How Much Does HVAC Maintenance Cost? [2025 Data]

HVAC maintenance costs $250 on average, with a range between $100 and $650, depending on the HVAC type, location, and time of year. For a split AC and heating unit, you might spend up to $350 for routine maintenance. 

Regular HVAC maintenance helps prevent the need for significant HVAC repairs, which can impact your wallet. Maintaining your HVAC will also protect your home's comfort level when extreme weather hits. Here’s how to budget for yearly HVAC maintenance costs to keep your system running smoothly.

HVAC Maintenance Cost Factors

Your HVAC system is as unique as your home's architecture. Pairing an air conditioning and heating system is complex, and its design, size, and related maintenance will sway the cost of maintenance visits. Speaking with an HVAC company near you is the best way to know what kind of maintenance schedule you need for your home’s system. The costs we cover in this guide are for HVAC maintenance calls only—not the cost of an HVAC repair. 

Unit Type

The two major components of an HVAC system are the heating and cooling units. Your home may include everything from a furnace and central AC to a whole-house fan and a boiler. In some designs, such as a heat pump, one system performs both jobs. Each system features various vent work, thermostats, and special features that require attention. 

Maintenance Type 

There are two ways to break down types of HVAC maintenance: routine and proactive. Routine inspections assess basic maintenance needs for the most fundamental aspects of your HVAC system. Proactive maintenance is more involved and helps prevent more significant repairs down the line. There are times when your HVAC pro will combine the cost of an inspection and basic proactive maintenance.

Maintenance Contracts

Are HVAC service contracts worth the money? These contracts cover annual tuneups and basic repairs, depending on the agreement. Not only will they protect you in the event of major damage, but they can also keep you on track if you’re tempted to skip the maintenance visit altogether. These agreements range between $150 and $300 per year. However, going this route isn’t always the most cost-effective solution, so check local costs for HVAC maintenance before signing.

Labor

An HVAC professional will use several methods of charging for labor. If they have an hourly fee, expect $50 to $150 per hour, depending on the complexity of the service. In most cases, they will charge a flat fee by service, such as an inspection cost of $200 to $400 or costs calculated by the size of your home.

Location

Keep in mind that where you live will affect where the price falls on these ranges. In addition to the cost of living in your area, prices can change due to:

• Local climate

• Demand for HVAC professionals

• Access to your home

• Local tax rebates

Time of Year 

Your HVAC company will charge more during their busy months, so it’s best to plan your maintenance calls for their slower seasons whenever possible. HVAC companies are the busiest during the summer, with winter a close second, so scheduling maintenance in the fall or spring is a good idea. Plus, getting your maintenance done before the hottest and coldest parts of the year will help you make sure everything is working properly to avoid any last-minute problems.

How Often Should You Schedule HVAC Maintenance? 

Schedule your HVAC maintenance twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. For example, if you have a cooling system, schedule a tuneup in the spring before the summer heat kicks in. If you have a heating system, schedule another tuneup in the fall before winter temperatures drop. Timing your service calls ahead of time will help you stay comfy. 

You can also follow an HVAC maintenance checklist for DIY tasks like conducting regular visual inspections and regularly changing filters.

HVAC Maintenance Cost by Unit Type 

As we touched on above, maintenance costs for your HVAC will vary widely depending on the design of your system. Each type has a unique series of parts that require maintenance, repairs, and occasional replacement. 

Air Conditioner 

An annual AC tuneup costs between $60 and $200, depending on the type and size of your unit. You can even handle most window and portable AC tuneups yourself for little to no money. An AC tuneup will include:

• Cleaning or changing filters

• Clearing condensate lines

• Checking condensate drain pains

• Testing the evaporator coil

• Testing the thermostat

• Checking for loose electrical connections

• Cleaning air duct blockages

Furnace

Before the start of winter, invite a heating specialist to inspect your furnace for between $80 and $300. This is particularly important for gas-fueled furnaces, as your HVAC tech ensures no gas leak is present. 

