"AC tune-up" is one of the most loosely used phrases in home services. For some companies it means a technician glances at the filter, hoses off the outdoor unit and hands you a quote for a new system. Real preventative maintenance is a checklist of measurements and adjustments that takes the better part of an hour and leaves you with numbers, not a sales pitch.
Here is what a maintenance visit from us includes, and why each item matters in Tucson specifically.
Electrical connections and components
Heat is the enemy of electrical parts, and Tucson equipment spends the summer baking. We tighten every terminal, because a loose connection builds resistance, builds heat and eventually burns. We test the capacitors under load and compare the reading to the rating on the label. A capacitor reading 10 percent low in April will fail in July, and replacing it during a tune-up is far cheaper than an emergency call on the hottest day of the year. We also check the contactor for pitting and confirm the fan and compressor draw the amperage they should.
Refrigerant charge
We measure the system's refrigerant charge using the temperatures and pressures the manufacturer specifies, rather than guessing from the pressure gauges alone. A system a little low on charge will still cool, but it works harder and costs more to run. If the charge is low, that means there is a leak somewhere, and we tell you that plainly rather than simply adding refrigerant and moving on.
Coils
The indoor coil absorbs heat from your air. The outdoor coil releases it. Dust on either one is insulation in the wrong place. We clean the outdoor coil thoroughly, and we inspect the indoor coil for the buildup that a season of monsoon dust leaves behind. On systems with easy coil access we clean it; on others we will tell you what we found and what it would take.
Condensate drain
Every summer we take calls from homeowners whose system shut off for no apparent reason. Often the reason is a clogged condensate drain line and a float switch doing its job. We flush the drain line and treat it so the algae that thrives in monsoon humidity does not take hold.
Airflow and the blower
We check the filter, the blower wheel and the static pressure in the duct system. High static pressure tells us the system is straining against restricted ducts or a dirty blower, and it is one of the most common findings on Tucson homes with older ductwork. It is also one of the leading causes of compressor failure, because a system that cannot move air runs cold, freezes and short-cycles.
Thermostat and controls
We confirm the thermostat is reading accurately, that the system responds correctly to a call for cooling, and that any programmed schedule matches how you actually use the house. A thermostat that reads two degrees warm makes the system run more than it needs to for the entire season.
What you get at the end
You get a written summary of what we measured, what we adjusted, and anything we recommend keeping an eye on. If something needs a repair, we quote it at a flat rate and you decide. There is no pressure and no vague warning that "the system is getting old." If it is fine, we say so.
When to schedule
The best time for a cooling tune-up in Tucson is March through early May, before the first stretch of 100-degree days. Parts that are marginal show themselves under load, and you want to find them while there is still time to fix them on your schedule rather than ours. If you have a heat pump, a second visit in the fall covers the heating side.
If it has been more than a year since anyone looked at your system, or if you cannot remember the last time, book a maintenance visit or call (520) 261-3909. We serve Tucson and the surrounding communities, and the visit is priced up front.