Residential air conditioners should ideally be maintained once a year. Regular maintenance helps to ensure the system's best possible performance, efficiency, and lifespan. A competent HVAC technician can clean and examine components, check refrigerant levels, verify electrical connections, and fix minor concerns during a service session. Timely maintenance enhances indoor comfort, lowers the chance of unexpected breakdowns, and preserves energy efficiency. If you have a heating and cooling system in the same unit, it is best to schedule maintenance for the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall.