HVAC Maintenance Inspection Checklist: Is Your Air Conditioner Ready for Summer?
Updated: Oct. 17, 2023
When it gets hot outside, you want it to be nice and cool inside your home. Use this handy checklist to assess your HVAC system and then schedule an appointment for any needed AC maintenance or repairs before summer heats up.
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HVAC Maintenance Checklist:Â Make sure your AC is in good working order to keep you cool.
When it gets hot outside, you want it to be nice and cool inside your home. Use this handy checklist to assess your HVAC system and then schedule an appointment for any needed AC maintenance or repairs before summer heats up.
HVAC Maintenance Checklist 1. Check the air filter.
The air filter in your furnace traps dirt, pollen, dust and other particles during both cooling season and heating season. When those particles build up on the surface of the air filter, they slow the flow of air, so the HVAC blower has to work harder. Check the air filter every month and replace it if it’s dirty.
RELATED: Explore how Sears Home Services can help you repair, replace, or maintain your heating and cooling systems. Learn more here.
HVAC Maintenance Checklist 2. Check the AC vents.
Wipe a pipe cleaner across the louvres that cover the opening to the air conditioner vents in your rooms. Odds are good that you’ll find dust, but if the pipe cleaner also picks up black fuzz, it could be a sign of mold. Have a professional inspect the vents.
HVAC Maintenance Checklist 3. Replace a cracked, frayed or sagging belt.
Furnaces with electric blowers often have fan belts. Every year, turn off power to the unit, remove the front cover and check that the belt is snug and free of cracks.
HVAC Maintenance Checklist 4. Hear strange noises?
Your HVAC system should run pretty quietly. If you hear clanging, banging or other unusual noises, it could be a sign of trouble. Try these steps to fix a noisy air conditioner if it doesn’t work then schedule a visit with an HVAC expert.
Schedule a yearly preventative maintenance checkup.
HVAC systems are complex and should be serviced at least once a year. If your air conditioner or furnace keeps breaking down, it might be time to get a new HVAC system. Most systems last 10 to 14 years if maintained regularly and serviced when needed.
