Why Houston needs the spring + fall cadence
In Cleveland or Salt Lake City, 'annual HVAC maintenance' usually means one tune-up per year - the system runs in cooling mode for 3-4 months, then heating for 5-6 months, with shoulder seasons giving it real rest. Houston is different. Our cooling season runs roughly mid-March through mid-November, which means the AC works hard for ~9 months. That much runtime ages equipment faster, accumulates more dust on coils, drains more condensate, and cycles more capacitors.
Manufacturer warranties for major HVAC brands (Goodman, Carrier, Lennox, Trane, Daikin) require documented annual maintenance. Most warranty claims that get denied trace back to 'lack of proper maintenance' - and the technician inspecting the failure can usually tell from the coil and pan condition whether it has been serviced or not.
Spring tune-up checklist
A complete spring tune-up at Avatex (we do not skip steps to fit more visits in a day) includes:
- Outdoor condenser coil cleaning - chemical or rinse, removing pollen, lint, and grass clippings.
- Indoor evaporator coil inspection (and cleaning if visible buildup).
- Refrigerant pressure check at both suction and head sides; superheat and subcool readings to confirm proper charge.
- Capacitor microfarad test under load. Replacement if drifted more than 10 percent below spec.
- Contactor inspection - replacement if pitted or chattering.
- Condensate drain flush (wet-vac on the outdoor end + clean water flush from the indoor access tee).
- Float switch test on the secondary drain pan.
- Filter inspection and replacement if needed.
- Thermostat calibration check; battery replacement on smart thermostats with battery backup.
- Temperature differential measurement across the indoor coil (target: 17-22 deg F drop).
- Static pressure measurement at the air handler (target: under 0.5 in. wc).
- Final visual inspection of all electrical connections, refrigerant line insulation, condensate drain slope, and outdoor pad level.
Fall tune-up checklist
Fall focuses on heating equipment - the furnace (or heat pump in heating mode):
- Heat exchanger visual inspection for cracks, corrosion, or rust streaks (a cracked heat exchanger leaks combustion gases - it is not a fix-it-later issue).
- Gas pressure measurement at the manifold; adjustment if outside manufacturer spec.
- Burner inspection and cleaning.
- Ignition system test (hot surface igniter or pilot, depending on age).
- Flame sensor cleaning and millivolt test (the most common reason a furnace stops working mid-season).
- Carbon monoxide spillage test at the flue draft hood.
- Combustion analysis (CO and O2 measurement at the flue) - critical for safety and efficiency.
- Electrical sweep: capacitors on heat pump systems, all electrical connections on furnace systems.
- Filter replacement if not done in the last 60 days.
- Thermostat heating-mode test.
- Visual inspection of vent piping and combustion air supply.
What you can do between visits
- Replace your filter on its rated cadence (1-inch monthly during cooling season; 4-inch every 6-9 months).
- Keep two feet of clearance around the outdoor unit - no plant debris, no grass clippings, no patio furniture leaning against it.
- Pour a cup of distilled white vinegar into the condensate drain access tee every 60-90 days during cooling season. Helps prevent slime buildup.
- Listen for changes - new humming, hesitation on startup, longer run cycles, or a different smell. Catch issues early.
- Watch indoor humidity. If your smart thermostat shows 60+ percent RH on a 95-degree day, something has shifted since the last tune-up.
Maintenance plans - what they should include
A good HVAC maintenance plan includes both seasonal visits, priority scheduling during peak season (so you do not wait 3 days for service in mid-July), and a meaningful discount on parts and labor for any repair work. Avatex offers maintenance plans for one or two systems; we do not lock you in for years - month-to-month or annual is your call. Plans pay for themselves within 1-2 repairs in the typical Houston home, and the system simply runs longer when it is taken care of.