Seasonal HVAC Maintenance & Tune-Ups, Palo Alto
A system that sits idle for months, then runs hard for a few weeks, benefits from a check before each season. Our tune-ups catch the small things before they turn into no-heat or no-cool calls.
Call 650-460-3483438 Cambridge Ave, 94306
HVAC maintenance in Palo Alto means a cooling check in spring and a heating check in fall, or one combined visit for a heat pump. Each tune-up covers filters, coils, electrical parts, refrigerant pressures, drains and safety controls. Regular maintenance helps protect manufacturer warranties, keeps efficiency up, and catches failing capacitors and clogged drains before the first heat wave.
What’s included
| System | What we do |
|---|---|
| Air conditioner or heat pump (cooling) | Clean outdoor coil, check refrigerant pressures and temperature split, test capacitors and contactor, clear condensate drain, check electrical connections |
| Heat pump (heating) | Verify reversing valve and defrost operation, check auxiliary heat settings, confirm temperature rise |
| Gas furnace | Clean flame sensor, inspect burners and heat exchanger, test igniter and safety switches, check CO and venting |
| Ductless mini-split | Clean filters and coil, inspect blower wheel, flush condensate path, check line set insulation |
| Every visit | Thermostat check, filter change, written report with photos |
When to schedule in Palo Alto
- Cooling check: April or May, before the first warm spell
- Heating check: September or October, before the first cold nights
- Heat pumps: once a year at minimum, twice for heavy use
Why it matters more in a mild climate
In hotter or colder places, problems show up quickly because the system runs all the time. In Palo Alto, a failing part can hide for months, then fail on the first hot afternoon of the year, along with everyone else’s. A tune-up before the season is the best way to avoid waiting in that line.
What you can do between visits
- Change or clean filters every one to three months
- Keep two feet of clearance around the outdoor unit
- Rinse leaves and debris off the outdoor coil gently with a hose
- Pour a cup of white vinegar down the condensate line in spring
- Keep supply and return vents open and unblocked
Our maintenance checklist for Bay Area homes has a printable version.
Maintenance schedule by system
| System | How often | Best time in Palo Alto |
|---|---|---|
| Central air conditioner | Once a year | April or May |
| Gas furnace | Once a year | September or October |
| Heat pump | Once or twice a year | Spring and fall |
| Ductless mini-split | Once a year, plus filter rinses | Spring |
| Radiant boiler | Once a year | September |
What maintenance prevents
Most no-cool and no-heat calls trace back to a handful of parts: capacitors, contactors, flame sensors, igniters and clogged condensate drains. A seasonal tune-up tests or cleans every one of them. It also keeps efficiency up, protects manufacturer warranties and gives you a written record of your system’s condition.
Why Palo Alto homeowners choose ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto for HVAC maintenance
ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto has served Palo Alto homes for over 10 years from our shop at 438 Cambridge Ave. We maintain furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, ductless systems and radiant boilers from every major manufacturer, and we send a written report with photos after each visit.
- Diagnosis before recommendations. We measure first, then explain what we found in plain language.
- Repair prices up front. You see the cost before any work begins, and replacement only comes up when it makes sense.
- Local know-how. CPAU rebates, the City heat pump instant permit, Eichler radiant systems and Palo Alto’s older housing stock.
- Respect for your home. Drop cloths, protected floors and trim, and a clean work area at the end of every day.
HVAC Maintenance, step by step
- BookPick a window before the season starts.
- InspectElectrical, refrigerant, airflow, drains and safety.
- CleanCoils, sensors, drains and filters.
- ReportPhotos and notes on anything to watch.
Often paired with hvac maintenance
HVAC Maintenance across Palo Alto and nearby
We’re based at 438 Cambridge Ave and work in every Palo Alto neighborhood. Local notes for each area:
New to us? Start with our overview of HVAC in Palo Alto.
HVAC Maintenance questions,
answered.
Answers from the ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto team about hvac maintenance in Palo Alto homes.
How often should I service my HVAC in Palo Alto?
Once a year for each mode: cooling in spring and heating in fall. A heat pump needs at least one annual visit, ideally two. Because Palo Alto systems sit idle for long stretches, small problems like weak capacitors and clogged drains often surface on the first hot or cold day of the season. Scheduling cooling checks in April or May and heating checks in September or October puts you ahead of the rush. Heat pumps run in both seasons, so they benefit most.
Does maintenance affect my warranty?
Many manufacturers require proof of regular professional maintenance to honor parts warranties. Our written report gives you that record. Manufacturers typically require installation by a licensed contractor and reasonable maintenance to cover parts. Keeping dated service records helps if a claim is ever needed. ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto provides a written report with photos after every tune-up, so you have that record without having to track it yourself.
Do you maintain systems you didn’t install?
Yes. We service all major brands of furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps and mini-splits. That includes gas furnaces, central air conditioners, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits and boilers for radiant systems. On the first visit, we note equipment age, model numbers and any issues so future visits are faster. If something was installed incorrectly, we explain what we found and what it would take to fix it.
How long does a tune-up take?
Usually 60 to 90 minutes per system. Multi-zone mini-split systems take longer depending on the number of indoor heads. The visit covers electrical testing, refrigerant pressures, coil and drain cleaning, safety controls and a filter check. We do not rush through it, because the point is to catch problems early. You get a written summary with photos, plus a heads-up on any parts that look close to failing.
What filter should I use?
A MERV 8 to 11 pleated filter is a good balance for most systems. Higher MERV ratings can restrict airflow unless the return is sized for them. During wildfire smoke season, a MERV 13 filter captures far more fine particles. If your return grille only fits a thin filter, a 4- or 5-inch media filter cabinet lets you use MERV 13 without restricting airflow. Change thin filters every one to three months, more often with pets or during smoke events.
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.