Maintenance reminders that keep your home’s air clean
Clean Air Experts sends free email reminders when it’s time to change your air filter, get the AC or heating checked, clean the dryer vent or have the system inspected. Each one is timed for North Texas seasons, says exactly what to do, and follows current EPA and ENERGY STAR guidance. You choose which reminders you get, and you can stop them with one click.
What you’ll get
Air filter
Every 1, 2, 3 or 6 months, your choice
A heads-up to change the filter, with your filter size in the email if you add it. A clean filter protects the coil and blower and keeps dust out of the ducts.
Spring AC check
Every March
Before the first hot week: a pre-season check-up (ENERGY STAR’s timing), a clear drain line, a clean outdoor coil and a fresh filter. This is when most summer breakdowns are caught early.
Fall heating check
Every October
Before the first cold night: a furnace or heat pump check, a carbon monoxide alarm test and a fresh filter. EPA advises having fuel-burning furnaces inspected before each heating season.
Dryer vent
Once a year
Failure to clean is the leading cause of home dryer fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. We remind you once a year and list the signs that it can’t wait.
Whole-system check
Every 3 years
A free inspection of the ducts, coil and blower, with photos. EPA recommends cleaning only when there’s a reason, so we tell you if it can wait.
Chimney and fireplace
Every September
For homes with a fireplace: the yearly inspection NFPA 211 calls for, before you light the first fire of the season.
Fewer summer breakdowns
A clogged condensate line, a loaded filter or a dirty coil causes most of the leaks, frozen coils and no-cool calls we see in July and August. Each one is cheap to prevent in March.
Lower bills
ENERGY STAR says airflow problems alone can cut a system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent. A clean filter and coil are the first fix.
Cleaner air, less dust
The filter is what keeps dust, dander and pollen out of the ducts and off the coil. Changed on time, it works; forgotten, it doesn’t.
Safer home
Dryer vents, chimneys and furnaces are where home fires and carbon monoxide start. A yearly reminder is the simplest safeguard.
Where maintenance matters in a North Texas home
Eleven places that decide how clean, safe and efficient your home’s air is. Tap a number for what to do and how often.
1Air filter and return grilleCheck monthly; change every 1–3 months (1-inch filters)
- Use MERV 13 or higher, as high as your system’s fan and filter slot handle, as EPA recommends. We can check what your system takes.
- Write the size on the grille or in your phone; it’s printed on the filter’s edge.
- Change it sooner with pets, after a remodel, a move-in or a smoky week. Make sure there’s no gap around it.
Covered by the Air filter reminder
Source: EPA · ENERGY STAR
2Air handler: coil and blowerProfessional check every spring and fall
- The evaporator coil cools and dries the air; the blower moves it. Dust on either cuts airflow and raises humidity.
- ENERGY STAR’s pre-season check-up includes cleaning the coils, checking refrigerant and cleaning the blower.
- Musty smell when the AC starts, or ice on the lines? Call before it leaks.
Covered by the Spring AC check reminder
Source: ENERGY STAR
3Condensate drain lineChecked each spring; watch it all summer
- In a Texas summer the coil pulls gallons of water out of the air every day. It leaves through this line.
- Water in the drain pan, a tripped float switch or a ceiling stain under the attic unit mean the line is clogging.
- EPA lists keeping drain pans draining properly as a key way to prevent mold in the system.
Covered by the Spring AC check reminder
Source: EPA
4Ducts and registersInspect every 3 years; clean only when needed
- Keep registers open and unblocked by furniture and rugs.
- ENERGY STAR says a typical duct system loses 20 to 30 percent of the air it moves through leaks and loose joints. Seal with mastic or metal tape, never duct tape.
- EPA recommends cleaning when there’s visible mold, pests, or dust and debris blowing from the registers, not on a fixed schedule.
Covered by the Whole-system check reminder
Source: ENERGY STAR · EPA
5Attic insulationLook once a year; measure the depth
- ENERGY STAR’s level for an uninsulated attic in our climate zone (zone 3) is R-49.
