Living in the Texas Hill Country means your air conditioning system works harder than almost anywhere else in the country. From scorching summers to unpredictable spring weather, your HVAC system is one of the hardest-working appliances in your home. The good news? A little routine maintenance goes a long way toward keeping it running efficiently — and keeping your energy bills in check.

At Cory Butts Electric & AC LLC, we've been serving Lampasas and the surrounding Hill Country for nearly 40 years. Here are the five maintenance tips we give every homeowner we work with.

1. Change Your Air Filter Regularly

This is the single most impactful thing you can do for your HVAC system — and it's the one most homeowners skip.

A clogged filter forces your system to work harder to pull air through, which drives up your energy bill and puts unnecessary strain on the motor and compressor. In Texas, where your AC runs almost year-round, we recommend checking your filter every 30 days and replacing it at least every 60–90 days.

If you have pets, allergies, or a dusty environment (common in the Hill Country), change it every 30 days without fail.

Pro tip: Keep a few spare filters on hand so you're never tempted to skip a change because you don't have one ready.

2. Keep the Outdoor Unit Clear

Your outdoor condenser unit needs room to breathe. Grass, weeds, shrubs, and debris can block airflow and cause the unit to overheat or work inefficiently.

• Keep at least 2 feet of clearance on all sides of the unit
• Trim back any vegetation regularly
• After a storm, check for leaves, twigs, or debris that may have collected around or inside the unit
• Never stack items against or on top of the unit

It's also a good idea to gently rinse the fins on the outside of the unit with a garden hose once a season to remove dust and dirt buildup. Just make sure the power is off before you do.

3. Schedule a Pre-Season Tune-Up

Before the summer heat arrives — ideally in March or April — have a licensed HVAC technician perform a full system inspection. A pre-season checkup typically includes:

• Checking refrigerant levels
• Inspecting electrical connections and components
• Cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils
• Lubricating moving parts
• Testing the thermostat and controls
• Checking the condensate drain line

Catching small issues in the spring means you won't be scrambling for emergency service in July when every HVAC company in the county is booked solid.

We offer pre-season AC full checkups for both homes and businesses. Give us a call at 512-556-6818 to get on the schedule before the rush.

4. Don't Ignore the Condensate Drain Line

Your AC system removes humidity from the air as it cools your home, and that moisture has to go somewhere. It drains through a condensate line — usually a PVC pipe that exits near your outdoor unit or into a floor drain.

Over time, algae and mold can build up inside this line and cause a clog. When that happens, water backs up into the drain pan and can overflow, causing water damage to your ceiling, walls, or flooring.

Signs of a clogged condensate drain include:

• Water pooling around your indoor air handler
• A musty smell coming from your vents
• Your AC shutting off unexpectedly (many systems have a safety float switch)

You can help prevent clogs by pouring a cup of diluted bleach or white vinegar down the drain line every few months. If you're not sure where the drain line is or how to access it, your HVAC technician can show you during your annual tune-up.

5. Program Your Thermostat Wisely

Running your AC at full blast 24/7 is hard on the system and expensive. A programmable or smart thermostat lets you set your home to a higher temperature while you're away and cool back down before you return — without wasting energy all day.

A few guidelines for Texas summers:

• While home: 74–76°F is a comfortable range that won't overwork your system
• While away: Set it no higher than 85°F — letting the house get too hot makes the system work harder to recover
• At night: Many people sleep better at 70–72°F; a programmable thermostat handles this automatically

If you have a Google Nest thermostat, we can install and configure it for you as part of our Google Pro Dealer services.

When Maintenance Isn't Enough

Even with great maintenance habits, every AC system eventually reaches the end of its useful life. If your system is more than 12–15 years old, requires frequent repairs, or struggles to keep up with the Texas heat, it may be time to consider a replacement.

As a York Certified Comfort Expert, we offer an industry-leading 10-year warranty on all parts, labor, and refrigerant when you install a new system through us. That's one of the best warranties available anywhere.

Ready to schedule a tune-up or get a free estimate on a new system? Call or text us at 512-556-6818. We serve Lampasas, Burnet, Llano, Mason, San Saba, and the surrounding Hill Country communities.