Annual furnace maintenance in Des Moines is one of the smartest investments homeowners can make for comfort, safety, and efficiency. A common question our service techs and sales team hear often is: How important is annual furnace maintenance?

Our simple answer: extremely important.

When you buy a new car, do you run it 100,000 miles without getting the oil changed? Not a chance. It’s the same idea with your home’s heating system. Annual furnace maintenance in Des Moines keeps your furnace working efficiently and reduces the chances of an unexpected midwinter breakdown.

Benefits of Annual Furnace Maintenance in Des Moines

One of the main concerns for your furnace is dirt. Homeowners in Iowa typically use their furnace for six months of the year. For the other six months when the furnace isn’t being used, dirt and dust accumulates in the machine, which prevents the furnace from working at peak performance.

Quick fact: By not properly cleaning your furnace every year, your HVAC system can lose up to 40% of efficiency.

Routine annual furnace maintenance in Des Moines helps extend the life of your furnace and also ensures it’s working safely. Professional service performed by a trained technician should include:

Full cleaning of HVAC system
Inspection of safety switches and devices
Check of heat exchanger for cracks or damage
Filter replacement
Calibration of temperature controls and economizer controls
Adjustment of fans and belts
Inspections of all electrical components

DIY? Furnace Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

While most furnace maintenance needs to be performed by a professional, there are a few things homeowners can do to keep their system working efficiently throughout fall and winter.

Change your furnace filter regularly. Standard 1-inch disposable filters should be changed monthly while high-efficiency air cleaners can be changed less often.
Don’t overwork your system. The perfect situation in the winter is 72 degrees and 35% relative humidity. If you’re turning your furnace up, that means your humidity could be too low. Using a humidifier to raise the humidity to 35% allows you to be comfortable around 72 degrees.
Check the batteries in your thermostat. If you haven’t had annual furnace maintenance completed on your HVAC system in the last two to three years, there is a good chance the batteries need replacement.

Annual Furnace Maintenance Cost Factors in Des Moines

Several factors can impact the price of annual furnace maintenance in Des Moines, and understanding them helps homeowners know what they’re paying for:

Service inclusions: Plans that include full system cleaning, safety inspections, filter replacement, and component testing will typically cost more than a basic checkup, but they also provide greater long-term protection.
Priority service benefits: Many plans offer extras like priority scheduling during peak season or guaranteed response times in emergencies, which can increase value.
Technician expertise: Maintenance performed by certified, highly trained HVAC technicians may cost slightly more, but ensures accuracy, safety, and better performance.
Added perks: Some programs include waived diagnostic fees, discounts on repairs, or bundled AC maintenance, which can influence overall pricing.
System age and condition: Older furnaces may require more detailed inspections and adjustments compared to newer systems, which can also affect cost.

At Bell Brothers, our primary objective is to help provide homeowners with the peace of mind that their HVAC systems are running at optimal safety and efficiency. We work closely with homeowners to understand their needs and challenges and help them choose an annual furnace maintenance plan in Des Moines that works best for them. Ask about our furnace installation services today.

Schedule Your Service Today with Bell Brothers in Des Moines

If you want to avoid unexpected breakdowns and keep your heating system working at peak performance, scheduling annual furnace maintenance in Des Moines is the solution. Bell Brothers has been serving central Iowa homeowners since 1955 with expert HVAC care, trusted technicians, and customer-first service.

Contact us online today to schedule annual furnace maintenance in Des Moines and keep your home warm, safe, and efficient all winter long.

Whether it’s your daily, monthly or annual budget, every dollar counts when operating a business. The larger your retail or office space — the greater the potential to either waste or save money on energy costs. Although it’s an upfront investment for your business, professional commercial HVAC preventative maintenance will save you money in the long run.

What preventative maintenance is and why it’s important

Preventative maintenance is maintenance that is regularly performed on a piece of equipment to detect early signs of deteriorating equipment and to predict potential system failures.

Preventative maintenance is one of the most important parts of managing a building or facility. Along with lighting, HVAC systems are some of the biggest energy users and are responsible for about 60% of energy use in commercial buildings. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your building’s HVAC system will improve energy efficiency, reduce overall operating costs and ensure occupant comfort.

Additional benefits of a preventative maintenance program include:

Extended equipment life from proper maintenance and documentation
Reduced emergency situations due to planned services and evaluations
Improved safety and healthier environmental conditions for occupants

Preventative maintenance checklist

Every building and its environment have unique needs, which is why a customized preventative maintenance plan is ideal. A full-service HVAC contractor will conduct a comprehensive survey of the mechanical and environmental systems to create a customized plan.

