How Often Should AC Be Serviced? Here’s What You Need to Know

The Short Answer: Once a Year, Every Year

If your AC is running, it’s easy to assume everything’s fine. But like your car, your air conditioner needs regular maintenance to stay efficient, reliable, and ready for the heat — especially when Central Kansas summers push temperatures into the upper 90s and beyond.

The standard recommendation from HVAC professionals is once per year, ideally in the spring before you need the system regularly. For most homeowners in El Dorado, Hillsboro, and Emporia, that window is March through May — before the real heat sets in.

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Why Annual Service Actually Matters

Skipping annual maintenance doesn’t just shorten your equipment’s lifespan. It leads to:

• Higher energy bills — dirty coils and low refrigerant force your system to work harder
• Reduced cooling capacity — your home never quite gets comfortable on hot days
• Unexpected breakdowns — the worst time for your AC to fail is mid-July when every tech in the region is booked out
• Voided warranties — many manufacturers require documented annual maintenance to honor warranty claims

A system that gets serviced regularly can last 15–20 years. One that doesn’t? Expect problems in 10 or less.

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What Happens During an AC Tune-Up?

A proper annual service visit covers more than a filter swap. A licensed technician should check and address:

• Refrigerant levels and inspect for leaks
• Electrical connections and voltage readings
• Thermostat calibration
• Evaporator and condenser coil condition
• Condensate drain line (a clogged drain causes water damage and humidity issues)
• Blower motor and fan blade condition
• Overall system cycling and airflow

If a tech finishes in 15 minutes, that’s not a tune-up — it’s a visual check. A thorough inspection takes time.

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Should You Service More Than Once a Year?

For most homes, once a year is enough. But there are situations where more frequent checks make sense:

Twice a year: If you have a heat pump that runs year-round for both heating and cooling, a spring and fall check is worth it. Heat pumps log more run hours than standard AC units, which means more wear.

After a hard season: If your system ran constantly through a brutal summer, a quick fall check before you switch to heat isn’t a bad idea — especially if you noticed reduced performance.

Older systems: Equipment over 10 years old benefits from closer attention. If you’re running a unit from the early 2010s or before, annual isn’t optional — it’s essential.

Commercial properties: HVAC systems in commercial buildings often need quarterly filter changes and semi-annual inspections depending on usage and square footage. If you manage a business in the El Dorado area, it’s worth a conversation with a commercial HVAC specialist about a maintenance schedule that fits your building.

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Don’t Forget Your Filter

Between professional visits, the single most impactful thing you can do is change your air filter regularly. Depending on your filter type and whether you have pets or allergies:

• Basic 1-inch filters: every 30–60 days
• Thicker media filters (4–5 inch): every 6–12 months
• Homes with pets or allergy sufferers: err toward the shorter end of any range

A clogged filter restricts airflow, which causes the system to work harder, freeze up, or short-cycle. It’s the easiest and cheapest maintenance step you have.

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Signs Your AC Needs Service Now (Don’t Wait for the Annual)

If any of these show up between tune-ups, don’t wait — call for AC repair before a small issue becomes a full system failure:

• Warm air blowing from vents
• Unusual sounds (grinding, squealing, banging)
• Ice forming on refrigerant lines
• Water pooling around the indoor unit
• Noticeably higher electric bills without a change in usage
• System short-cycling (turning on and off frequently)

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Serving El Dorado, Hillsboro, and Emporia Since 1959

Don’s Heating & Air has been keeping Central Kansas homes comfortable for over 65 years. We offer same-day service, free on-site quotes, and 10-year system warranties on new equipment — backed by $1M in liability coverage and a 5-star reputation built one customer at a time.

If your AC hasn’t been serviced yet this year, now’s the time. Schedule your tune-up or call us to get on the calendar before the summer rush hits.