An AC unit can feel like a lifesaver on those hot, sunny days, keeping your whole home cool and fresh, ensuring the comfort of your life by controlling the temperatures. However, even the best systems need maintenance and an AC tune up from time to time conducted by a professional HVAC technician who ensures consistent airflow and heating control.
A technician possesses all the necessary information about every component of your AC unit. This guide will explore what an air conditioning tune up involves and how often you should get your AC checked out and tuned up, even suggest setting up an appointment for the same.
What Is an Air Conditioner Tune-Up?
An air conditioning tune-up, which may also be known by other names, like AC tune-up, AC check-up, or air conditioner check-up, is simply an all-over service for your AC unit. It involves checking the key components, like the condenser coil, evaporator coil, and drainage system, cleaning the filter, and so on. The technician will also explore other connections within the system, ensure the unit is free of dust, apart from heating monitoring.
An AC check-up is a crucial part of AC maintenance. It helps to keep all the key components and systems functioning correctly, ensures that everything is working as it should, and keeps the system clean. By getting an air conditioning tune-up on a regular basis, you can help to prevent costly problems and AC repair. As such, having the accurate information about your system’s state is essential.
What Does AC Tune-Up Include?
A typical air conditioning check-up should always include the following:
- Cleaning of the condenser coils to increase the efficiency of the system.
- Inspection of the coolant levels to ensure that the AC functions at top capacity.
- Lubrication of moving parts to reduce the risks of wear and tear.
- Calibrating the thermostat.
- Checking ducts and vents for any damages.
- Inspecting all electrical components for safety purposes.
- Verifying the motor and blower belt.
In addition, an AC tune-up checklist can include more checks and services, like cleaning the filters, replacing the filter if needed, checking the bearings, inspecting the fan, and so on. Any anomalies with airflow and heating would be noted and brought to your attention.
The Benefits Of Air Conditioning Tune-Ups
- It will lower your utility costs
One of the main benefits of getting your air conditioner checked is that it can lower your monthly energy bill. A qualified cooling specialist will give your air conditioner a thorough inspection and determine the efficiency of your air conditioner. Scheduling an appointment with them ensures that you won’t miss any required tune-ups.
Regular professional maintenance can avoid this. If the HVAC system is not working as efficiently as it should, the chances are you need to call The Cooling Company. Our trained technician will determine the problem and fix it, which will help with the energy efficiency of the unit.
- It will prevent breakdowns
Nothing is worse than your air conditioner breaking down on the hottest day of the year. However, if you spend the extra time and money to get your air conditioner checked in the beginning, you can prevent this expensive and stressful problem from occurring. Correct airflow and optimal heating functionality are insured to enhance your comfort.
- It can make your air conditioner last longer
Another benefit of getting an air conditioner tune-up is that it will help the unit last much longer. Our cooling tech will thoroughly examine your air conditioning system and address any challenges. The Cooling Company will also perform general maintenance checks and changes to ensure connections are in sync, there is no dust accumulation as well.
- It can keep you and your AC unit healthy
A dirty air conditioner is a good place for mold and mildew to grow. Our technicians can check for mold by spraying the surface area of your AC with water and letting it dry. If there are dark spots or discoloration, the surfaces of the AC unit may be contaminated with mold. It is recommended to clean the moldy surfaces or replace them altogether.
An AC that isn’t working correctly causes problems during the summer months because it doesn’t cool your house down fast enough. Maintaining a clean AC system is not just about keeping it running, but also about the health implications of ensuring dust, mold, and mildew stay out of your living space.
Signs It’s Time For An Air Conditioner Tune-Up
There’s a lot of good advice out there on the internet about keeping your air conditioner running smoothly, but the truth is that you don’t have to be an HVAC expert to know when something with your AC isn’t going as it should. However, having the correct information about the unit’s operations, regular appointments with an HVAC technician, and mindful of connections within the system are all crucial to increasing the lifespan of your AC and keeping your home at comfortable temperatures.
So, whether you’re just noticing it’s louder than usual, think you smell something weird, like the subtle scent of dirt or debris, or maybe it’s not keeping up as well as it used to, there are plenty of things that can tell you when it’s time for an air conditioner tune-up. You may even question if your air filter is in good condition.