A customized preventative maintenance checklist should include:

Full cleaning of HVAC system
Inspection of safety switches and devices
Check of heat exchangers for cracks or damage
Filter replacement
Calibration of temperature controls and economizer controls
Adjustment of fans and belts
Inspections of all electrical components

Cost of preventative maintenance

The average cost of a commercial HVAC maintenance contract is between $10 and $15 per square foot. The main factors that impact the cost are the building size, the building environment and the size of equipment in the facility. For example, a data center typically requires a more extensive HVAC system and maintenance program to properly maintain the critical environment than a small to mid-size retail building does.

At Bell Brothers, our primary objective is to help eliminate problems related to building operations. We work closely with our clients to understand their needs and challenges and help them create a customized maintenance plan.

To learn more about our commercial HVAC maintenance contracts or to receive a free estimate, call 515-244-8911 or contact us online.

How often do we hear complaints about the humid weather here in Iowa? Humidity levels in Des Moines during the summer months can range anywhere from 52-82%.

The human body and your house are in a constant battle over what the humidity level should be. People are usually the most comfortable when humidity levels are around 50%. Additionally, your house can’t handle much more than a 60% humidity level. At this level you can start to encounter problems with mold growth in your home.

Not sure if the humidity levels in your home are too high? Here are a few signs to look for:

You have your thermostat set to around 70 degrees, but the air still feels thick and moist.
Your AC cycles on and off often.
There is condensation on the walls or floors in your basement.

How to Dehumidify Your House in the Summer

Think about your air conditioner as a giant dehumidifier. The best way to dehumidify your house is to make sure your air conditioner is maintained, properly sized and running constantly throughout the day. If you’re replacing your air conditioner, we always recommend a variable capacity unit. These models have a dehumidification mode, which means the unit will automatically measure the humidity in your house and turn on the AC at a lower capacity to dehumidify.

Another way to keep humidity levels in your home low in the summer is to keep the windows closed. People love to run their AC during the day when it’s hot outside and open the windows at night when it’s cooler. Unfortunately, this is not great for humidity control. Your air conditioning system spends the whole day adjusting to and maintaining an ideal humidity level, and by opening the windows the humidity level is immediately upset leaving you back at square one.

There is a misconception that the windows-open technique will help reduce energy costs. In reality, it will likely cost more money because the AC has to work doubly hard to dehumidify the house a second time. The best thing to do is to set the thermostat and leave the windows closed.

Adding a Dehumidifier to Your Home

If after following our advice to keep the windows closed and your AC well maintained and running continuously, there are still high humidity levels in your home, it’s probably time to call in some backup in the form of a dehumidifier. Sometimes, dehumidifiers are necessary to get the humidity level in a home down to where it needs to be in order to avoid conditions that promote mold. If you decide to purchase a dehumidifier for your home, look for an Energy-Star rated model and put it in your basement next to the floor drain.

For more information about variable capacity air conditioning units and other home comfort options, contact Bell Brothers online or at 515-244-8911.

Updated: August 31, 2025

In the summer, it’s common to experience extended periods of hot and humid weather. And this is not the time of year any of us want to come home to find our air conditioner not working properly.

When this happens, sometimes the solution is as simple as changing the furnace filter. There are a few reasons your AC may not be working, which is why we put together this guide for troubleshooting common air conditioner issues.

“My air conditioner is running but not cooling.”

It might sound obvious, but the first sign that your air conditioner is not working properly is that your house is going to be hot.

What you should do:

The first thing we recommend doing is changing the filter in your furnace. A clogged filter can significantly impact how your central air operates. It’s also important to check your furnace and air conditioner for visible signs of blockage or damage. Take a few minutes to step outside and check if your air conditioner is free of obstructions such as leaves, branches, grass clippings, plants, or protective covers. If something doesn’t look right, it’s probably best to call and schedule a service appointment.

To avoid these problems down the road, consider signing up for one of our annual maintenance programs to stay ahead of common AC issues like this.

“My air conditioner was working, and my house was comfortable — that is until it was 97 degrees outside.”

Your air conditioning system might only be functioning at marginal capacity. That means it isn’t able to keep up on extremely hot days. If you haven’t had air conditioner annual maintenance performed, the condenser unit could be dirty, and the coil could be clogged. This can cause your AC to work harder even though the house still feels too warm.

What you should do:

Same as above. Change your filter. Check the indoor and outdoor units for signs of blockage. Don’t hesitate to contact us; we’d be happy to come take a look.

