Your Los Angeles HVAC maintenance checklist should include seasonal filter changes, system inspections, duct cleaning, refrigerant checks, and professional tune-ups.
Living in Los Angeles means dealing with scorching summer heat, wildfire smoke in the fall, allergy flare-ups in spring, and chilly nights in winter. Each season brings unique challenges for your HVAC system. Neglecting routine maintenance can drive up your energy bills, circulate dust and allergens through your home, and leave you sweating through an AC breakdown right in the middle of a heatwave.
The solution? Following a consistent maintenance and tune-up schedule. At Season Control Heating & Air Conditioning, we follow a comprehensive HVAC annual maintenance checklist tailored to LA homes. Call (818) 275-8487 or book heating and cooling maintenance in LA now.
Keep reading to learn what our routine HVAC maintenance checklist includes:
Spring HVAC Maintenance Checklist
A spring maintenance checklist may include replacing air filters, cleaning ductwork, thermostat configuration, and clearing the outdoor unit.
The spring season brings warmer days, blooming plants, and, unfortunately, more allergens into Los Angeles homes. It’s also the ideal time to prepare your HVAC system for the heavy workload ahead. By handling a few key maintenance tasks now, you’ll enjoy cleaner indoor air, lower energy bills, and reliable cooling before summer heat kicks in.
Replace or Clean Air Filters
Pollen and dust can clog filters and circulate allergens throughout your home. Replacing filters every 1 – 3 months can keep the indoor air fresh and reduce allergy symptoms.
Inspect and Clean Ductwork
Dust, mold spores, and dander often build up in ducts after winter. A spring duct cleaning ensures strong airflow and healthier indoor air during allergy season.
Check the Thermostat Settings
Verify your thermostat is accurate and responsive. If you still have an older model, upgrade to a smart thermostat to reduce energy consumption and keep your home comfortable.
Clear the Outdoor Unit
Remove dirt, leaves, and debris from around your condenser unit. Unobstructed airflow will reduce unnecessary wear on key components.
Summer HVAC Maintenance Plan
A summer HVAC maintenance plan may include changing air filters, cleaning condenser coils, checking for refrigerant leaks, inspecting vents, and troubleshooting.
Summer in Los Angeles means long stretches of high temperatures and heavy AC use. Your system will be working harder than any other time of year, so it’s important to prepare it for peak demand.
Change Air Filters More Frequently
During summer, your AC runs almost nonstop, which clogs filters faster. Swap them out every month to maintain airflow and reduce strain on the system.
Clean Condenser Coils
Outdoor units in LA collect dust from busy streets and debris from dry summer winds. When coils get coated, your system struggles to release heat, which makes it run longer and drive up your energy bill. A quick coil cleaning helps the AC keep up during long heatwaves.
Check Refrigerant Levels
If your AC has low refrigerant levels, it will blow warm air no matter how low you set the thermostat. In Los Angeles summers, that means higher bills and no relief from the heat. Have a local HVAC technician check levels and recharge if needed to keep your system cooling properly.
Inspect Vents and Registers
Walk through each room and make sure vents aren’t blocked by furniture or dust buildup. In Los Angeles summers, even a small airflow issue can make certain rooms unbearably hot while others stay cool. Keeping vents clear helps your AC cool the house more evenly.
Listen for Unusual Noises
Rattling, buzzing, or grinding sounds often point to loose parts, worn belts, or failing motors. These sounds are common in the summer because your AC runs for longer hours in extreme Los Angeles heat and puts extra stress on the components. Catching these noises early helps prevent mid-summer breakdowns and expensive repairs.
Fall HVAC Maintenance Checklist
Your fall HVAC preventative maintenance checklist may include replacing air filters, inspecting and sealing ductwork, testing the heating system, and clearing the outdoor unit.
Fall in LA often brings cooler evenings, dry winds, and wildfire smoke. It’s the season when your HVAC system transitions from heavy cooling to occasional heating, so maintenance now is about protecting air quality and making sure your system can handle both temperature swings and environmental stressors.
Replace Air Filters More Often
Wildfire season in Southern California can clog filters with smoke, ash, and dust faster than usual. Replacing them every few weeks during smoky periods keeps your indoor air cleaner and helps protect your lungs.
Inspect and Seal Ductwork
Small leaks in ducts let smoke and outdoor pollutants seep inside. Sealing those gaps improves air quality and helps your HVAC system deliver clean, conditioned air.
Test Your Heating System
Nights in Los Angeles can dip into the 50s, so fall is the right time to switch on your furnace or heat pump for a test run. Check for unusual odors or noises, and call a technician if anything seems off.
Clear Outdoor Unit After Santa Ana Winds
Los Angeles’ fall often comes with strong Santa Ana winds that blow leaves, dirt, and debris into outdoor HVAC units. Clearing this debris prevents blockages and keeps the system from overworking.
Winter HVAC Checklist
Your winter residential HVAC maintenance checklist may include replacing air filters, inspecting the furnace, testing carbon monoxide detectors, sealing drafts, and clearing the outdoor unit.
Winter in Los Angeles may not bring snow, but chilly nights and damp mornings can still put stress on your HVAC system. This is the season when heating becomes more important, and a few simple maintenance steps can make your home more comfortable while keeping energy bills in check.
Replace Air Filters
Cold nights mean your furnace or heat pump will be running more often. A clean air filter improves airflow, keeps warm air circulating, and helps reduce the spread of dust and winter allergens.
Inspect the Furnace or Heat Pump
Listen for unusual noises, check the pilot light or ignition system, and make sure all components of your heating system are in working order. Calling a professional HVAC company for an inspection can also help catch small problems before they become expensive repairs.
Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Any home with a gas furnace should have carbon monoxide detectors installed. Test them in winter to protect your family from potential gas leaks. Since carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, detectors are the only way to catch a problem before it becomes dangerous.
Seal Drafts Around Windows and Doors
Even in LA, heat loss through gaps and cracks can make your HVAC system work harder. Sealing drafts keeps warm air inside and reduces unnecessary strain on the unit.
Clear Around Outdoor Units
Rain, leaves, and winter debris can collect around outdoor components. Keep the area clean so the system can operate smoothly through the cooler months.
Let Season Control Handle Your HVAC Needs in Los Angeles
Taking control of your HVAC needs in LA starts with consistency. By following an HVAC preventative maintenance checklist, you can reduce surprise breakdowns, improve indoor air quality, and keep utility bills in check.
At Season Control Heating & Air Conditioning, our residential HVAC maintenance checklist includes system inspections, duct cleaning, refrigerant checks, and professional tune-ups – all tailored to the unique demands of LA homes.
Call (818) 275-8487 or book maintenance in LA now.
FAQs
What is involved in HVAC maintenance?
The maintenance typically includes inspecting your HVAC system, replacing filters, cleaning coils, checking refrigerant levels, and testing the thermostat. These steps help prevent costly repairs and extend the life of your system.
What is included in a commercial HVAC maintenance checklist?
A commercial HVAC checklist includes inspecting the air conditioning system, testing the heat exchanger, checking airflow and ductwork, calibrating thermostats, and verifying safety controls to keep business operations running smoothly.
How often should you service an air conditioning system?
Experts recommend servicing your air conditioning system at least once a year. Preventative maintenance includes cleaning condenser coils, checking refrigerant, and inspecting electrical parts to keep the unit reliable.