- Thin, flattened or stained insulation, or signs of rodents, are worth a photo and a call.
- Seal attic air leaks before adding insulation.
Covered by the Whole-system check reminder
Source: ENERGY STAR
6Outdoor AC unitClear it monthly in summer; coil cleaned each spring
- Keep about 2 feet clear around it: no grass clippings, leaves or shrubs against the fins.
- Rinse the fins gently with a garden hose, with the power off at the outdoor disconnect. Never use a pressure washer.
- ENERGY STAR’s spring check-up includes cleaning the condenser coil.
Covered by the Spring AC check reminder
Source: ENERGY STAR
7ThermostatCheck the schedule each season
- The Department of Energy says setting the thermostat back 7–10 °F for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling.
- In summer, set it as high as is comfortable while you’re home; a ceiling fan lets you raise it about 4 °F with no loss of comfort.
- Replace thermostat batteries each fall if it uses them.
Covered by the Spring AC check reminder
Source: U.S. Department of Energy · U.S. Department of Energy
8Dryer ventLint screen every load; vent once a year
- Clean the lint screen before or after every load (CPSC).
- Use rigid or semi-rigid metal duct, not plastic or foil accordion duct.
- Clothes taking longer to dry, a hot laundry room, or no air at the outside hood while it runs mean the vent is blocked.
Covered by the Dryer vent reminder
Source: CPSC
9Kitchen and bath fansEvery time you cook or shower
10Chimney and fireplaceInspect once a year, before the first fire
- NFPA 211 calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year, and swept when the inspection finds a need.
- Check the damper opens and closes, and that the cap is in place against birds and rain.
- Burn only dry, seasoned wood. Wet wood builds creosote fast, and trash or cardboard can start a chimney fire.
Covered by the Chimney and fireplace reminder
Source: CSIA on NFPA 211
11CO alarms and humidityTest monthly; batteries yearly
- CPSC: put carbon monoxide alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas, test them monthly and change batteries once a year.
- EPA: keep indoor humidity below 60%, ideally 30 to 50%. An inexpensive hygrometer tells you where you are.
- Humidity over 55% in summer usually points to a dirty coil, an oversized system or a fan left on ON instead of AUTO.
Covered by the Fall heating check reminder
The home air maintenance checklist
What to do, and when, for a typical Dallas–Fort Worth home with central air.
Every load
- Clean the dryer’s lint screen
Every month
- Look at the air filter; change it when it’s gray
- Test carbon monoxide and smoke alarms
- Summer: clear around the outdoor unit and check the drain pan
Every 1–3 months
- Change a 1-inch filter (6–12 months for a 4–5 inch media filter)
- Clean the range hood grease filter
March
- Pre-season AC check-up: coils, refrigerant, blower, drain line
- Fresh filter before pollen and heat
- Rinse the outdoor coil
September–October
- Chimney inspection before the first fire
- Furnace or heat pump check-up
- New alarm batteries; check humidity as the house closes up
Every year
- Dryer vent cleaned to the outside hood
- Look at the attic: insulation depth, rodents, duct connections
Every 3 years
- Whole-system inspection with photos; clean only if EPA’s reasons are there
After an event
- Remodel, new floors or paint: filter change and a duct check
- Leak or flood: dry within 24–48 hours
- Smoke or dust storm: change the filter early
What the EPA recommends right now
Guidance changes. Our website checks these EPA and ENERGY STAR pages every morning; when one changes, we review this page and the reminders the same week.
- Filters
Use a filter rated MERV 13 or higher, up to the highest rating your system’s fan and filter slot can handle. Ask an HVAC technician what fits. Replace filters on the manufacturer’s schedule.
Source: EPA
- Duct cleaning
Clean ducts as needed, not routinely: when there is substantial visible mold, vermin, or excessive dust and debris, including particles blowing from the registers. Fix the moisture behind any mold first. Be wary of anyone who claims EPA certification or pushes routine cleaning; EPA doesn’t certify duct cleaners.
