Once a year? Twice? Here's a simple maintenance schedule that keeps your A/C efficient and your warranty intact.
It's one of the most common questions we hear: how often does an air conditioner actually need servicing? The short answer is once a year, professionally — plus a few simple things you can do yourself between visits. Here's the full picture.
Once a year: a professional tune-up
At minimum, your A/C should get a professional tune-up and cleaning once a year, ideally in spring. This is when a technician cleans the coils, checks the refrigerant, tests electrical components, and catches small problems before they leave you sweating in July. Most manufacturers actually require documented annual service to keep your warranty valid.
Monthly: check your filter
Between professional visits, the single most valuable thing you can do is check your air filter every month during cooling season and change it when it's dirty — usually every 1–3 months. A clogged filter is the number-one cause of weak cooling and frozen coils.
If you have a heat pump
Heat pumps run year-round for both heating and cooling, so they see roughly double the runtime of a standard A/C. We recommend servicing a heat pump twice a year — once in spring and once in fall — to keep both modes running efficiently.
- Standard A/C: professional service once a year (spring)
- Heat pump: twice a year (spring and fall)
- Air filter: check monthly, change every 1–3 months
- Outdoor unit: keep 2 ft clear of plants and debris
Want to stop tracking it yourself? Our service plan includes scheduled annual maintenance and reminders, so you never miss a tune-up. Seeley Lake Electric serves the Seeley-Swan Valley and Missoula area.
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