How Often Should You Service Your HVAC System?

As a general rule, heating equipment should be serviced once a year in the fall, cooling equipment once a year in the spring, and a heat pump — which does both jobs — benefits from a check each season. Regular maintenance isn't just upkeep for its own sake: it keeps efficiency up, catches small problems before they turn into expensive breakdowns, and helps your equipment reach its full lifespan. For a Kelowna home, timing your service before each season means you're not discovering a problem during the first cold snap or heat wave. Here's a simple schedule for the systems in your home.

How often should each system be serviced?

| System | Service frequency | Best time | |---|---|---| | Gas furnace | Once a year | Early fall | | Air conditioner | Once a year | Spring | | Heat pump | Twice a year (heating + cooling) | Fall and spring | | Tankless / hot water | Periodically per manufacturer | Any time | | Gas fireplace | Once a year | Early fall |

The theme is the same across all of them: service ahead of the season you rely on the equipment, not during it.

What does a maintenance visit include?

It varies by equipment, but a typical visit involves cleaning key components, inspecting for wear, testing controls and safety devices, and confirming the system is operating efficiently and safely. On gas equipment, the technician also checks combustion and venting — a safety step, not just an efficiency one. The visit is also when a technician can flag a part that's wearing out, so you can plan a repair instead of getting caught by a failure.

Why is regular HVAC maintenance worth it?

Three concrete reasons:

• Lower running costs. A clean, well-tuned system uses less energy for the same comfort.
• Fewer breakdowns. Most no-heat and no-cool emergencies trace back to problems that a routine service would have caught early.
• Longer equipment life. Systems that are maintained tend to reach — or exceed — their expected lifespan, while neglected ones fail early.

There's also a simple, free habit that matters between visits: change your filter regularly. A dirty filter is behind a large share of furnace and AC problems, and it's the one thing every homeowner can do themselves.

What can I do myself versus leave to a technician?

You can change filters, keep vents and outdoor units clear of debris, and watch for changes in performance or noise. Anything involving gas components, refrigerant, electrical or combustion should be left to a licensed technician — both for safety and, for gas work in BC, because it's required by law. Our guide on needing a licensed gas fitter in BC explains where that line is.

Want your system checked before the season? See our services across heating, cooling, hot water and gas — or call for a free estimate.