Source: EPA
- Chemicals and sealants
Biocides only after physical cleaning and only where there is visible growth; none are registered for fiberglass duct board or lined ducts. Duct sealants to “encapsulate” dirt are not recommended routinely. Ozone generators aren’t a safe way to clean indoor air.
- Moisture and mold
Keep indoor humidity below 60%, ideally 30–50%. Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours. Mold covering more than about 10 square feet may need a professional.
Source: EPA
- Cooking
Run a range hood that vents outdoors while cooking and for 10 to 20 minutes after, and use the back burners. Without one, open windows when outdoor air allows, use a portable air cleaner that makes no ozone, and use a MERV 13 filter in the HVAC system.
Source: EPA
- Heating season
Have fuel-burning furnaces, stoves and fireplaces inspected and serviced before each heating season to guard against carbon monoxide.
Source: EPA
- Radon
Test your home no matter what zone you live in. Fix it at 4 pCi/L or higher, and consider fixing it between 2 and 4.
Source: EPA
- Seasonal check-ups (ENERGY STAR)
Cooling check-up in spring, heating check-up in fall. Check the filter monthly. Airflow problems can reduce a system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent.
Source: ENERGY STAR
How to keep the house clean, and the air with it
Stop dust at the door
Shoes off inside and a washable mat on both sides of each entry. A lot of household dust is tracked in from outdoors.
Vacuum with a HEPA vacuum
EPA lists regular vacuuming with a HEPA or high-efficiency vacuum as one way to keep ducts cleaner. Go slowly; once or twice a week.
Dust damp, top to bottom
A damp microfiber cloth holds dust instead of throwing it back into the air. Start with ceiling fans and shelves, vacuum last.
Wash bedding weekly
Sheets and pillowcases in hot water once a week keep dust mites in check. Mites thrive in damp air, another reason to hold humidity at 50% or lower.
Seal the registers before a project
EPA recommends covering supply and return registers during dusty work like sanding, demolition or drywall. Run the system again only after cleanup, with a new filter.
Skip the scents
Plug-ins, sprays and candles add to indoor pollution. Open windows when outdoor air is good, and never use an ozone “purifier”.
Put an air cleaner where you sleep
A portable HEPA air cleaner sized for the bedroom helps most during pollen season and smoky days. Choose one that makes no ozone.
Keep returns clear
Furniture against a return grille starves the system of air. Give returns and supply registers a few inches of space.
Brush pets outside
Dander is light and stays airborne. Brushing outdoors and washing pet beds weekly keeps it out of the filter and the ducts.
Fix drips the same day
A slow leak under a sink or around a window is all mold needs. Dry it within 24 to 48 hours.
What actually lowers the bill
Airflow first
A clean filter, coil and blower. ENERGY STAR: airflow problems can cut efficiency by up to 15 percent.
Source: ENERGY STAR
Seal the ducts
A typical duct system loses 20 to 30 percent of its air. Sealing and insulating attic ducts is often the biggest single fix in a DFW home.
Source: ENERGY STAR
Insulate the attic
R-49 for an uninsulated attic in climate zone 3. Blown insulation settles over the years, so measure the depth before you add more.
Source: ENERGY STAR
Use the thermostat schedule
Up to 10% a year from setting back 7–10 °F for 8 hours a day, per the Department of Energy.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Ceiling fans, counterclockwise
In summer they let you raise the thermostat about 4 °F with no loss of comfort. Turn them off when you leave the room; fans cool people, not rooms.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Fan on AUTO, not ON
With the fan on ON, water on the coil blows back into the house between cycles, so humidity climbs. AUTO lets the coil drain.
Air quality in a DFW home, season by season
Ozone season
In Texas, ozone season runs roughly March through November, and Dallas–Fort Worth gets Ozone Action Days. Sign up for TCEQ’s free email or text alerts. On high-ozone afternoons, air the house out in the morning instead and keep hard outdoor exercise for cleaner days.
