What a Real AC Tune-Up Includes (and What It Doesn’t)
Not all tune-ups are created equal. Some companies advertise a $29 “tune-up” that is really just a sales visit. A real AC tune-up is a thorough, hands-on service that actually improves your system’s performance and catches problems early. Here is what a legitimate tune-up includes — and the red flags that tell you it is not.
What a Real AC Tune-Up Includes
A proper tune-up is a comprehensive inspection and maintenance service. Here is the checklist we follow on every tune-up:
Clean the condenser and evaporator coils: Dirty coils cannot transfer heat efficiently. We clean both the outdoor condenser coil and the indoor evaporator coil.
Check refrigerant levels and pressures: Using manifold gauges, we verify the refrigerant charge is correct. Low refrigerant means a leak that needs to be found and fixed.
Inspect and tighten electrical connections: Loose connections cause overheating, voltage drops, and can damage the compressor. We check contactors, capacitors, relays, and wiring.
Clear the condensate drain line: A clogged drain line causes water damage and can shut the system down. We flush it and verify proper drainage.
Calibrate the thermostat: We verify the thermostat reads accurately and cycles the system properly.
Test safety controls: High-limit switches, pressure switches, and overflow shutoffs all get tested to make sure they will protect the system.
Measure airflow and temperature split: We verify the system is moving the right amount of air and cooling it by the correct number of degrees.
Inspect the blower and ductwork: We check the blower wheel, motor, and accessible ductwork for issues.
Written condition report: You get a clear, written report of your system’s condition — what is good, what needs attention, and what can wait.
Suspiciously cheap price: A $19 or $29 “tune-up” cannot cover the labor of a real service. It is usually a foot in the door to sell you something.
No written report: If they cannot show you what they checked and what they found, they probably did not check much.
High-pressure upselling: A real tune-up gives you information. A fake one uses scare tactics to sell a new system on the spot.
In and out in 15 minutes: A thorough tune-up takes 60 to 90 minutes. If they are done in 15, they did not do the checklist.
They only look at one unit: If you have multiple systems, each one needs its own tune-up.
AC service and refrigerant recovery — Houston home
Our Tune-Up Pricing
Our AC & Heating Tune-Up Special is $120 for the first system and $80 for each additional system. That covers the full checklist above, a written condition report, and honest recommendations — no pressure, no gimmicks.