While some people might believe they need to wait until their system stops working before calling for repair, in real business, if you’re having any issues, you should get them taken care of right away. Not only is ignoring problems with your air conditioner terrible for its health and longevity, but also deferring necessary tasks such as changing the air filter or cleaning the accumulated debris can quickly lead to higher energy bills and even more significant expenses in the long run. Putting off repairs can also void your warranty.
Here are a few common signs that indicate your system might need a tune-up. These signs might help answer any questions you may have about the issue and whether your AC needs attention:
- You hear strange noises coming from your AC. Squeaks and squeals aren’t normal sounds for an AC system to make. It could mean there are worn parts or loose screws that need attention.
- It’s blowing warm air or not blowing much at all.
- It’s too old or hasn’t been serviced in years.
- You don’t know when it was last serviced.
- Its compressor or fan isn’t working properly.
- Its coils are leaking refrigerant.
- It has a buildup of ice or condensation on its inside unit.
- You have high monthly electric bills.
- Your air conditioner cycles on and off frequently.
- The thermostat doesn’t seem accurate.
- It smells funny.
- The unit isn’t cooling the room evenly.
- Your air conditioner isn’t cooling as well as it used to.
HVAC system manuals suggest homeowners have a tune at least once per year. This is anything but a trivial recommendation. An air conditioner tune should ideally be done before the summer starts. Summer is when AC units, with the air filters frequently dealing with dirt and debris, are used most extensively. Online reviews confirm this is the best time, helping you to know everything is working well and won’t have any unexpected breakdowns in the middle of a heatwave!
Repairs can be costly and are most definitely inconvenient, no matter when they happen. However, having your air conditioner serviced once a year at your convenience is a lot easier than being caught off guard. A tune-up is like a mini-physical for your air conditioner. It’s easy to neglect until it’s too late, and you’re experiencing a total breakdown. It can help you stay in touch with the status – and condition – of your AC system and make sure it’s operating at its best.
When you have your air conditioner tuned up regularly, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that everything is in order. If any minor issues, such as a clogged air filter, need attention, you’ll be able to catch them before they become big problems.
During an AC tune-up, the technician will check all system components, including the condenser and evaporator coils, air filter, and blower motor. If any corrosion is present, they can clean the debris and dirt so that they’re not causing any trouble.
If the coils or motor aren’t damaged, the technician will be able to let you know how long they have left until they need to be replaced. In addition to checking for damage, the technician will make sure everything is properly lubricated. These are all incredibly important reasons to schedule this service once or twice a year.
What Tests Are Performed by HVAC Professionals During an AC Unit Tune-Up?
During an AC unit tune-up, HVAC professionals typically perform several tasks and tests to ensure the optimal functioning of the system. These tasks may include:
- They will calibrate your thermostat to verify it is reading the correct temperature.
- They will inspect your air conditioner’s coolant levels and pressure.
- They will look for loose wiring, contacts, capacitors, or relays and secure them.
- They will give your system a thorough cleaning, checking for leaks, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
- They will confirm the indoor air quality.
- They will clean the condenser coil and condenser. They will also check to be sure they are free of any damage.
- They will check the fan motor and blades and lubrication.
- They will inspect the outdoor disconnect.
- Should any additional safety or efficiency inspections be needed, they will be performed at this time.
My AC Seems to Be Working Fine, Do I Still Need a Tune-Up?
If your unit is working, it might seem like there’s no reason for a tune-up. However, even if everything seems fine for now, there could be a problem under the hood, waiting to break down when you need it most.
A Tune-Up Will:
- Help prevent premature breakdowns by catching any issues before they become significant problems.
- Ensures your air conditioning unit runs at peak performance.
- Are essential for environmentally friendly units. With proper maintenance, these units will last longer and continue to save you on energy costs.
You should, of course, continue to clean and change the filters in your air conditioning unit regularly. The best time to invest in a routine air conditioner tune-up is before you need it; as you may know, air conditioners are complex machines that need service regularly. Looking through related business’ reviews can help guide your decisions.
