Safety note: This is general information only, not professional advice. Only do what you can do safely: turn off power before touching equipment, follow the manufacturer's instructions, and leave anything involving gas, electrical wiring, or refrigerant to a licensed professional. Any action you take is at your own risk — see the disclaimer.
Every month
- Check your air filter during heating and cooling season. Standard 1-inch filters typically need replacing every one to three months — more often with pets, construction dust, or allergies.
- Rinse mini-split filters every few weeks during heavy use.
Spring (April–May)
- Schedule an AC tune-up before the first hot stretch.
- Clear the outdoor unit: remove leaves and winter debris and keep about two feet of open space around it.
- Test-run the AC on a mild day so you find problems before you need it.
- Reinstall or service window units and check that they drain to the outside.
Summer (June–August)
- Keep the condensate drain flowing — watch for water around the indoor unit or a drain pan that isn't emptying.
- Watch for ice on refrigerant lines. If you see it, turn the system off or to "Fan" and call.
- Keep grass clippings and mulch away from the outdoor coil.
Fall (late August–October)
- Schedule a heating tune-up for your furnace or boiler before the first cold snap — schedules fill up fast once it turns cold.
- Test carbon monoxide and smoke alarms and replace batteries. CO alarms belong on every level of the home and near sleeping areas.
- Boiler homes: check the pressure gauge (typically around 12–15 psi cold). If some rooms heat unevenly, air may need to be bled from the radiators or baseboard — the water can be hot enough to scald, so only do it with the system off and cooled down, or have a professional handle it.
- Remove or cover window AC units to stop drafts.
- Replace the humidifier pad if your furnace has a whole-house humidifier.
Winter (November–March)
- Clear snow from furnace vent pipes after storms if you have a high-efficiency furnace with PVC pipes on an outside wall.
- Keep heat pumps and mini-split outdoor units clear of snow and ice so they can defrost and drain.
- Keep the heat at 55°F or higher when you're away to protect pipes.
- Don't close off too many supply vents — furnaces need airflow, and closing registers can cause overheating and cold spots.
For businesses
- Clean refrigeration condenser coils regularly — monthly in greasy kitchens.
- Clean and sanitize ice machines at least every six months. See our ice machine guide.
- Check walk-in door gaskets and keep a temperature log.
Book a tune-up
Call or text 570-983-9747 to schedule AC maintenance in the spring or furnace and boiler maintenance in the fall.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not professional advice for your specific equipment, building, or situation, and reading it does not create a customer or contractor relationship with Affordable AC & Refrigeration Services LLC.
Heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, gas, and electrical equipment can cause serious injury, death, fire, or property damage if handled improperly. Always follow your equipment manufacturer’s instructions and safety warnings, turn off power before touching any equipment, and do not attempt any work involving gas lines, electrical wiring, refrigerant, sealed components, or combustion and venting — that work should be performed only by a qualified, licensed professional. If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave the building immediately and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
Any action you take based on this information is strictly at your own risk. Information may be incomplete or change over time and is provided “as is,” without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Affordable AC & Refrigeration Services LLC and its owners, employees, and contractors are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage to persons or property arising from the use of, or reliance on, this information. Read our full website disclaimer.