Central Texas’s climate demands a different maintenance schedule than what you’ll find in generic HVAC guides. Our 8-9 month cooling season, cedar pollen winters, and sudden temperature swings mean your system needs attention year-round. Here’s exactly what to do each month.
Quick Answer: The Two Most Important Tasks
If you do nothing else, do these two things:
- Change your air filter every 30-60 days during cooling season (May-September) and every 60-90 days the rest of the year. Use our Filter Size Finder to get the right size.
- Schedule professional tune-ups twice per year — AC in March-April, heating in September-October.
For the complete interactive checklist with progress tracking, use our free Maintenance Checklist tool.
January: Mid-Winter Check
Priority: Low-Medium
Winter in Central Texas is mild but unpredictable. January can bring freezing temperatures that test your heating system.
- Check/replace air filter — Cedar pollen peaks December-February, clogging filters faster
- Verify heating operation — Run heat for 15 minutes and check all vents for warm airflow
- Protect outdoor unit from ice — If freezing rain is forecast, cover the outdoor unit with a breathable cover (remove after the storm)
- Check thermostat batteries — Replace if low to prevent mid-winter thermostat failure
- Inspect weather stripping — Cold drafts around doors and windows waste heating energy
February: Late Winter Prep
Priority: Medium
February is transition time — heating is still needed but spring is approaching.
- Check/replace air filter — Cedar pollen is still heavy; change more frequently if you have allergies
- Clear drain pans and condensate lines — Flush the AC condensate drain line with vinegar/water to prevent summer clogs
- Test AC mode briefly — On a warmer day (65°F+), run AC for 10 minutes to verify it starts and cools. This catches problems before you need it
- Schedule spring AC tune-up — Book now for March-April before the summer rush fills up the schedule
March: Pre-Summer Tune-Up
Priority: HIGH
March is the most important maintenance month for Texas HVAC. This is when to schedule your professional AC tune-up.
- Schedule professional AC tune-up — A technician checks refrigerant charge, electrical connections, coil condition, and overall system health
- Replace air filter — Start fresh before heavy cooling season
- Clear debris from outdoor condenser — Remove leaves, grass clippings, and any vegetation within 24 inches of the unit
- Check refrigerant line insulation — The foam insulation on copper lines degrades in Texas sun. Replace cracked or missing insulation
- Test thermostat cooling mode — Verify the system cycles on, cools, and shuts off correctly
- Inspect ductwork in accessible areas — Look for disconnected sections, crushed flex duct, or damaged insulation in the attic
April: Spring Transition
Priority: Medium
April brings the first hot days and the transition to full-time cooling.
- Check/replace air filter — Monthly during transition as both pollen and dust are high
- Trim vegetation around outdoor unit — Spring growth can quickly encroach on your condenser. Maintain 24 inches clearance on all sides, 5 feet above
- Clean supply and return vents — Vacuum and wipe down all registers throughout the house
- Test all zones — If you have a zoned system, verify each zone responds to thermostat commands
- Check ceiling fan direction — Set to counterclockwise for summer (pushing air downward)
May: Cooling Season Begins
Priority: High
May marks the real start of cooling season in Central Texas. Your AC will run daily from now through October.
- Replace air filter — Begin 30-day replacement cycle for the summer
- Confirm AC is running efficiently — Monitor your first full-month electric bill as a baseline
- Set summer thermostat schedule — Program 78°F when home, 85°F when away for optimal savings (see our Thermostat Savings Calculator)
- Check condensate drain — Verify water is draining properly from the indoor unit. A clogged drain can shut down your system or cause water damage
- Inspect outdoor unit — Listen for unusual sounds and check that the fan spins freely
June-August: Peak Cooling Season
Priority: Ongoing
These are the hardest months for your AC. Temperatures routinely exceed 100°F and your system may run 12-16 hours per day.
Monthly tasks:
- Replace air filter every 30 days — Non-negotiable during peak season. A dirty filter is the #1 cause of AC failure
- Check condensate drain line — Pour a cup of vinegar down the drain line monthly to prevent algae and mold clogs
- Monitor energy bills — A sudden spike may indicate a developing problem (refrigerant leak, failing compressor, dirty coils)
- Keep outdoor unit clear — Mow around the unit regularly; don’t let grass clippings blow into the coils
- Check indoor humidity — If your home feels humid even at low temperatures, your system may be oversized or having refrigerant issues
If you notice problems:
- System not cooling? Try our Troubleshooter for step-by-step diagnosis
- Unusually high bills? Use our Energy Cost Calculator to see what your system should cost to run
September: Fall Transition
Priority: High
September is the second most important maintenance month. Time to prepare your heating system.
