HVAC Tune-up is the term used for evaluating if your HVAC system is working at its optimal potential. It also means that all the elements of your AC are in good working order. It can be defined as “measuring or adjusting something to ensure you’re getting what you should be”. The EPA recommends that any homeowner who has central air conditioning units should have them inspected at least once every season, though it could vary depending on the unit’s usage and environment where it’s installed.
What Does an HVAC Tune-Up Include?
The following items are included when having an AC tune-up: safety inspection, compressors, electrical controls, gas furnaces, power ventilators & humidifiers, thermostats, and coils. It can also include a duct inspection if you have central air conditioning installed in your house.
Safety Inspection:
If the AC is an older model with gas or oil-burning furnaces, it’s important to be safe when having it serviced. HVAC technicians will check for carbon monoxide leaks while doing their inspection, so make sure that they go through all the safety steps before starting their work. They’ll provide you with a report before leaving your home making sure your family members are safe while living in your house.
Compressors:
The condenser unit of the AC consists of 2 parts which are the compressor coil and refrigerant system. Thus, this part is checked during the safety inspection. The technician will check if there’s any refrigerant leakage, the belt tension of the compressor, and the condition of cooling fins to make sure that they aren’t dirty or clogged.
Electrical Controls:
This relates to the electrical switches which are installed in your house for controlling your AC system. They include circuit breakers, fuses & switches on thermostats/humidistats.
Gas Furnaces:
A technician will check ignition systems, fuel pressure control valves during this step of an HVAC tune-up process.
Power Ventilators & Humidifiers:
These two elements also come under the purview of safety inspections.
Thermostats:
A home’s central heating & cooling system is controlled by a thermostat. A technician will make sure that each room is producing enough heat or cold air depending on the season and replace old thermostats if needed.
Coil:
Air conditioners & furnaces have coils that are used to absorb the refrigerant gas after compression. The coil should be clean and free of rust, dirt, and debris.
Duct Inspection:
If you have central HVAC installed in your house, then an expert needs to check your ducts as well since they play a major role in the performance of your AC system. Ducts can become clogged with dust and lint over time making them inefficient so having them inspected at least twice every year is recommended.
Cost Breakdown
The cost of HVAC tune-up can vary with companies but if you do a little research online, then you will find out that the industry standard for this service is around $80 per unit. This fee includes inspection costs as well as labor fees which are usually billed separately. A safety checkup includes 4 items at most while other stuff like checking coils & circuit breakers comes under the category of electrical services that need to be paid separately. Thus, it’s important to look at each item and get them done accordingly before choosing a final price for your tune-up service. For example, inspecting an evaporator coil should take about 15 minutes while doing a filter change could take 30 minutes or depend on the size of your home.
HVAC technicians are trained to inspect AC units for any problems that could affect the performance of your AC system. They’re qualified & certified which is why it’s important to find a company that can service your air conditioner or furnace effectively. If they’ve performed an inspection on your equipment before, then you know that they’ll make sure everything is working fine before leaving your house. You will receive their report with all the comments which you can use as evidence if something goes wrong in the future. Hiring professional help has many benefits like having peace of mind knowing that they’re doing quality work and you won’t have to worry about smaller problems becoming bigger issues at home.
Conclusion:
If you need an HVAC tune-up, be sure to contact a professional like K2 Mechanical. We can help ensure your system is running efficiently and safely. In the meantime, use this checklist as a general guide to keeping your system maintained. Thanks for reading! Contact us today for a free consultation!
