Maintenance & Seasonal
How often should I service my HVAC system?
The simple Des Moines schedule for tune-ups and filter changes — and why Iowa’s split seasons make twice-a-year service the smart habit.
The schedule
How often does an Iowa home need HVAC service?
In Des Moines, IA, service your system twice a year: a cooling tune-up in spring before the humid summer and a heating tune-up in fall before sub-zero winter. Between visits, check the filter every one to three months. A heat pump, which runs in both seasons, benefits from the same two visits a year.
Spring
Cooling tune-up
Before the humid Iowa summer so the AC or heat pump is ready for the first heat wave, not failing during it.
Fall
Heating tune-up
Before the first hard freeze so the furnace or heat pump is checked while service is easy to schedule, not on a sub-zero night.
Between the professional visits
- Filters: check monthly, change most one-inch filters about every 90 days — sooner with pets or allergies.
- Outdoor unit: keep about two feet of clearance and rinse off grass clippings, leaves, and cottonwood seed.
- Warranty: many manufacturers expect documented annual maintenance, so keeping records protects your coverage.
Don’t want to track all of this? Our maintenance plans put the spring and fall tune-ups on a schedule and keep the service record for you.
Iowa local truth
“A brand-new system doesn’t need maintenance for years.” Even a new system needs seasonal service. Skipping it lets small issues build before a deep freeze, and it can void warranty coverage that requires documented annual maintenance — turning a covered part into an out-of-pocket repair.
Common questions
How often should I service my HVAC system in IA?
Twice a year is the standard in Iowa: a cooling tune-up in spring and a heating tune-up in fall before the cold sets in. If you have a heat pump that both heats and cools, keep the same twice-a-year rhythm because it works hard in both seasons.
How often should I change my air filter?
Check it monthly and change most one-inch filters about every 90 days — more often with pets, allergies, or heavy use. Thicker four- to five-inch media filters can last several months. A clean filter protects airflow between professional visits.
Does skipping maintenance affect my warranty?
It can. Many manufacturers require documented annual maintenance to keep the equipment warranty valid, so skipped service can leave you paying out of pocket for a repair the warranty might otherwise have helped cover.
Can a maintenance plan keep me on schedule?
Yes. All Seasons HVAC maintenance plans schedule the spring and fall tune-ups for you and keep a service record, so you are covered before each Iowa season without having to remember to call.