Let me guess – you’re sitting in your Colorado Springs home right now, and you just realized you can’t remember the last time you had your HVAC system looked at. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’ve been helping homeowners in our beautiful city keep their heating and cooling systems running smoothly for years, and I can tell you that most folks don’t think about HVAC maintenance until something goes wrong.
Here’s the thing though: Colorado Springs weather doesn’t mess around. One day it’s 70 degrees and sunny, the next day there’s a foot of snow on the ground. Your HVAC system works overtime here, and without proper seasonal maintenance, you’re basically playing Russian roulette with your comfort and your wallet.
I’ve put together this handy seasonal maintenance checklist that’ll help you stay ahead of problems and keep your system running like a champ all year long. Trust me, spending a little time on maintenance now beats shivering in January when your furnace decides to take an unscheduled vacation.
Why Colorado Springs HVAC Systems Need Extra TLC
Living here means your HVAC system deals with some special challenges. We’ve got that high altitude thing going on – we’re sitting pretty at about 6,000 feet above sea level. The air’s thinner up here, which means your system has to work harder to move air efficiently. Add in our crazy temperature swings, low humidity, and the occasional dust storm rolling in from the plains, and you’ve got a recipe for HVAC stress.
According to recent industry data, HVAC systems in high-altitude locations like ours wear out about 15% faster than those at sea level. That’s not just a number – that’s real money out of your pocket if you don’t stay on top of maintenance.
The good news? A well-maintained system can last 15-20 years, even with our challenging climate. Skip the maintenance, and you’re looking at replacement costs that can easily hit $5,000 to $8,000 for a quality system. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather spend a few hundred dollars a year on maintenance than drop that kind of cash unexpectedly.
Spring HVAC Maintenance: Getting Ready for the Warm Weather
Spring in Colorado Springs is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna get. One day you need heat, the next day you’re cranking the AC. This swing season is perfect for getting your system ready for the heavy lifting it’ll do during summer.
Your Spring Maintenance Checklist
Replace or Clean Air Filters
This is the big one, folks. I can’t tell you how many service calls I’ve been on where a dirty filter was the culprit. In our dusty climate, I recommend checking filters monthly and replacing them every 1-3 months, depending on your home’s needs. If you have pets or someone in your family has allergies, you might need to change them even more frequently.
Here’s a pro tip: buy your filters in bulk and write the installation date on the frame with a Sharpie. Future you will thank present you for that little bit of organization.
Clean Your Outdoor Unit
Winter can be rough on your outdoor condenser unit. Clear away any debris, leaves, or snow that might have accumulated. Give the unit a gentle rinse with your garden hose – just don’t use a pressure washer, as that can damage the delicate fins.
While you’re out there, make sure there’s at least two feet of clearance around the unit. I’ve seen too many units choked by overgrown bushes or storage items that somehow migrated too close during the off-season.
Test Your System
Before you really need it, turn on your AC and let it run for a bit. Listen for any unusual noises, check that cold air is coming out of your vents, and make sure the system cycles on and off properly. If something seems off, it’s better to catch it now than during the first 90-degree day when every HVAC company in town is swamped.
Check Your Thermostat
Replace the batteries if it’s not hardwired, and consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat if you haven’t already. The energy savings alone can pay for the upgrade within a year or two.
Summer HVAC Maintenance: Keeping Cool When It Counts
Summer in Colorado Springs can be brutal. Sure, we don’t get the oppressive humidity that other places deal with, but when it’s 95 degrees and the sun is beating down with that high-altitude intensity, you want your AC working perfectly.
The HVAC industry has seen a 23% increase in emergency service calls during summer months, according to 2024 data from the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. Most of these could have been prevented with proper maintenance.
Summer Maintenance Tasks
Monitor Your System’s Performance
Keep an eye on your energy bills. If they spike unexpectedly, your system might be working harder than it should. Also, pay attention to how long it takes to cool your house. If it’s taking longer than usual, that’s a red flag.
Keep Vents Clear and Clean
I know it’s tempting to close vents in rooms you don’t use, thinking you’ll save energy. Don’t do it. Your system is designed to move a certain amount of air, and closing vents can actually make it work harder and less efficiently.
Instead, make sure all vents are open and unobstructed by furniture, curtains, or that pile of laundry that somehow always ends up on the bedroom floor.
Check Your Ductwork
Take a flashlight and peek into your crawl space or basement if you can. Look for any obvious damage to your ducts – holes, disconnected sections, or areas where the insulation has fallen off. Leaky ducts can waste up to 30% of your cooling energy.
Maintain Consistent Temperature Settings
I get it – when you come home to a hot house, the temptation is to crank the thermostat down to 65 degrees. But your AC doesn’t work like a car accelerator. Setting it super low doesn’t cool your house faster; it just makes the system run longer and work harder.
