An AC tune-up is mostly about three things: clean coils, a healthy capacitor, and a clear drain. A condenser coil packed with cottonwood fluff (common near the river in West Halden) can raise your cooling cost 15% and push the compressor to its limit.
We wash the outdoor coil, test the capacitor against its rating, check the contactor, measure refrigerant pressures and temperatures, flush the condensate drain, and check the temperature drop across the indoor coil.
If the capacitor is weak, we'll show you the reading. Replacing it during a tune-up costs much less than an emergency call in July.
Signs you need this
- The AC hasn't been serviced in over a year
- The outdoor coil looks matted with lint or cottonwood
- Cooling bills went up last summer
- You want to keep the manufacturer warranty valid
How it works
Book in spring
April and May have the most openings. Comfort Plan members are scheduled first.
Clean and test
Coil wash, capacitor and contactor test, refrigerant check, drain flush.
Written report
Measurements, photos, and prices for anything worn. Nothing replaced without your OK.
Common questions
Can I wash the outdoor coil myself?
Yes, with a garden hose (not a pressure washer), spraying from the inside out with the power off. A yearly professional check still catches electrical problems you can't see.
Do you add refrigerant during a tune-up?
Only if it's low, and if it's low there's a leak. We'd rather find the leak than keep topping it off.
Should I cover my AC in winter?
Only the top, to keep ice and falling debris off. A full cover traps moisture and invites mice.