“My HVAC system seems to be freezing up — should there be ice on the AC coils?”

The AC coil should never have ice on it. This could mean a few things, including a plugged filter or that the unit is low on refrigerant charge.

What you should do:

Turn your air conditioner off immediately and contact us to come service it. There’s not much you can do on your own for this problem, but it’s very important that you turn the air conditioner off so the ice will melt naturally. We also recommend you don’t try and chip away at the ice before a service tech arrives.

“There’s a pretty big puddle underneath my furnace. Is a leaking furnace dangerous?”

Yes, a leaking furnace is a bad sign. That could mean condensate water is running down through your furnace which could cause the AC blower motor and the circuit boards to burn out. This puts all the electrical components of your furnace and, in turn, the air conditioner, at risk.

What you should do:

This is another situation where you should call a certified HVAC technician right away to schedule a maintenance appointment.

When to Call an HVAC Expert If Your Air Conditioner is Not Working

In many situations where a homeowner is troubleshooting common air conditioner issues, we recommend calling a trusted HVAC technician to come take a look. Air conditioners and furnaces are not a small investment, and we want homeowners to receive the best advice and service in order to protect their HVAC system.

Here are a few examples of maintenance that should be left to a trained professional:

If any maintenance needs to take place inside the air conditioner or furnace unit ― meaning you’d have to take something apart ― that’s better left to the professionals.
Don’t use a hose to wash off your AC unit. The pressure can flatten the fins on the air conditioner and actually push dirt further into the coil. When we say an AC needs to be kept clean, we mean clean from the inside out. Professionals have the tools and the knowledge necessary to safely clean AC units and coils.
If your air conditioner doesn’t seem to be keeping up with the hot weather like it normally does, don’t keep turning the temperature lower and lower. That’s just going to make the AC work harder than necessary without making your home any cooler. Plus, that means you’re not addressing the root of the problem (likely one of the scenarios above), and your AC system is not getting the repair it needs.

Learn more: 5 Signs It’s Time For Air Conditioning Replacement

Did you know the proper landscaping around your air conditioner unit can help keep your home cool in the summer? You may also be surprised to learn it doesn’t take much work or investment to see a noticeable difference in your energy bills. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates well-planned landscaping can save up to 25% of the energy a typical household uses.

Here are a few tips on how to landscape around your AC unit this summer.

1. Provide Shade For AC Outdoor Unit

The outdoor unit for the central air conditioning system or a window unit is just like a car in the summer. Left in the sun, it will heat up. That means the system has to work harder. You can provide shade for the unit by planting a tree several feet away. Make sure you know which direction the tree’s shadow will fall and ensure the branches will not hang closer than five feet above the unit.

2. Don’t Add Fence Near AC Unit

Air conditioning units aren’t known for their beauty, and this may cause some homeowners to put a fence around the outdoor unit. Unfortunately, this negatively affects the unit’s performance because it needs airflow to work properly. A standard rule is providing three feet around the unit and five feet above the unit for necessary airflow.

3. Keep Debris Away From Outdoor Unit

Plants too close to the outdoor unit can allow debris and leaves to easily blow into the unit, which can clog up the coil causing performance issues. By selecting plants that won’t shed leaves, small branches or seeds — like cottonwood — the air conditioning unit will stay cleaner.

4. Shade Your House

Planting trees on the south and west sides of your home will provide shade for your roof. Keeping your roof cooler means keeping your home cooler, which reduces your air conditioning needs. Plant a 6- to 8-foot deciduous tree near your house, but make sure the branches will not hang over the roof. The tree will start shading your windows in the first year.

5. Grass is Better Than Hardscapes

Many homes boast impressive hardscapes — outdoor living areas made of concrete, brick or stone. But those materials heat up the air that then goes into your air conditioning unit — making it work harder to cool the air. On the other hand, grass keeps air temperatures cooler — making it easier for the air conditioner to cool the air even more.

Implementing these tips can help save you 20 to 30% on energy costs in the summer.

Spring has arrived! As the days start to get longer and the temperatures warm up, many of us will begin our spring-cleaning routine. One item we want to make sure is on your list is HVAC cleaning. Adding this to your list will help create a comfortable indoor environment this spring and summer.

To help you get started, we are sharing our tips on how to clean your HVAC system this spring.