During the visit, they will:

• Test the thermostat

• Inspect the ignitor

• Check for rust or corrosion

• Inspect electrical connections

• Test the motor fan

• Inspect the heat exchanger

• Inspect the gas valve

Mini-Split

One of the benefits of a mini-split is the lack of ductwork. Enjoy zoned cooling to lower your energy bills and spend less on maintenance than you would on an extensive central AC system. Annual HVAC maintenance for a mini-split costs between $300 and $550 on average and includes:

• Lubricating motors

• Testing for proper airflow

• Tightening connections

• Unit cleaning 

Heat Pump

Heat pump costs are lower than those for other systems in many respects, including maintenance. You’ll pay between $80 and $150 per year for basic heat pump maintenance, primarily so a pro can check electrical connections, lubricate the motor, inspect the coils, and check for leaks in the ductwork. 

Split System

You can also consider HVAC maintenance costs in terms of split and packaged systems. Split systems are the most common, with a unit inside and outside your home. Since your heating and cooling units run independently, they’re easier to monitor. HVAC maintenance for split systems ranges between $200 and $600 per year. 

Packaged Heating and Air 

While packaged AC and heaters aren’t the most common type of HVAC setup, they’re ideal for moderate climates and homes with minimal space. Since all parts are packed together in one system, it’s more costly to maintain. Expect to spend between $450 and $550 per year.

Cost of Common HVAC Maintenance Add-Ons

Having your HVAC system serviced is a great way to ensure its longevity while keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. But did you know that there are other projects you can do simultaneously that will help increase your home’s energy efficiency? Other projects that you can tackle at the same time as your HVAC maintenance include:

• Air duct cleaning cost: $270–$525

• Furnace cleaning cost: $70–$400

• Air duct sealing cost: $500–$4,000

• Mold remediation cost: $1,250–$3,750

• Thermostat repair or replacement cost: $125–$270

HVAC Repair vs. Replacement

The average HVAC replacement cost will almost always outweigh the cost of annual maintenance and follow-up repairs. You’ll pay anywhere from $5,000 to $12,500 for a new heating and cooling system or even more for one that needs extensive ductwork. The cost is only worth if:

• Repairs add up to more than a new system

• Your system is no longer efficient to run

• The system is too old to find replacement parts

Below, we’ve listed some of the most common HVAC repairs you might need. While the list isn’t all-inclusive, it does give you a good idea of what to expect as your heat and cooling system ages. 

DIY HVAC Maintenance vs. Hiring a Pro

One of the nicest perks of HVAC maintenance is that you can do basic—though essential—tasks yourself. Create an HVAC maintenance checklist to lower costs on repairs and the frequency of visits by a professional. Easy-to-DIY tasks include:

• Cleaning or changing HVAC filters

• Flushing the AC condensate line

• Dusting evaporator coils

• Inspecting and cleaning the outside of ductwork

• Clearing debris from your outside HVAC unit

• Testing your thermostat and reporting issues early

You’ll save an average of $150 by skipping one HVAC tuneup and handling the basics on your own. However, HVAC systems can be complicated due to their many moving parts, which is why calling a pro is the best way to ensure your system is being maintained properly. 

If you do choose to DIY your HVAC maintenance, it’s still important to call an HVAC specialist for at least one annual visit to ensure your system is safe and working efficiently.

How to Save Money on HVAC Maintenance Costs

The best way to lower HVAC maintenance costs is to keep your system in tip-top shape. As mentioned above, dusting and cleaning a system goes a long way. The earlier you catch a potential problem, the less expensive it may be to fix. Additional cost-saving tips include:

• Check your system's warranty and home insurance plan for reimbursement options.

• See if your home warranty covers an HVAC tuneup.  

• Schedule a tuneup during the slow time of year during the fall and spring.

• Monitor your HVAC energy use via smart thermostats so you can catch issues early on.

• Know when to replace your system instead of completing costly repairs.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.