HVAC tune-up and filter changes: what's included and how often
For Silicon Valley homes · Updated October 2026 · Sources below
Check your filter every month and change it when it's dirty, and have a technician look at the system once a year - cooling in spring, heating in fall. Dirty filters and coils can lead to breakdowns and early compressor or fan failure. For gas furnaces, a yearly inspection is also a carbon monoxide safety step.
The short version
- Inspect, clean or change the filter monthly (ENERGY STAR)
- Book a yearly pre-season check: cooling in spring, heating in fall
- Dirty filters and coils can cause early compressor or fan failure (DOE)
- Have fuel-burning appliances inspected every year (EPA)
- PG&E offers free gas appliance safety checks - not a full tune-up
Need a heating & AC pro?
Tell us about the job in 2 minutes - free. We send it to one local pro at a time, never a crowd.
What it costs
- HVAC repair$130 - $2,000 (average $350)
These are repair ranges. Many contractors quote a flat price for a tune-up - ask for it in writing, along with what's included.
Typical ranges from published cost guides - mostly national figures. Bay Area prices usually run higher. Your actual price depends on your home and the job, and a pro gives you the real number. Source: HomeAdvisor cost guide (national) (Jun 2026). Have a quote? Check it with the Quote Explainer
Signs it's time for a tune-up
- It's been more than a year since the last service
- Energy bills are higher than usual for the season
- Some rooms are much warmer or cooler than others
- The system turns on and off often
- New noises, smells or more dust than usual
What you can do vs. what a pro does
- You: check the filter monthly and change it when dirty, keep the outdoor unit clear of plants and debris, keep vents unblocked, and test your CO alarms.
- Pro, every visit: check thermostat settings, tighten electrical connections, measure motor voltage and current, lubricate moving parts, check the condensate drain, and test startup and shutdown.
- Pro, cooling: clean the indoor and outdoor coils, check and adjust refrigerant, and clean and adjust the blower for proper airflow.
- Pro, heating: check gas connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and the heat exchanger.
In Silicon Valley
- PG&E offers free in-home gas safety checks and pilot relights for furnaces, water heaters and ovens as the weather cools. It's a safety check, not a cleaning or tune-up.
- California requires CO alarms in existing single-family homes with a gas appliance, fireplace or attached garage - a fall heating tune-up is a good time to test them and check their expiration dates.
- If a tune-up shows your system is near the end, plan ahead: some local heat pump rebates, such as Silicon Valley Clean Energy's, must be approved before installation.
Questions homeowners ask
How often should I change my furnace or AC filter?
ENERGY STAR says to inspect, clean or change the filter every month for a central AC, furnace or heat pump. Change it whenever it looks dirty.
How often should I get my HVAC serviced?
Once a year for each season's equipment: a cooling check in spring and a heating check in fall. ENERGY STAR suggests booking before contractors get busy in summer and winter.
What's included in an HVAC tune-up?
A good tune-up checks the thermostat, electrical connections, motors, moving parts and condensate drain. For cooling it cleans the coils and checks refrigerant; for heating it checks the gas connections, gas pressure, burners and heat exchanger. Ask for a written checklist.
Is an HVAC tune-up worth it?
Usually, yes. The Department of Energy says dirty filters and coils can cause malfunctions and early compressor or fan failure, and the EPA recommends a yearly inspection of fuel-burning appliances to prevent carbon monoxide problems.
Does PG&E do free furnace inspections?
PG&E offers free gas appliance safety checks and pilot relights for furnaces, water heaters and ovens. It's a safety check, not a cleaning or repair, so it doesn't replace a tune-up.
How much does HVAC maintenance cost?
Many contractors quote a flat price for a tune-up; ask what's included. If they find a problem, national cost guides put HVAC repairs at about $130 to $2,000, with an average around $350, and Bay Area prices usually run higher.
Save with your neighbors
Heating or AC tune-up is a job neighbors team up on: one pro, one trip down your street, a group price the pro sets. Three homes start it.
Start or join a Neighborhood Block DealQuestions to ask the pro
- What's your flat price, and what's on the checklist?
- Will you clean the coils and check the refrigerant charge?
- For the furnace, will you check the heat exchanger and test for carbon monoxide?
- What filter size and type should I use, and how often should I change it?
- Do you offer a yearly maintenance plan, and what does it include?
Before you sign, check the contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov. How to hire a contractor in California
Need a heating & AC pro?
Tell us about the job in 2 minutes - free. We send it to one local pro at a time, never a crowd.
Related answers
Sources
- ENERGY STAR - Heating & cooling maintenance checklist
- U.S. Department of Energy - Common air conditioner problems
- U.S. EPA - Carbon monoxide fact sheet
- PG&E free gas safety checks and CO tips (news release, Nov 2025)
- Menlo Park Fire Protection District - California carbon monoxide alarm law (SB 183)
- Silicon Valley Clean Energy - Home rebates
General information for Silicon Valley homeowners, not professional advice for your home. Rules and programs change - check the source, and have a licensed pro look at your situation.