Seasonal Considerations for Air Conditioning Check-ups
So, we’ve seen what an AC tune-up in Las Vegas will typically involve, but when do you actually need a home AC tune-up from your local HVAC company? Well, tune-ups can be useful at almost any time of year, especially in the following three periods:
People tend to use their AC units the most during the summer when the weather is warmest, owing largely to the rising heat and humidity. However, it’s wise to do a home AC tune-up just before the summer begins, in spring. This will help you prepare your system for the tough months ahead, as well as ensure that it’s all working smoothly and ready to go for the hottest days of the year. Manufacturers recommend this number one tip universally, and seasoned contractors will definitely emphasize the importance of checking refrigerant levels and other fundamentals to ensure the correct amount of cool air output.
Springtime: Preparing for The Upcoming Cooling Season
An AC tune-up in Las Vegas, where the summer months can test anyone’s tolerance for heat, will also typically be needed during this period. This is when the AC is working hardest, often running all day long to keep homes cool. Leveraging the collective experience of a highly skilled team, a variety of maintenance tasks will be performed to prolong the life and efficiency of your unit. This is also when it tends to need the most regular maintenance and care. However, with demand peaking, an AC tune-up cost can be most expensive in summer, so it’s wise to have a check-up in spring to save money.
Summertime: Ensuring Peak Performance During High Demand
Once the summer months are over, you may think there’s not much need for an HVAC tune-up. But, contrary to what some might believe, you still require air conditioner maintenance, even after the summer ends. It’s a good idea to get a quick check-up to see how your device is doing after the hard work of combating the summer heat, and make sure there aren’t any issues left to linger until the next year.
Fall/Winter: Post-season Evaluation and Maintenance
The average AC tune-up cost can range from as low as around $65 up to $200 or even more in some cases. It all depends on a wide range of factors. Here are some Factors Affecting AC Tune-Up Costs:
How Much Does an AC Tune-Up Cost?
Certain types of AC units will have a longer AC tune-up checklist, leading to higher rates from your HVAC contractor in Las Vegas. A whole house AC system, for example, will usually cost more to tune up compared to a simple portable unit which is much smaller, with fewer parts to check up on.
- Cost by Air Conditioner Type
Naturally, the level of service needed will also have an impact on the price. Say, for instance, your AC has problems, like AC blowing hot air or not turning on, it’s likely that more work will be required on the interior components to get it functioning as normal. This will necessitate the input of a team of contractors and hence will demand more time, effort, and consequently more money.
- Cost by Extent of Service
As mentioned above, costs can also vary from season to season. Typically, costs tend to be higher in the summer, as companies are busier and have more jobs per day, due to the heavy usage of AC systems at this time of the year. Therefore, if you have the foresight and desire to make savings, you might like to schedule maintenance appointments in the shoulder seasons.
- Cost by Seasonal Demand
Finally, the cost of labor will also affect the final price you have to pay. Labor prices can vary from state to state and city to city, and workers may charge per hour or per job. Some tune-ups can be complete very quickly, with minimal labor fees, but others will take more time and lead to higher prices.
- Labor Cost
The Cooling Company offers comprehensive AC Repair And AC Maintenance from condenser cleaning to tune-ups and everything in between. We take pride in our team of HVAC professionals who are experts in repair services. With the amount of hands-on experience we possess, we can help you improve the efficiency of your system, fortify your indoor air quality, and lengthen the lifespan of your AC unit while keeping a keen eye on refrigerant levels. Let us help you with the details on how to get your annual maintenance during the early summer months. Keep your air conditioner working like new all year! Contact us now to schedule your annual AC maintenance. We’re here for you!
Hiring A Professional For AC Tune-Ups
The Cooling Company offers comprehensive AC Repair And AC Maintenance from condenser cleaning to tune-ups and everything in between. Keep your air conditioner working like new all year! Contact us now to schedule your annual AC maintenance.
Our HVAC professionals are experts in repair services. We want to help you cut your energy costs, improve the efficiency of your system, fortify your indoor air quality, and lengthen the lifespan of your AC unit. Let us help you with the details on how to get your annual maintenance during the early summer months.