Pollen all year
North Texas has pollen almost every month: cedar in winter, trees in spring, grasses in summer and ragweed in fall. Change the filter as the seasons turn and keep windows closed on high-pollen days.
Dust and smoke events
Summer Saharan dust and distant wildfire smoke both reach DFW some years. Close up the house, run the system with a MERV 13 filter, and change the filter once the event passes.
Radon
North Texas is generally low for radon, but EPA says to test every home regardless of zone. Kits are inexpensive.
Source: EPA
Gas appliances
A gas range, furnace or water heater can add combustion gases to indoor air. Vent the range outdoors, keep CO alarms working, and have gas appliances checked each fall.
After water damage
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours. If water got into the air handler or ducts, have them inspected before you run the system for long.
Source: EPA
Start your free reminders
How it works
Pick your reminders
Choose the ones that fit your home. No fireplace? Leave the chimney one off.
Get a welcome email
It lists your schedule with the first date for each reminder.
Get a short email when something is due
What to do yourself, what needs a pro, and the signs it can’t wait. Book from the email only if you want to.
Booked with us online?
If you left “Send me a reminder when my next service is due” checked, you’re already signed up, starting from your visit date.
Questions about maintenance reminders
Are the maintenance reminders free?
Yes. Anyone in Dallas–Fort Worth can sign up, customer or not. They’re short emails that say what’s due and what to do. Booking is never required, and every email has a one-click stop link.
How often should I change my air filter?
ENERGY STAR says to check it every month. Most 1-inch filters last 1 to 3 months and 4- to 5-inch media filters 6 to 12 months. Change it sooner with pets, construction dust or smoke. Pick 1, 2, 3 or 6 months when you sign up.
How often should air ducts be cleaned?
EPA recommends cleaning ducts when there’s a reason (visible mold, pests, or heavy dust and debris), not on a fixed schedule. We remind you every 3 years for a free inspection with photos, and we tell you plainly if cleaning can wait.
What filter should I use?
EPA recommends MERV 13 or higher, as high as your system can handle. Most residential systems take MERV 13 if it’s changed on schedule. A very dense filter can restrict airflow in some systems, so we check yours during a visit.
When should I get my AC checked in Dallas–Fort Worth?
In March, before the first hot week. ENERGY STAR recommends a cooling check-up in spring and a heating check-up in fall. We send both reminders.
I booked online. Am I already signed up?
If you left “Send me a reminder when my next service is due” checked when you booked, yes. Your reminders start from your visit date. Use the form on this page to choose different reminders.
Can I get a text instead of an email?
Reminders come by email. Add your mobile number and check the box if you’d also like our office to text you when a seasonal check is due. Reply STOP anytime.
Do you share my email?
No. We use it only for your reminders and your service. It’s never sold or shared.
Sources
- EPA: What is a MERV rating? (updated Jan 14, 2026)
- EPA: Should you have the air ducts in your home cleaned? (updated Feb 19, 2026)
- EPA: A brief guide to mold, moisture and your home
- EPA: Improving indoor air quality while cooking (updated Mar 10, 2026)
- EPA: Guide to air cleaners in the home
- EPA: Ozone generators that are sold as air cleaners
- EPA: Radon zones and testing
- ENERGY STAR: Heating and cooling maintenance checklist
- ENERGY STAR: Duct sealing
- ENERGY STAR: Recommended insulation levels
- U.S. Department of Energy: Thermostats
- U.S. Department of Energy: Fans for cooling
- CPSC: Clothes dryer fire safety
- CPSC: Carbon monoxide alarms
- CSIA on NFPA 211: yearly chimney inspection
- TCEQ: Ozone Action Day alerts for Dallas–Fort Worth
- AirNow: today’s air quality
General guidance for homeowners, reviewed October 2026. Follow your equipment maker’s instructions, and call a licensed professional for gas, electrical or refrigerant work.
Want a pro to check it all at once?
Book a free in-home visit. We inspect the filter, coil, blower, drain, ducts, attic and dryer vent, photograph what we find, and tell you what can wait.