What to Expect During a Professional AC Maintenance Appointment: Key Steps and Benefits

A professional tune-up can boost your AC system's performance and save money, and this guide will help you understand what happens during an AC maintenance visit...

A professional tune-up can boost your AC system's performance and save money, and this guide will help you understand what happens during an AC maintenance visit.

During a professional AC maintenance appointment, a technician will do a full inspection and cleaning of your system which takes about 60-90 minutes. They'll check the motor, electrical parts, and refrigerant levels, in addition to cleaning important components.

These check-ups are important as a well-maintained AC uses less energy. Your system is also less likely to break down and will benefit from an extended lifespan. 

Understanding AC Maintenance

AC maintenance reduces energy bills by keeping the system efficient and regular check-ups catch small issues before they require a costly fix. Maintenance also improves air quality in your home and helps your system run more quietly too.

We recommend yearly maintenance for most AC units, and spring is an ideal time, before the hot summer months. This ensures your system is ready when you need it most.

What an AC Technician Does

During a maintenance visit, technicians perform several key tasks. They’ll start by inspecting the entire system, including checking refrigerant levels and looking for leaks. Technicians will also clean or replace air filters, and clean the evaporator and condenser coils. 

The thermostat will be tested to ensure it's working correctly and all electrical connections will be assessed and tightened if needed. Lubricating moving parts is another important step to reduce wear and tear on the system. The condensate drain will also be inspected for blockages.

Finally, they'll run the system to confirm everything works properly, and if they find any issues, they'll let you know what needs fixing.

Preparation and Inspection

A professional AC maintenance visit starts with careful preparation and a thorough inspection. The technician checks key components to ensure your system runs smoothly and efficiently.

Cleaning and Replacing Air Filters

A clean air filter is crucial for good airflow and indoor air quality and during an inspection, it will be removed and checked for dirt and debris. If it's clogged, the technician will replace it with a new one. Some filters can be cleaned and reused and a technician can show you the best way to do this. For disposable filters, it’s recommended to change them every 1-3 months.

Inspecting Electrical Connections

Electrical connections will be assessed looking for loose wires that can cause your AC to work poorly or even fail. Any loose connections will be tightened and wires with significant wear or damage will be replaced. Technicians use special tools to test the voltage and current, helping to spot any electrical issues before they become bigger problems, such as replacing faulty parts. 

Checking Refrigerant Levels

Proper refrigerant levels are key to your AC's cooling power and too little refrigerant can make your AC work harder and cool less. If the levels are low, the technician will look for leaks. Small leaks can often be fixed on the spot. However, for bigger issues, another appointment may need to be arranged. 

Maintenance Procedures

AC maintenance involves several key steps to keep your system running smoothly. These procedures focus on cleaning, clearing, and checking important components.

Servicing Coils and Fans

Condenser and evaporator coils are cleaned to remove dirt and debris, helping your AC work better and use less energy. Special cleaning solutions and tools remove any buildup without damaging the coils.

Fan blades and the motor will also receive attention to stop them from becoming off-balanced or making noise. Clean fans move air more easily, which helps cool your home faster. 

For the furnace, the blower assembly will be inspected and cleaned. This part moves air through your whole HVAC system and keeping it clean helps the system work at peak performance. 

Clearing Drain Lines

Clogged drain lines can cause water damage and mold growth and need to be flushed out to remove any blockages. Sometimes the technician will use compressed air or special cleaning tools to clear stubborn clogs.

The drain pan will be checked for cracks or leaks, and if needed, it’ll be fixed or replaced to prevent water damage. Adding algae tablets to the drain pan can help stop future clogs and is a sensible solution if you experience persistent clogs.

Assessing Overall System Performance

System checks include measuring airflow and checking refrigerant levels, as well as looking at your thermostat to ensure it's reading temperatures correctly. If it's old, or not working well, the technician might suggest upgrading it. 

Post-Maintenance

After the technician finishes the AC maintenance, a few important steps remain. We'll go over the final system check and share advice for keeping your air conditioner running efficiently.

Final System Check

The technician will run your AC for a test cycle, listening for unusual noises and checking that cool air flows properly. Airflow and temperatures will also be measured to ensure everything works correctly. If there are any issues, remediation might involve adjusting settings or replacing small parts. 

Advice on Efficient Operation

Before leaving, a technician will usually offer several suggestions to keep your system running well, such as changing air filters regularly and the correct settings for your thermostat. Using a programmable thermostat can cut energy use even more and make it easy to set the ideal temperature settings for comfort and efficiency.

Keeping vents clear of furniture and drapes helps airflow for more effective cooling, while regular ductwork cleaning improves air quality and efficiency. A technician can check if your ducts need cleaning and schedule this service if required. 

Get in touch to arrange an inspection of your home’s AC system.