Schedule a professional HVAC tune-up for $150-$200

A professional 15-20 point inspection catches problems a homeowner cannot check: refrigerant levels, electrical connections, capacitor health, and coil condition. Schedule in March-April for lower rates and better availability.

What a Pro Tune-Up Includes

• Refrigerant level check and top-off (low refrigerant = 20% efficiency loss)
• Evaporator and condenser coil cleaning (dirty coils increase energy use up to 30%)
• Electrical connection tightening and voltage measurement
• Capacitor testing (capacitor failure is the #1 cause of AC breakdowns)
• Thermostat calibration
• Blower motor inspection and lubrication
• Condensate drain flush
• Safety control verification

Cost

• Standard tune-up: $150-$200
• Tune-up with coil cleaning: $200-$350
• Annual maintenance contract (2 visits/year): $150-$300/year (often includes priority scheduling and 10-15% parts discounts)

Tips

• Book before May — peak-season pricing is 20-40% higher and wait times stretch to 2-3 weeks
• Ask if the company offers a maintenance plan — the priority scheduling alone is worth it when your AC fails on the hottest day of the year
• A well-maintained system lasts 15-20 years vs. 10-12 for a neglected one, deferring a $5,000-$12,000 replacement