HVAC cleaning tips

First and foremost, change your furnace filter. A dirty filter will restrict air flow into the HVAC system and decrease its efficiency. This video shares the different types of filters and how often each one needs changed.
Trim any vegetation near your air conditioner unit. As the temperature begins to rise, plants and bushes can restrict air flow around the air conditioner unit making it work harder to keep your house comfortable.
Take a look at the condenser coils inside your air conditioner. If the coils are dirty, or dirt is built-up between the coils, you should rinse them with water from a garden hose.
Consider adding an Air Knight air purifier to your system. This product is designed to produce cleaner air by reducing mold, bacteria and viruses. It also alleviates odors, air pollutants and smoke.
When it comes to HVAC cleaning, you don’t want to forget your ductwork. If you completed any renovations over the winter, your ducts might be filled with dust or debris. Or if it has been five to 10 years since your last duct cleaning, spring is a good time to have them cleaned.

Once your HVAC cleaning list is complete, turn on your AC system to make sure everything is working properly. If something seems off, one of our service technicians can come and take a look before the summer heat and humidity arrives.

Regular preventative maintenance on your home heating and cooling system is the best way to guarantee peak performance — and protect against potentially expensive issues down the road. You can schedule a complete inspection and HVAC cleaning by one of our trained service technicians by giving us a call at 515-244-8911 or by visiting our website.

Learn more: Five tips for protecting your HVAC system during a home renovation

HVAC preventative maintenance in Des Moines is one of the simplest ways to keep your heating and cooling system running smoothly all year. You routinely change the oil and rotate the tires on your car to keep it operating at its best, your HVAC system deserves the same level of care. Preventive maintenance is critical to the life and performance of your furnace and air conditioner. In most homes, it’s as simple as regularly changing your air filter and signing up for an annual maintenance contract.

HVAC Tune-Up: Why It Matters for Des Moines Homes

1. Longer Life Expectancy

Maintenance is an important step in extending the life of your heating and cooling system. A furnace or air conditioner can last up to 20 years — but not if it’s poorly maintained. Investing in HVAC preventative maintenance can save you time and money, especially with Iowa’s extreme temperature swings.

2. Home Safety and Comfort

During your biannual service appointment, the HVAC technician will clean your system and inspect its internal components. For example, the Bell Brothers preventive maintenance program includes checking the furnace and air conditioner, replacing filters and carbon monoxide testing. Technicians take the time to explain what they find and work to resolve issues on the spot, helping keep your Des Moines home safe and comfortable.

3. Better Air Quality

All the air in your home passes through the furnace filter. Simply changing the filter removes trapped dirt, pollen and allergens from your home. Disposable 1-inch filters should be changed monthly, while high-efficiency filters need to be changed every six months to one year.

4. Lower energy costs

An inspection from a professional service technician ensures your HVAC system is working at peak efficiency. If not properly cleaned every year, your system could be losing up to 40 percent of its energy efficiency! Properly maintaining your system is the best thing you can do to keep your energy bills down.

5. Reliable operation

When the Iowa humidity kicks in, you rely on your air conditioner to keep your home comfortable. The air conditioner includes an inside and outside air unit. It’s important to clear debris from the cooling coils on the outside unit to keep the system running properly. A plugged coil is the primary reason air conditioners fail in the hot, summer months. A service technician will clean the system’s cooling coils during your bi-annual maintenance appointment.

While the AC takes center stage, your furnace sits idle for about six months. This allows dirt and dust to accumulate in the system components, which prevents your furnace from running its best. If you turn the system on in the fall without properly cleaning the fans, that dirt and dust will blow right back into your home. Internal system maintenance is best left to a professional service technician; it’s a messy job and can damage your system if it’s not done properly.

Loyalty Rewards for Preventative Maintenance

Bell Brothers recently launched a Loyalty Rewards Program that makes annual maintenance even more valuable. The more consecutive HVAC maintenance agreements you sign, the more credit you earn toward a future system purchase.

Schedule HVAC Preventative Maintenance in Des Moines

Bell Brothers wants to help keep your HVAC system running efficiently and reliably all year long. Contact us online to schedule your next HVAC preventative maintenance appointment.

Learn more: How HVAC Refrigerant Works in Your AC System

HVAC Tips for Winter to Keep Your System Running Smoothly

Winter weather can be harmful to your home’s heating and air conditioning system. One of the most important HVAC tips for winter is to treat your system like you would your car in icy conditions, with extra care and attention. Just as you take safety precautions when driving on slick roads, you should also take steps to protect your HVAC system from freezing temperatures, snow, and ice buildup. Following these tips can help extend the life of your system and keep your home comfortable during the coldest months.

