Let’s be honest. Nobody wakes up in September thinking, “Boy, I can’t wait to get my HVAC tuned up today.” Most of us don’t give our systems a second thought until something quits. You flip the switch on the AC in June, and if it cools, life’s good. You crank the heat in October, and if the house warms up, you move on with your day. That is, until the day it doesn’t. And then suddenly, the furnace is the only thing on your mind while you’re wrapped in three blankets wishing you had called somebody last week.

Here in Southern Illinois, we all know how it goes. One week you’re sweating through a ballgame in Carbondale, the next week you’re scraping frost off your windshield in Herrin. Our weather doesn’t exactly ease you into the season. That’s why a little TLC for your system right now is worth its weight in gold.

Think of it like this. You wouldn’t drive your truck across I-57 all winter without changing the oil first. Same deal with your HVAC. Take care of it now, and it won’t leave you stranded when the cold hits.

Here’s what that small bit of maintenance does for you:

• Prevents those “oh great, now what” moments. A quick check now means you’re not calling for help on the first freezing night in Benton.
• Keeps more cash in your wallet. A tuned-up system runs smoother, which means your Ameren bill isn’t climbing like a squirrel up a walnut tree.
• Helps your system last longer. HVAC equipment is an investment, and just like your car or truck, it does better with a little upkeep.
• Protects your family. Carbon monoxide leaks, loose wires, all the stuff you can’t see, gets caught before it becomes a problem.

So no, maintenance isn’t flashy. It’s not something you brag about over coffee at Marion’s Tower Square. But when your neighbor is posting on Facebook about how their heat went out at 10 p.m., you’ll be sitting toasty warm, glad you handled it.

When I say “HVAC maintenance,” I don’t just mean changing the filter and hoping for the best. A solid maintenance visit is like a seasonal health check for your whole comfort system. Below are the components, what each service does, and what you get by taking care of all of them. Then I’ll connect this to maintenance plans, warranties, and why being up-to-date with care saves you more than you spend.

Maintenance for the Air Conditioning System

For your AC, maintenance usually includes:

• Cleaning or replacing filters (you’d be surprised how fast they clog, especially with all the pollen around Benton, Carterville, or West Frankfort).
• Washing or wiping the outdoor condenser coil, checking for debris (leaves, grass, mud, that kind of mess).
• Checking refrigerant levels and pressure.
• Verifying fan motor operation, belts (if any), electrical connections.
• Checking the drain pan and condensate line to make sure water flows away properly.

Why this matters: A clean, well-tuned AC keeps your house cooler using less electricity, reduces risk of compressor failure, avoids nasty water damage from clogged drains, and keeps you from sweating through the first hot spell next summer.

Maintenance for the Furnace (or Heating System)

Once we’re flipping that thermostat up, your furnace or heating component gets stressed in different ways. Maintenance here includes:

• Cleaning or replacing furnace filters.
• Inspecting the heat exchanger for cracks or damage.
• Checking burners, ignition system, pilot light or electronic ignitor for safe and clean combustion.
• Lubricating motors, checking belts, making sure the blower is working right.
• Inspecting flue vents / exhaust systems for blockages or leaks, and checking carbon monoxide detectors.

Why this matters: When the furnace fires up, you want it doing so safely, cleanly, and without wasting fuel. Proper maintenance reduces breakdowns, carbon monoxide risk, and energy waste. Plus, you don’t want a nasty “it won’t fire up, cold house, tonight” surprise.

Maintenance for the Whole Package System

Many homes have a “package system” or at least both AC and heating tightly integrated (heat pump, or gas furnace + AC, or a split system with shared components). Maintenance of the whole system means doing all the checks above plus extra steps:

• Inspect and test both cooling and heating modes (for heat pumps) to verify the system flips cleanly between them.
• Check matching of indoor coil/air handler to outdoor unit (correct size, airflow, refrigerant match).
• Inspect ductwork: leaks, blockages, insulation, proper sealing.
• Thermostat calibration and control system checks.
• Electrical panel checks for both sides, safety switches, relays.

Why this matters: When you do the whole system, the pieces support each other. If one subsystem is neglected (say the heating isn’t clean), it adds wear to shared parts (blower, motor). It can increase energy bills, raise repair risk, and shorten lifespan of everything. It also means you get better performance year-round, not just when the season pushes you to turn something on.

Warranty Requirements That Tied to Maintenance. Did You Know???

Here’s where it gets real: many manufacturers require proof of maintenance to keep warranty coverage valid. If you skip your yearly check, you may risk voiding parts of the warranty. I found some solid info to back that up:

• Lennox warranty documents say: “The new Lennox unit must be properly installed, operated and **maintained by a licensed professional installer (or equivalent), or by a service agency in accordance with the unit installation, operation and maintenance instructions provided with each Lennox unit. Failure to provide maintenance per Lennox instructions will void the warranty.”

• Daikin in their warranty and “Parts Limited Warranty” language require that the unit must receive annual maintenance by a licensed HVAC contractor, and you must have records of that service to qualify for certain warranty benefits (e.g. lifetime heat exchanger warranty, certain replacement warranties).

So, when you sign up for a maintenance program, you’re not just getting peace of mind. You’re also protecting your warranty.

When you sign up for a maintenance plan with Overall Comfort, you’re not just penciling in another bill on the calendar. You’re buying yourself two thorough system cleanings every year, the kind that dig into a 41-point checklist so nothing gets overlooked. That means every fall and spring, your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump gets attention before the season really puts it to the test. It’s the difference between reacting to breakdowns and preventing them altogether.

Each plan comes with its own extras that make ownership simpler. Filters are covered so you’re not running to the hardware store at the last minute. Drain pans are treated so you’re not surprised by water damage. And when something does need fixing, you’re not paying full price. Depending on the plan you choose, repairs come at 10, 15, or even 20 percent off, which adds up fast when you consider the cost of replacement parts or major service calls.

Another part folks in Herrin, Marion, and Benton appreciate is that there’s no overtime diagnostic fee. If your system acts up at the wrong time, you don’t get hit with a bigger bill just because it happened after hours. That kind of cushion keeps your wallet safe and keeps the stress down when the unexpected happens.

The benefits stack up quickly. Systems last longer when they’re cleaned and checked twice a year. Energy bills drop when equipment isn’t straining against dust, leaks, or worn-out parts. Comfort stays steady from Carbondale to West Frankfort because the air is flowing the way it should. And most importantly, you get peace of mind knowing you’re protecting not just your investment, but your family’s comfort and safety.

If you’ve been on the fence about whether a maintenance plan is worth it, this is the nudge. Pick the level that fits your home, and you’ll stop worrying about surprises and start enjoying the comfort you expect all year long. Call Overall Comfort today, and let’s get your plan started before the next season flips on us.