What Does Preventative HVAC Maintenance Prevent?
How regular HVAC checkups prevent breakdowns, improve efficiency, and extend the life of your system.
Stop Problems Before They Start
The Real Value of HVAC Maintenance
At Santa Fe Heating and Cooling, LLC, we believe that a little care now can save you a world of trouble (and money) later. That’s the whole point of preventative HVAC maintenance—a systematic way to catch problems before they become disasters.
So what exactly does preventative maintenance prevent? Let’s break it down, season by season, component by component. Whether you’re cooling your home through the hot Santa Fe summers or heating it through the chilly desert nights, your HVAC system works hard. Maintenance ensures it doesn’t break down when you need it most.
Call us if you need help with heating and cooling in Santa Fe!
1. Change Your Air Filter—Seriously
Spring Maintenance: Prepping for the Heat
When spring rolls around, your air conditioning system becomes the star of the show. Here’s what a thorough spring tune-up from our techs looks like—and what we’re working to prevent:
✅ Electrical Failures
We inspect all electrical connections, ensuring nothing is loose or corroded. Faulty electrical components can lead to system shutdowns or even hazardous shorts. Tightening and testing these connections helps prevent:
Power loss to critical components
Risk of electrical fires
System inefficiencies
✅ Dirty Airflow and Poor Indoor Air Quality
We check and change air filters, ensuring your system isn’t straining to push air through clogged dust. Dirty filters reduce efficiency and can pump allergens into your home. We recommend checking filters monthly and replacing them at least every three months—more often during allergy season or if you have pets.
✅ Overheating Components
The evaporator and condenser coils are essential for cooling. When they’re dirty, your system runs longer and harder than necessary, increasing wear and raising your energy bills. We clean them to prevent:
Reduced cooling capacity
Compressor burnout
Higher energy costs
✅ Motor and Compressor Strain
We test the amperage draw on both the blower motor and compressor. If they’re pulling more amps than they should, it’s a sign they’re working too hard—possibly due to other hidden issues. Addressing this early can prevent:
Blower motor failure
Compressor burnout
Higher electricity bills
✅ Early Failures of Key Components
Some parts like capacitors and contactors are small but mighty. A failed capacitor means your AC won’t even start. A burnt or charred contactor can stop your compressor from turning on at all. We look for:
Bulging capacitors (about to fail)
Charred contactors (signs of wear or electrical arcing)
✅ System Imbalance
We also check the delta-T (difference between return and supply air temps). A misaligned delta-T could mean the system isn’t cooling properly. We fix that before it leads to:
Inefficient performance
Uncomfortable indoor temps
Hidden leaks or airflow issues
It’s easy to forget, but this one tip can make or break your comfort. A dirty filter restricts airflow, forces your AC to work harder, and leads to everything from frozen coils to higher energy bills.
Pro Tip: Change your filter every 30–90 days, depending on dust, pets, and usage. If it looks gray or clogged—don’t wait. Change it today.
Winter Maintenance
Heat Without Hassles
When winter hits, we switch gears to focus on your heating equipment—whether that’s a gas furnace, propane system, or another setup.
Carbon Monoxide Leaks
A cracked heat exchanger or poor sealing can allow carbon monoxide to seep into your home—something no homeowner wants. We perform combustion analysis and sealing inspections to prevent:
Dangerous CO leaks
Health risks for your family
Legal or insurance issues in rental properties
Ignition Failures
We check ignitors and flame sensors—if these fail, your furnace won’t light or will shut down intermittently. These are common sources of “no heat” calls during winter, and we aim to catch them early.
Indoor Comfort Problems
The indoor blower motor gets tested and cleaned to ensure your system delivers consistent heat. If it’s running slowly or erratically, you might have cold spots or weak airflow throughout your home.
Noisy, Failing Draft Motors
A rattling draft motor is more than just annoying—it’s a warning sign. Draft motors help vent combustion gases safely. If they fail, your furnace might shut down or run unsafely. If we catch this during a tune-up, we can replace it before it becomes a bigger (and costlier) problem.
Proper Fuel Flow
We also inspect gas pressures and all electrical connections. Low or inconsistent gas pressure can reduce heat output or cause shutdowns. Monitoring this prevents:
Inconsistent heating
Incomplete combustion (leading to CO production.
Gas valve failures
Year-Round Essentials
The Filter Rule
No matter the season, your air filter is your first line of defense. Dirty filters are one of the top causes of:
Reduced airflow
Poor indoor air quality
Frozen coils in summer
Overheating furnaces in winter
Check your filter monthly. Replace it every 3 months—or more often if you have allergies, pets, or heavy system use. Don’t skip this—it’s the simplest way to protect your HVAC investment.
A Few More Hidden Time Bombs We Catch
Preventative maintenance isn’t just about what’s obvious. Here are a few more sneaky problems we’re always on the lookout for:
Mismatched thermostat calibration – Your home may feel colder or warmer than your settings indicate.
Clogged condensate drains – Can lead to water damage and mold growth.
Rodent damage – Wires chewed by pests can cause shorts or shutdowns, especially in rural or semi-rural areas.
Insulation degradation – Reduces energy efficiency and can be corrected with simple repairs.
Fan belt wear – A small fray can quickly become a full system stoppage.
Why It Matters for Santa Fe Homes
Living in Northern New Mexico means your HVAC system faces temperature extremes—hot, dry summers and cold, often windy winters. The rapid temperature swings in areas like Tesuque, Los Alamos, or Española make regular HVAC checkups a no-brainer.
You’re not just preventing breakdowns—you’re protecting your family’s comfort, reducing energy bills, and extending the life of your system.
Get Peace of Mind—Schedule Your Maintenance Today
At Santa Fe Heating and Cooling, we’re committed to keeping our neighbors safe, warm, and cool—no matter the season. Our preventative maintenance services are thorough, transparent, and tailored to your system and home.
We’re not just here when something breaks. We’re here to make sure it doesn’t break in the first place.
- Call today to schedule your seasonal HVAC tune-up
- Reliable. Transparent. Done right the first time.
- Serving Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Española, White Rock, and beyond.
