amazing.
Jeff C.
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Super personable! Very thorough! Amazing work and great customer service! Joseph was thorough and very helpful!!! Very knowledgeable about his craft!
Jennah D.
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Joseph did a great job. He was quick and explained everything very well.
John E.
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Joseph did a great job, and we appreciate his hard work.
Tom F.
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Joseph did a wonderful job
Kimberly Von D.
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My family has used Comfort Squad for years. They always provide great services and are extremely professional.
Paul L.
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Comfort Squad has helped me out so much with setting up my thermostat and AC.They are very professional and reliable. When they make an appointment with you they always arrive when they say they will. The technician was very helpful and informative. I appreciate their services.
Catherine M.
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Erik did a great job of inspecting the issue and providing a great solution. He was very thorough and professional. The turn around time was quick. I highly recommend Erik and Comfort Squad.
Family X’s 4
1730735577
Joseph performed the maintenance getting ready for winter before it gets busy. Always on time, always thorough explaining everything and always courteous. Comfort Squad continues to be my go to for all my AC heating needs.Best ever from first phone call to install to customer service to response time. Affordable, honest, AMAZING communication from all departments, prompt and on time, very respectful and courteous staff. Answered all questions and never falsified issues that didn’t exist and I was not pressured with a fake sales pitch. The response to my very first phone call is what sold me. Their after hour service actually answers with a live person!!! Second they offered to bring me portable AC units until our scheduled appointment and this was even before a committed install. And they kept their appointment as scheduled. Wonderful experience and recommend to all. So so happy and I know what a nasty, lying, con artists AC company is with my nightmare from way below hell with Royal AC. Royal AC will royally screw you but Comfort Squad brought immediate comfort. Thank you from our family for giving back my trust in an honest company as yours!!
Laura A.
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Erik was extremely polite, punctual and helpful! Great service!
mary G.
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Joseph was very professional
Kathryn M.
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Joseph Le came out this morning to service my AC/heater unit. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. He explained to us about the insulation and we were able to purchase it and have it installed within a week. We appreciate the Comfort Squad.
ro “A's U.
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Experience and excellent services. Very helpful. Installation team did a great job and kept up with housekeeping during and before completion. Called and checked up on everything even months after which was a blessing. Highly recommend comfort squad
Elizabeth C.
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Joseph was great explaining everything that was needed.
Alejandro Flores P.
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Very professional and efficient getting the job done. We’re very responsive and attentive since the initial call.
Chioma J.
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Joseph was very kind and explained what he found in my hearing and cooking systems. He was professional and informative.
DRIECA H.
1729961157
Joseph L was exceptionally professional! Explained everything in detail annnnnd cleaned up! Nice young man!
Wayne C.
1729954502
I highly recommend comfort squad for all your air conditioning and hearing needs. They are very professional and explained everything to me so I can understand. Joseph came out to do my heating tune and I appreciate his honesty and professionalism.
Aniceto Y.
1729885474
Very good
Bill L.
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Joseph did my heating tune up and he was very knowledge and Professional about my system. Thank you for coming out and serving my unit.Eric was professional knowledgeable and extremely friendly thanks a million for having employees like this
Michael V.
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Joseph was professional and very knowledgeable about the AC and heating system.
Sue C.
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Dependable and tech explained everything in detail and showed videos of what he checked. He was excellent.
Hang N.
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Joseph was great!
Trisha S.
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Joseph did an incredible job!
manuel E.
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Great service will recommend to anyoneJoseph came by today to maintance on my heater and he did a great job thank you
Vanessa S.
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Joseph was amazing! Quick and took care of everything. Super helpful and polite as well.
Miz G.
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Joseph did an amazing job, he was quick and efficient.
Tito E.
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Joseph was great, answered all my questions, and Great overall service
Alvin A.
1729274325
Joseph came and did my heating tune up. He was very professional and explained to me what was going on with the system. I’m very happy with how he serviced my unit. He was very professional, courteous, and kind! Thank you so much!
Maggie A.
1729266842
Joseph was straight forward. He assisted with getting me rhe best option at discount price. Especially since things ha e been hard financially for mw past 4 to 5 years. Thank youFrancisco is always friendly and shares all info about my system. Great company
Kimberlyn G.
1729202346
Update:Sign up for their membership. It helps a lot. You get 2 maintenance/tune up. 1 before the summer and 1 before the winter starts. I recommend asking for Joseph Le as he recently serviced our system. He’s very knowledgeable and he was able to explain the process as much as possible to me. He explained what exactly they’re looking for to ensure everything is working properly. Definitely recommend his services.Original:I would totally recommend Comfort Squad to anyone having HVAC issues. Our AC went down after almost 15 years of service on a weekend. Comfort Squad was referred to us by a family friend so I called in Monday morning. They had a technician, Luis, come by our home to do an inspection and gave us a free quote. Luis was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions regarding the different Trane systems they have available. We were in between three different systems and Luis gave us a quote for all 3. He was even nice enough to add in a replacement of all our grills without an added fee.Fast forward the day of our appointment. Erik Ramirez was the technician in charge of replacing our system. Erik and his team were phenomenal. There was a slight miscommunication about the grills but Erik was quick to make sure that we get them as well so he went back to the store while his team worked. They were quick but accurate. When I had a question, Erik was quick to give an answer. We are more than satisfied with our new hvac system and we thank the entire Comfort Squad team but with a shoutout to Erik and his team. Oh and may I add that Erik even upgraded our thermostat and I didn’t even ask. Definitely ask for them if you’re gonna get a system from Comfort Squad. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
CYNTHIA P.
1729100313
Being using Comfort Squad for years. Always great service, have my qtrly maintenance and never have had issues! Today Joseph serviced our qtlry! Great job as always !
Carmen M.
1729094613
Joseph was very detailed in everything he explained about my unit and the purification system. Very friendly, pleasant and professional.
Paul M.
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Joseph was great!! This was the first I had him in my house for maintenance, and he was very good! Very thorough with his inspection and explained everything to me.
Steven Sookraj (.
1729022094
Joseph and Fransisco came by the house and we're really friendly. They were pretty thorough while checking up on our AC unit and even walked me through the stats that they check so that I could understand how my AC was running.As someone who isn't too knowledgeable about AC units, I appreciate that they took the time to walk me through the process.
Seema R.
1728924150
Joseph and Eric came out maybe less than an hour after contacting Comfort Squad. I’m so glad my coworker told me about them. They were professional and thorough and I’m scheduled for my units to be taken care of this week.
Kristy P.
1728418879
Joesph did an amazing job was very clear about what needed to be done and fixed. Very friendly and kind and respectful. Everything went smooth and great
Jerry G.
1728174836
Mr. Erik Ramirez came to my house to service my ac.He was on time and very professional. After a few moments of looking at the unit, he was able to fix the problem with ease . He was very informative and even showed me how to operate the phone app for my ac soft start. Very nice and pleasant to talk with.Thanks for your help Erik.
siraj P.
1728068927
Joseph Lee came and did an excellent job checking my A/C unit out . He helped me troubleshoot my problem in a professional manner would definitely recommend
Johnny C.
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Joseph did and excellent job and explained everything very great.
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