Maintenance
HVAC & Water Heater Maintenance in Sonoma & Marin
Tune-ups that keep your system efficient and reliable.
The short answer
Green Core Heating & Air provides tune-ups and maintenance for heat pumps, air conditioners, furnaces, ductless mini splits, Harvest Thermal systems, and water heaters across Sonoma and Marin counties. Most systems need a tune-up once a year; heat pumps that heat and cool do best with a check before summer and again before winter.
Regular maintenance keeps your system running efficiently, catches small problems before they become breakdowns, and can help protect your manufacturer warranty. Most systems need a tune-up at least once a year, and heat pumps that heat and cool year-round do best with a check before summer and again before winter.
Every system we work on
What we maintain
Heating & cooling
Heat Pumps
Coil cleaning, refrigerant and electrical checks, and defrost and thermostat testing.
More about heat pumpsAir Conditioning
Condenser coil cleaning, capacitor and contactor tests, refrigerant check, and drain line clearing.
More about air conditioningFurnaces
Burner, flame sensor, and ignition service, safety checks, and filter replacement.
More about furnacesMini Splits
Indoor coil and blower cleaning, filter cleaning, and condensate drain checks.
More about mini splitsHarvest Thermal
System checks for heating, cooling, and hot water performance.
More about harvest thermal
Water heating
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Air filter cleaning, condensate drain check, and anode rod inspection.
More about heat pump water heatersTankless Water Heaters
Yearly descaling flush, inlet filter cleaning, and venting check.
More about tankless water heatersGas Water Heaters
Sediment flush, anode rod inspection, relief valve test, and venting and seismic strap check.
More about gas water heatersElectric Water Heaters
Sediment flush, element and thermostat test, and relief valve check.
More about electric water heaters
How it works
What to expect.
- 1
Book a tune-up
Call (707) 988-5858 or tap Book Now. Spring and fall are the best times.
- 2
Inspect and clean
We clean coils, filters, and drains and inspect every major component.
- 3
Test and measure
We check refrigerant, electrical, airflow, and safety controls against spec.
- 4
Clear report
You get a summary of what we found and anything to keep an eye on, with no pressure.
What a tune-up includes
Every tune-up is tailored to the equipment, but most include:
- Testing capacitors, contactors, and electrical connections
- Checking refrigerant pressures and temperature split
- Cleaning the outdoor coil and checking the indoor coil
- Clearing the condensate drain and checking for leaks
- Inspecting burners, igniter, flame sensor, and venting on gas furnaces
- Checking the blower, airflow, filter, and thermostat
- A written summary of what we found, with no-pressure recommendations
Signs it's time for a tune-up
If it's been more than a year since your last service, it's time. Other signs include rising energy bills, weaker airflow, longer run times, a system that's louder than it used to be, or a heat pump or AC that struggles on the first hot day.
What you can do between visits
A little homeowner care goes a long way.
- Replace or clean your air filter every one to three months
- Keep about two feet of clear space around the outdoor unit
- Rinse ductless mini split filters every month or two
- Keep supply and return vents open and unblocked
- Test your water heater's temperature and pressure relief valve once a year, if you're comfortable doing it
More than a quick check
Most no-cooling and no-heat calls we see start small: a weak capacitor, a clogged drain, a dirty flame sensor, or a slow refrigerant leak. A tune-up is our chance to catch those before they leave you without heat on a cold night. It also gives you an honest read on how much life your equipment has left, so a replacement never catches you by surprise.
When to schedule maintenance
| System | When | What we focus on |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump | Spring and fall | Coils, refrigerant, defrost cycle, electrical parts, drain |
| Air conditioner | Spring | Outdoor coil, refrigerant, capacitor and contactor, drain |
| Gas furnace | Fall | Burners, igniter, flame sensor, safeties, venting, blower |
| Ductless mini split | Once a year | Indoor coil, blower wheel, drain, outdoor unit |
| Tank water heater | Once a year | Sediment flush, anode rod, relief valve, venting |
| Tankless water heater | Once a year | Descaling, inlet filter, venting, error history |
| Heat pump water heater | Once a year | Air filter, condensate drain, anode rod, relief valve |
Our work
Recent projects in Sonoma and Marin
Real Green Core jobs for homeowners in Sonoma and Marin, with photos from the job site.
July 2026
HVAC maintenance and electrical diagnostics in Rohnert Park
We inspected the outdoor unit, attic air handler, and furnace, tested capacitors, contactors, and controls, checked refrigerant pressures, and cleared the condensate drain.
See the job photosJuly 2026
Condenser tune-up and cleaning in Petaluma
We cleaned and serviced the outdoor condenser units and checked the electrical disconnects to keep the cooling system running reliably through summer.
See the job photosJuly 2026
Furnace and AC tune-up with duct repair in Sonoma
We serviced an American Standard furnace and outdoor unit, tested the electrical components, cleaned the condenser coil, and replaced damaged duct sections.
See the job photos
Maintenance & Tune-Ups across Sonoma and Marin
- Petaluma
- Rohnert Park
- Santa Rosa
- Novato
- San Rafael
- Mill Valley
- Tiburon
- Sebastopol
- Cotati
- Windsor
- Sonoma
- San Anselmo
- Fairfax
Also see: HVAC & Water Heater Repair · Installation & Replacement
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How often should my HVAC system be serviced?
At least once a year. Heat pumps and mini splits that heat and cool year-round do best with two visits: one before summer and one before winter. Furnaces are best checked in the fall.
What's included in a tune-up?
We clean the coils, filters, and condensate drains, test electrical parts like capacitors and contactors, check refrigerant and airflow, and verify safety controls. For furnaces, we also service the burners, ignition, and flame sensor.
Do water heaters need maintenance?
Yes. Tank water heaters benefit from a sediment flush and anode rod check, tankless units need a yearly descaling flush, and heat pump water heaters need their air filter cleaned and drain checked.
Is maintenance worth it?
Clean coils, clear drains, and healthy electrical parts help a system run more efficiently and last longer, and a tune-up often catches a weak part before it fails on the hottest or coldest day of the year.
When is the best time to schedule a tune-up?
Spring for air conditioners and heat pumps, before the first heat wave, and fall for furnaces and heat pumps, before the cold sets in. Booking ahead of the busy season also makes scheduling easier.
How often should I change my air filter?
Every one to three months, depending on the filter, pets, and dust. Check it monthly during heavy heating or cooling.
Does a tankless water heater need maintenance?
Yes. Tankless water heaters should be descaled once a year, or more often with hard water, and the inlet filter should be cleaned so the unit keeps running efficiently.
Ready for comfort that just works?
Tell us a little about your home and we'll get back quickly with clear options — no hard sell.