HVAC Maintenance Guide: Keep Your NJ Home Comfortable Year-Round

Your HVAC system accounts for nearly half of your home's energy costs. In New Jersey, where we experience everything from freezing winters to humid summers, keeping your heating and cooling systems well-maintained isn't just about comfort — it's about your wallet and your family's health.

Air Filter Management

This is the single most important HVAC maintenance task, and it's the easiest.

How Often to Change Filters

1-inch filters: Every 30-60 days
4-inch filters: Every 3-6 months
Homes with pets: Every 30 days regardless of filter size
Allergy sufferers: Every 30 days with MERV 11+ filters
During heavy use seasons (NJ summer/winter): Check monthly

Choosing the Right Filter

MERV ratings explained:

MERV 1-4: Basic filtration (fiberglass filters). Protects equipment but not air quality.
MERV 8-11: Good balance of filtration and airflow. Best for most homes.
MERV 13+: Hospital-grade filtration. May restrict airflow in older systems — check with your HVAC tech first.

Pro tip: Don't automatically buy the highest MERV rating. Too restrictive a filter forces your system to work harder, increasing energy costs and wear.

Filter Change Procedure

Turn off the HVAC system
Locate the filter (usually in the return air duct or at the air handler)
Note the size printed on the old filter
Check the airflow arrow on the new filter — it points toward the blower
Insert and secure
Write the date on the filter edge for tracking

Seasonal Maintenance

Spring: Prepare for Cooling Season

DIY tasks:

Replace the air filter
Clear debris from around the outdoor condenser unit (maintain 2 feet of clearance)
Gently hose down the condenser coils (from inside out)
Check that the condensate drain line is clear (pour 1 cup vinegar down the line)
Test the AC — turn it on before the first hot day to catch problems early
Open all supply vents and make sure they're unobstructed

Professional tune-up (recommended):

Refrigerant level check
Electrical connection inspection
Blower motor and fan inspection
Thermostat calibration
Ductwork inspection

Fall: Prepare for Heating Season

DIY tasks:

Replace the air filter
Test the furnace before cold weather arrives
Check that the flue/exhaust vent is clear of obstructions
Ensure all vents and registers are open and unblocked
Install a fresh CO detector battery
Reverse ceiling fans to clockwise (pushes warm air down)

Professional tune-up (recommended):

Heat exchanger inspection (critical for safety — cracks can leak carbon monoxide)
Burner cleaning and inspection
Ignition system check
Gas pressure verification
Safety control testing

Thermostat Optimization

Programmable/Smart Thermostats

If you're still using a basic thermostat, upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat is one of the best investments you can make.

Recommended settings for NJ:

Winter:

Home/awake: 68°F
Away/sleeping: 62-65°F
Each degree you lower saves ~3% on heating costs

Summer:

Home: 76-78°F
Away: 82-85°F
Each degree you raise saves ~3% on cooling costs

Smart thermostat benefits:

Learns your schedule and adjusts automatically
Remote control via phone
Energy usage reports
Integration with other smart home devices
Many NJ utility companies offer rebates ($50-100)

Thermostat Placement

Your thermostat should be:

On an interior wall
Away from direct sunlight
Away from vents, windows, and doors
At about 5 feet height
Not near the kitchen (cooking heat affects readings)

Poor placement causes inaccurate readings, which means your system runs too much or too little.

Ductwork Maintenance

Signs Your Ducts Need Attention

Uneven temperatures between rooms
Excessive dust despite regular cleaning
Higher than normal energy bills
Whistling or rattling sounds from vents
Visible dust blowing from registers

Duct Sealing

Leaky ducts can waste 20-30% of your heated/cooled air. Common leak points:

Joints between duct sections
Where ducts connect to vents
Where ducts meet the air handler

DIY fix: Use mastic sealant or metal-backed tape (not regular duct tape — ironically, it fails on ducts).

Professional Duct Cleaning

When to consider:

After renovations (construction dust fills ducts)
If you see mold growth
If there's evidence of pest infestation
If family members have unexplained allergies that worsen indoors

How often: Every 3-5 years, or as needed based on the conditions above.

Cost: $300-500 for a typical NJ home. Beware of "$99 whole house" deals — they usually result in aggressive upselling.

Common HVAC Problems

Furnace Won't Start

Check first:

Thermostat is set to HEAT and temperature is set above current room temp
Power switch on furnace is ON
Circuit breaker hasn't tripped
Filter isn't clogged (a completely blocked filter can trigger safety shutdown)
Gas valve is open (if gas furnace)

AC Not Cooling

Check first:

Thermostat is set to COOL
Filter is clean
Outdoor unit is running and clear of debris
Condensate drain isn't clogged (can trigger safety shutdown)
Circuit breaker for outdoor unit hasn't tripped

Short Cycling

If your system turns on and off frequently (every few minutes):

Dirty filter (most common cause)
Thermostat issues (bad placement or malfunction)
Oversized system (too powerful for the space)
Refrigerant leak (AC only)

Carbon Monoxide Safety

Gas furnaces, water heaters, and boilers can produce carbon monoxide (CO) if not properly maintained.

CO Detector Requirements

NJ law requires CO detectors:

On every floor of the home
Within 10 feet of each bedroom
Near attached garages

Signs of CO Issues

Yellow or orange furnace flame (should be blue)
Excessive moisture on windows near the furnace
Soot or scorch marks around the furnace
Symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, nausea when the furnace runs

If your CO detector goes off: Evacuate immediately and call 911. Do not re-enter until cleared by the fire department.

HVAC Maintenance Schedule

Monthly:

Check/replace air filter
Ensure vents are open and unobstructed

Quarterly:

Inspect visible ductwork for damage
Clean around outdoor unit
Test CO detectors

Twice Yearly (Spring & Fall):

Professional tune-up
Seasonal system switch (heating to cooling or vice versa)
Clean condensate drain

Annually:

Replace CO detector batteries
Check and seal ductwork
Reverse ceiling fans

The Cost of Neglect

New furnace: $3,000-$8,000
New AC unit: $3,500-$7,500
New complete system: $7,000-$15,000
Annual maintenance contract: $150-300/year

Regular maintenance extends system life from 10-12 years to 15-20 years. That's $5,000-$10,000 in savings.

Need HVAC installation or home renovation in NJ? La Vaca General Contractors coordinates licensed HVAC technicians as part of our renovation projects. Serving Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic counties. Call (973) 842-8399 for a free consultation.

Comfortable homes, happy families. Licensed NJ contractors since 2020.