Your 2026 Home Maintenance Calendar: HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical

Keeping up with home maintenance is easier when you have a schedule. Our technicians put together this month-by-month calendar based on what actually matters for Upstate SC homes — and what prevents the emergency calls we see most often.

January – February

Focus: Heating System & Freeze Protection

• Check air filter monthly (heating system runs hardest now)
• Verify carbon monoxide detectors are working
• Keep outdoor unit (heat pump) clear of ice and debris
• Know where your main water shut-off is in case of frozen pipe emergency
• If temperatures drop below 20°F: let faucets drip on exterior walls, open cabinet doors under sinks

March

Focus: Transition Season Prep

• Schedule spring AC tune-up (before the rush)
• Inspect outdoor faucets for winter damage — turn them on and check for leaks
• Test sump pump if applicable
• Replace smoke detector and CO detector batteries (if not hardwired)
• Clean dryer vent

April

Focus: Cooling System Startup

• Replace air filter
• Clear debris from outdoor AC/heat pump unit, trim vegetation to 2 feet clearance
• Test AC: run in cooling mode for 15-20 minutes, verify cold air from vents
• Pour vinegar down condensate drain line
• Check gutters and downspouts before spring storms

May

Focus: Plumbing & Outdoor Systems

• Flush water heater to remove sediment
• Inspect exposed pipes under sinks and in crawlspace for leaks
• Test all GFCI outlets (bathrooms, kitchen, garage, exterior)
• Inspect outdoor electrical outlets and covers
• Service irrigation system if applicable

June

Focus: Peak Cooling Preparation

• Check air filter (cooling season demands more frequent changes)
• Verify all supply and return vents are open and unobstructed
• Clean or rinse mini-split filters if applicable
• Check thermostat programming for summer schedule
• Inspect attic for proper ventilation (hot attic = harder-working AC)

July – August

Focus: Peak Usage Monitoring

• Check air filter monthly
• Pour vinegar down condensate drain line monthly
• Monitor energy bills for unusual increases (sign of system problems)
• Keep outdoor unit clean — rinse condenser coils if pollen/cottonwood buildup is visible
• Watch for signs of AC strain: longer run times, reduced cooling, ice on lines

September

Focus: Fall Transition

• Schedule fall heating tune-up
• Check weatherstripping on doors and windows
• Seal gaps around pipe and wire penetrations in exterior walls
• Test heating system before you need it: run in heating mode for 15 minutes
• Normal: slight burning smell when furnace first fires up (dust on heat exchanger). If smell persists beyond 30 minutes, call for service.

October

Focus: Freeze Preparation

• Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets
• Close interior shut-off valves to outdoor faucets (if equipped)
• Insulate exposed pipes in crawlspace, garage, and exterior walls
• Replace air filter
• Have the water heater inspected (anode rod check every 2-3 years)

November – December

Focus: Heating Season & Holiday Prep

• Check air filter monthly
• Verify all heating vents are open and unobstructed (furniture, rugs)
• Test carbon monoxide detectors
• Don’t overload electrical circuits with holiday lighting — use LED strings that draw less power
• Know the signs of a gas leak: rotten egg smell, hissing near gas lines, dead vegetation near an outdoor gas line
• Exercise shut-off valves under sinks and toilets (turn off and back on once a year)

The Club Wally Shortcut

This calendar covers what you can do yourself. For the professional items — system tune-ups, electrical inspections, water heater service, and duct evaluation — Club Wally handles it. Two annual tune-ups (heating and cooling), priority scheduling, and discounted repairs. It’s the simplest way to stay on top of home maintenance without tracking it all yourself.

YOUTUBE EMBED: Got High Water Pressure? This One Valve Fixes It FAST — @YallCallWally

Call Waldrop Plumbing Air Electric at (864) 536-0887 to join Club Wally or schedule any of the services on this list.

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