Fall HVAC Maintenance: Preparing for Winter
Fall maintenance is all about getting ready for heating season. Colorado Springs winters can be unpredictable – we might have a mild December followed by a brutal February. Your heating system needs to be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at us.
Essential Fall Tasks
Schedule a Professional Furnace Inspection
This isn’t a DIY job, folks. A qualified technician needs to check your heat exchanger, burner assembly, and safety controls. Carbon monoxide is nothing to mess around with, and a cracked heat exchanger can be deadly.
At Accurate Air Control, we see way too many furnaces that haven’t been properly inspected in years. Don’t be that homeowner who finds out their furnace is unsafe on the coldest night of the year. You can reach us at (719) 440-6977 to schedule your inspection.
Test Your Heating System
Before you need it, turn on your heat and make sure everything’s working properly. Check that warm air is coming out of all your vents and that the system cycles properly. If you smell gas or notice any unusual odors, turn off the system immediately and call a professional.
Clean and Inspect Your Chimney and Vents
If you have a gas furnace, make sure the exhaust vents are clear of debris, bird nests, or other obstructions. A blocked vent can cause dangerous carbon monoxide to back up into your home.
Check Your Home’s Insulation
Good insulation makes your heating system’s job easier. Check your attic, basement, and crawl spaces for areas where insulation might have settled or been damaged. Look closely at areas around pipes and ductwork.
Winter HVAC Maintenance: Keeping Warm and Safe
Winter maintenance is mostly about monitoring your system and dealing with the special challenges our Colorado weather brings. We get temperature swings that would make other climates jealous, and your HVAC system feels every degree of it.
Winter Maintenance Focus Areas
Keep Your Outdoor Unit Clear
Even though you’re not using your AC, snow and ice can damage your outdoor unit. Keep it clear of snow buildup, but be gentle – don’t attack it with a shovel or ice pick.
Monitor Your System’s Operation
Pay attention to how your system sounds and feels. If it’s cycling on and off more frequently than usual, or if some rooms aren’t getting warm, don’t ignore it. Small problems become big problems when your system is working hard during cold weather.
Maintain Proper Humidity Levels
Our dry Colorado air gets even drier in winter, especially with heating systems running constantly. Low humidity makes you feel colder, so you turn up the thermostat, making your system work harder. A whole-house humidifier can help, but even portable units in key rooms make a difference.
Don’t Ignore Warning Signs
Strange noises, unusual smells, or uneven heating are all signs that something’s not right. In winter, when your system is working its hardest, small problems can quickly become expensive emergencies.
Common HVAC Problems in Colorado Springs and How to Prevent Them
After years of working on HVAC systems in our area, I’ve seen the same problems pop up over and over. Here are the big ones and how to avoid them:
Problem: Frozen Coils and Heat Pumps
Our temperature swings can cause ice buildup on outdoor units. The solution? Keep the area around your unit clear, and don’t try to chip ice off yourself – you’ll likely cause damage. Most modern systems have defrost cycles, but if ice buildup is really bad, call a professional.
Problem: Altitude-Related Efficiency Issues
The thin air at our altitude means your system has to work harder to move the same amount of air. Make sure your system is the right size for our high altitude, and don’t skip filter changes – clean airflow is even more important up here.
Problem: Dust and Debris Overload
We get a lot of dust in Colorado Springs, especially when those winds kick up. This clogs filters faster and can damage parts of your system. The solution is simple but important: change filters more frequently than you might in other climates.
When to Call the Professionals
I’m all for DIY maintenance, but there are times when you need to call in the experts. Here’s when to pick up the phone:
- Any time you smell gas or suspect a gas leak
- When your system is making loud, unusual noises
- If your energy bills spike unexpectedly
- When your system isn’t heating or cooling evenly
- For annual professional inspections and tune-ups
At Accurate Air Control here in Colorado Springs, we understand the special challenges our climate presents. We’ve been helping homeowners keep their systems running efficiently and safely, and we know what works in our specific environment.
The Bottom Line: Consistency Pays Off
Here’s the truth: HVAC maintenance isn’t glamorous, and it’s easy to put off. But in Colorado Springs, where your system works harder than average and replacement costs are pretty high, consistent maintenance is one of the best investments you can make in your home.
Set up reminders on your phone, mark your calendar, or tie maintenance tasks to seasonal activities you already do. The key is making it routine so you don’t have to think about it.
Remember, a well-maintained HVAC system doesn’t just save you money – it keeps your family comfortable and safe year-round. And in our unpredictable Colorado climate, that peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.
If you need help with any of these maintenance tasks or want to schedule a professional inspection, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your future self – and your wallet – will thank you for taking care of your HVAC system before problems arise.
