Here’s What Should Be on Your HVAC Tune-Up Checklist

When warmer weather approaches, you’ll want to click that thermostat with confidence and start cooling your home right away. The same applies when the chilly weather sets in and you need heat.

The best thing to do in preparation for those temperature swings is to schedule a tune-up on your HVAC unit. Although it may seem unnecessary if your unit appears to be running smoothly, you’ll be happy you did it when you have an efficient system to keep you cool all summer long and warm throughout the winter months.

The Fundamental Parts of Your HVAC System

To understand how to follow an HVAC tune-up checklist, you’ll first have to understand what an HVAC unit is. An HVAC system is either a single unit or several units that control your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Most of these systems have the following components to achieve an optimal climate for your home.

Return Air Vents

The air return is the beginning of the ventilation process. A fan or blower (the return air vent) inside the HVAC system pulls air in, filters it, and pushes it through the rest of the system to complete the first stage of the process.

Air Filters

A filter is just what it sounds like. These air filtration devices are crucial to your HVAC system. Their job is to eliminate dust, pollen, pet dander, and other small particles from your breathing air. You should change them at regular intervals to keep your system running efficiently.

Ducts

Ducts are the channels for carrying heated or cooled air throughout the house. It’s recommended homeowners clean their ducts every two to five years for maximum efficiency and clean air.

Condenser Unit

The condenser unit is the outdoor piece of your air conditioner or heat pump that either releases or gathers heat using a coil, a compressor, and a fan. Of course, whether it heats or cools air depends on the season and your desired indoor climate.

When you schedule a service, you should use a tune-up checklist that covers all of the above components of the HVAC system.

What Happens During an HVAC Tune-Up?

An HVAC technician will check out quite a few things during your scheduled tune-up.

Here is what a typical evaluation checklist might look like:

  • Test the thermostat to ensure settings are correct and functioning
  • Tighten any loose electrical connections
  • Freshen the lubrication on any parts that need it
  • Clean the coils in the condenser unit to prevent dust and frost buildup
  • Flush condensation lines that run outside the house
  • Replace any air filter(s)
  • Check refrigerant levels and top off if need be
  • Adjust the blower motor and check belts for any wear and tear

You’ll want to make sure your service technician checks off all these items during the HVAC tune-up. If you have any unusual parts on your HVAC unit, it is vital to add those parts to the checklist, as well.

The one part of the HVAC unit you most likely won’t see on a technician’s tune-up evaluation checklist is the ductwork. Because many ducts are in the walls, ceilings, and floors, technicians can’t access them for inspection.

Is It Worth Having Your HVAC Unit Serviced Regularly?

Just like a car needs regular servicing, an HVAC system needs attention, as well. There are several ways an HVAC unit can fail as a result of insufficient maintenance. For instance, water will back up into the drip pan under the air handler if you do not flush your condensation lines. Once it overflows, the water can cause severe ceiling damage before you even notice that it is malfunctioning.

Taking the time to maintain your unit can save you thousands in repairs later. Regular HVAC tune-ups are said to extend the life expectancy of a system by up to 5 years. That allows homeowners to save for a good unit when replacing their current system.

What Is the Average Cost of an HVAC Tune-Up?

Now that you know how vital the service is, you may be wondering what kind of damage it’ll do to the bank account. Well, the good news is that most companies offer a maintenance package that makes regular tune-ups manageable. These service plans vary between companies but will most likely provide a year’s worth of services to maintain your system. In some cases, the package may even include a warranty on the work if anything fails between services.

On average, an HVAC tune-up costs anywhere from $100 on the low end to $200 on the higher end. The prices depend heavily on the size, age, and type of unit(s) you have in your home.

For a more accurate price, skip the “HVAC tune-up near me” Google search. Reach out to Premier HVAC Services, LLC, for a quote. Our professionals are standing by, ready to help with all your HVAC tune-up questions and concerns.