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GUIDES / MAINTENANCE

A Seasonal HVAC Maintenance Checklist for Palo Alto Homes

What to do in spring, summer, fall and winter so your system is ready for heat waves, smoke season and cold mornings.By the ComfortFlow teamUpdated 3 min read

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A simple Palo Alto HVAC routine: in spring, book a cooling tune-up, change the filter and clear the outdoor unit. In late summer, prepare for wildfire smoke with a MERV 13 filter. In fall, book a heating check and test CO alarms. In winter, watch filters and, for Eichlers, radiant boiler pressure. Change filters every one to three months.

Spring (March to May)

  • Book a professional cooling tune-up before the first warm week
  • Replace the filter
  • Clear leaves and debris from the outdoor unit; keep two feet of clearance
  • Gently rinse the outdoor coil with a garden hose (no pressure washer)
  • Pour a cup of white vinegar into the condensate line access, if you have one
  • Test the system on a mild day so problems surface before a heat wave

Summer (June to September)

  • Check the filter monthly during heavy use
  • Prepare for smoke season: keep a spare MERV 13 filter on hand
  • During smoke events, close windows and run the system fan with a good filter
  • Keep blinds closed on west-facing windows on hot afternoons
  • Watch for water around the indoor unit or ice on refrigerant lines

Fall (September to November)

  • Book a heating tune-up before the first cold nights
  • Replace the filter
  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
  • Clear leaves from the outdoor unit again, especially under oaks and sycamores
  • Eichler owners: check radiant boiler pressure before the heating season

Winter (December to February)

  • Check filters every one to two months
  • For heat pumps, a brief defrost cycle with some steam is normal
  • Keep vents and returns unblocked by furniture and rugs
  • If anything smells like gas or burning, shut the system off and call

How often to call a professional

Once a year for each mode, or once a year at minimum for a heat pump. See HVAC maintenance for what our tune-ups include.

What a professional tune-up adds

Homeowner checks keep a system healthy between visits, but some tasks need a technician’s tools: - Measuring refrigerant pressures and temperature split - Testing capacitors, contactors and motor amperage - Cleaning flame sensors and inspecting burners on gas furnaces - Checking heat exchangers and carbon monoxide levels - Verifying heat pump defrost and reversing valve operation - Deep cleaning ductless blower wheels and coils

Palo Alto seasonal calendar

MonthTask
March to MayCooling tune-up, filter change, clear outdoor unit
June to SeptemberMonthly filter checks, smoke season preparation
September to OctoberHeating tune-up, test CO alarms, clear leaves
November to FebruaryFilter checks, watch boiler pressure on radiant systems

ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto provides a written report with photos after each visit.

GOOD TO KNOW

Quick answers.

The short version of this guide, from the ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto team.

How often should I change my HVAC filter?

Every one to three months for most 1-inch filters, more often in smoke season or with pets. Deeper media filters last longer. Write the change date on the filter frame so you know when it was last replaced. During wildfire smoke events, check filters weekly. Ductless mini-splits have washable filters behind the front panel that should be rinsed every few weeks during heavy use.

Is it OK to hose off my outdoor unit?

Yes, gently from the inside out if accessible, with power off. Never use a pressure washer, which can bend the fins. Turn off power at the outdoor disconnect first. Use gentle water pressure and spray from the top down, or from the inside out if you can access it safely. Clear leaves and debris around the base and keep shrubs trimmed back about two feet. Bent fins should be straightened by a technician.

When should I book a tune-up in Palo Alto?

Spring for cooling and fall for heating, before demand peaks. Booking before demand peaks means more flexible scheduling and fewer surprises during the first heat wave or cold snap. Heat pumps should be serviced at least once a year since they run in both seasons. ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto sends you a written report with photos after every tune-up.

YOUR NEXT STEP

Let’s make home
feel better.

Tell ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto what’s happening with your heating or cooling, and we’ll start with the right questions. Serving Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Los Altos, Stanford and the Peninsula.

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