Make access easy
Keep the path to heating equipment clear and leave space around service panels. If storage has accumulated in the equipment area, move it before the appointment. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for clearances around the system.
Write down changes you noticed last winter: an upstairs room that stayed cold, repeated shutdowns, unusual sounds or thermostat behavior. These details help focus the visit.
Check what you can safely reach
Look at a safely accessible filter and follow the equipment instructions for replacement. Confirm that supply and return openings are not blocked by furniture, rugs or stored items. Check the thermostat schedule without changing unfamiliar installer settings.
A maintenance visit is a good time to ask which filter fits the system and how often it should be inspected in your home. There is no single replacement interval that suits every filter and household.
What will the technician check?
ENERGY STAR recommends a heating check before winter. Depending on the installed equipment, professional checks can include controls, electrical connections, motor operation and heating-specific safety or combustion checks.
RJ Sam’s maintenance checklist includes furnace burner, gas-pressure, inducer-motor, flue and safety-switch checks where applicable. Heat pumps and other equipment need their own relevant checks.
What does the visit include?
An inspection can identify a need for separate cleaning, supplies or repairs. Ask which tasks are included and request the scope and price of additional work before approving it.
The Maintenance Plan is $240/year for one system, plus $120/year for each additional system. Signup waives the $79.95 HVAC diagnostic fee. Review the agreement and covered equipment so you know how the plan applies to your home.