Clear Snow and Ice from Outside Pipes

While you’re out clearing snow off the driveway, make sure to check the furnace intake and exhaust pipes. These pipes are usually a foot or two above the ground, so if there’s more than a few inches of snow, it’s important to check them. Removing snow and ice will help prevent thawing and refreezing in the pipes, which can cause your furnace to quit working — one of the most common issues that winter HVAC tips aim to prevent.

If your furnace suddenly stops working during the colder months, it could be due to blocked intake and exhaust pipes. As part of your HVAC tips for winter checklist, try turning off the power to the furnace, clearing the pipes, and then turning the power back on. If there’s still an issue, a Bell Brothers service technician can come to your home to investigate and resolve the problem.

Remove Snow and Ice from the Gas Meter

It’s also important to keep the gas meter clear of snow and ice. It not only records how much gas is used, but it also regulates the pressure of the gas entering your home. If the vents on the meter become plugged by snow or ice, it can cause erratic pressure, which is why HVAC winter tips often stress this step. This can cause the furnace or water heater to not work properly.

Troubleshooting Tip: If the furnace or water heater pilot light won’t stay on, it could be a sign the gas pressure is not stable. Check the meter to ensure it isn’t covered with snow and ice. If it is, carefully clear it off. If the equipment is still not working properly, schedule a Bell Brothers service technician to take a look.

Don’t Cover Your Outdoor Air Conditioning Unit

You may have read or heard that homeowners should cover the outdoor air conditioning unit to protect it from snow. However, according to expert HVAC tips for winter, this is actually incorrect. Covering the unit can allow moisture to build up, causing damage to the unit. It also provides a nice warm place for mice or other rodents to build a nest and pass the time by chewing away at the wires in the air conditioner.

Instead, keep the area around the unit clear and let it breathe naturally through the winter months. This small step, along with other HVAC winter maintenance tips, can help you avoid costly repairs come springtime.

Learn more: Improve HVAC Energy Efficiency This Winter

Protect Your HVAC System All Season Long

Let Bell Brothers help you protect your HVAC system this winter. Whether it’s following HVAC tips for winter like clearing snow from vents or avoiding unnecessary covering of your AC unit, small actions can make a big difference in system efficiency and reliability. Give us a call or contact us online for professional guidance and service.

If you’re asking yourself, “Why is my furnace not working?” — you’re not alone. It’s a common problem during Iowa’s cold season, and we know how stressful it is when your heat stops working. Before you call in a technician, there are a few quick checks you can make to possibly fix the issue yourself.

Whether you're waking up to a chilly house and the heat just isn’t kicking in, here are five things to look at when your furnace is not working.

1. Check the Thermostat Batteries

If your furnace isn’t working, your thermostat may be the culprit. When the batteries are dead or weak, your thermostat might not signal the furnace to turn on at all.

Tip: If you haven’t replaced the batteries in over a year, start there. Swapping them out is a quick fix that could get your heat running again.

2. Double-Check Your Thermostat Settings

Sometimes the issue is just a setting error. Ask yourself: “Did someone adjust the temperature or mode?”

Make sure your thermostat is:

Set to “Heat”
Programmed at a temperature higher than the current room temp (try 72°F to test)
Not in a delay or hold mode

Still wondering “why is my furnace not working?” This step alone resolves the issue in many homes.

3. Make Sure Your Furnace Switch Is Turned On

Every furnace has a dedicated power switch that can sometimes be flipped off by mistake. This switch often looks like a light switch and is located on or near the side of your furnace.

If your furnace is not working at all, flip the switch off and back on to reset it. You’d be surprised how often this solves the issue.

4. Check Your Furnace Circuit Breaker

Head to your electrical panel and find the breaker labeled “furnace.” If it’s tripped (in the middle position), switch it to OFF, then back to ON.

This step is especially important if your furnace won’t turn on after a power outage or power surge.

5. Inspect and Replace the Furnace Filter

A dirty or clogged air filter is one of the most common reasons a furnace stops working. Reduced airflow can cause your system to overheat and shut down.

To avoid this:

Check your filter monthly during the heating season
Replace it if it looks dirty or clogged
Make sure it’s properly installed facing the right direction

Regular filter changes can prevent future breakdowns and keep your HVAC system running efficiently.

Still Wondering Why Your Furnace Isn’t Working?

If you’ve checked all of the above and your furnace is still not working, it may be time to call in the pros. It could be a faulty ignitor, gas valve, or control board, all of which require a trained technician.

Bell Brothers is available 24/7 to help Des Moines homeowners with no-heat emergencies. Whether you’re dealing with inconsistent airflow, a furnace that won’t start, or strange sounds coming from your unit, we’re here to get your home warm again, fast.