- Schedule professional heating tune-up — Furnace or heat pump maintenance before cold weather arrives
- Replace air filter — Transition to a fresh filter as cooling demand starts to decrease
- Test heating mode — On the first cool evening, switch to heat and verify warm air output from all vents
- Clean or replace dryer vent — Fire prevention: lint buildup is a serious hazard. Clean the entire vent run from dryer to exterior
- Inspect weather stripping — Replace cracked or compressed weather stripping on doors and windows before heating season
- Check CO detector batteries — Critical if you have a gas furnace
October: Heating Prep Complete
Priority: Medium
October brings the first genuinely cool nights and the end of regular AC use.
- Check/replace air filter — Transition to 60-90 day schedule for the heating season
- Reverse ceiling fan direction — Set to clockwise on low speed to push warm air down from the ceiling
- Verify thermostat heating schedule — Program 68°F when home, 60°F when asleep for optimal savings
- Close fresh air dampers — If your system has outside air intake, reduce or close it for heating season
- Cover outdoor hose bibs — Not directly HVAC, but frozen pipes can cause water damage that affects your system
November-December: Heating Season
Priority: Medium
Central Texas winters are mild but include periodic freezes and the dreaded cedar pollen season starting in December.
November:
- Check/replace air filter — Cedar season starts late November in some years
- Verify furnace is operating cleanly — Check for unusual smells (rotten eggs = gas leak, burning = debris in heat exchanger)
- Have emergency heat plan — Know how to use a space heater safely and where your main gas shutoff is
December:
- Replace air filter — Cedar pollen season begins in earnest. MERV 11+ filters recommended for allergy sufferers
- Protect outdoor unit from ice/debris — Cover during ice storms but remove the cover when temperatures are above freezing
- Budget for next year — If your system is aging, use our HVAC Age Decoder to check its status and our Cost Estimator to plan for replacement
Professional Maintenance: What’s Included
A professional AC tune-up (spring) typically includes:
- Refrigerant level check and adjustment
- Electrical connection tightening and testing
- Condenser and evaporator coil cleaning
- Blower motor inspection and lubrication
- Thermostat calibration verification
- Safety control testing
- Drain line cleaning
- System performance measurements
A professional heating tune-up (fall) typically includes:
- Heat exchanger inspection (gas furnace) for cracks
- Burner cleaning and adjustment
- Ignition system testing
- Gas pressure verification
- Blower motor inspection
- Safety switch testing
- Carbon monoxide testing
- Filter inspection
Track Your Maintenance
Use our free interactive Maintenance Checklist to track all monthly tasks with automatic progress saving. Never forget a filter change or tune-up again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I service my HVAC in Texas?
Twice per year: AC tune-up in spring (March-April) and heating tune-up in fall (September-October). Change your air filter every 30-60 days during cooling season and every 60-90 days the rest of the year.
When should I schedule my AC tune-up in Central Texas?
March or early April is ideal. This gives your technician time to find and fix any issues before the brutal summer heat arrives. By May, HVAC companies are busy with emergency calls and availability drops significantly.
How often should I change my air filter in Texas?
Every 30-60 days during peak cooling season (May-September) and every 60-90 days during heating season. Change more frequently if you have pets, allergies, or live near construction or agricultural activity. Deep-pleated 4-inch filters can last 6-12 months.
What happens if I skip HVAC maintenance?
Skipping maintenance leads to: dirty coils reducing efficiency 10-30%, clogged drains causing water damage, refrigerant leaks going undetected, electrical failures, and ultimately premature system death. Regular maintenance prevents 90% of breakdowns and extends system life by 3-5 years.
Next Steps
Keep your system running strong year-round with these additional resources:
- See what maintenance actually costs — Our HVAC maintenance cost guide breaks down tune-up pricing, plan options, and how to save on service visits.
- Improve your indoor air quality — Filters and coil cleaning are just the start. Read our guide on how to improve indoor air quality for a complete strategy covering ventilation, filtration, and humidity control.
- Maximize comfort between seasons — Proper ceiling fan direction by season can make a room feel 4 degrees cooler in summer and distribute heat more evenly in winter, reducing the load on your system.
- Track every task automatically — Our free Maintenance Checklist lets you check off monthly items and saves your progress so you never miss a filter change or tune-up.
- Ready to talk? — Contact us for a free evaluation.
