What we check during an AC tune-up
Every system is a little different, so there’s no single script we follow. But the areas that cause the most problems in Central Texas homes are consistent. Coils get coated with dust and lose their ability to transfer heat. Electrical connections loosen over time and create reliability problems. Condensate drains clog, especially in humid weather, and can cause the system to shut down or overflow. Refrigerant performance drifts and the system works harder than it should just to hit your setpoint.
We go through all of it. Thermostat and cycling behavior. Coil condition and cleaning. Electrical connections and startup cycle. Refrigerant pressure and leak inspection. Condensate drainage. We also look at ductwork and attic conditions while we’re there, because sometimes the equipment is perfectly fine and the house still isn’t comfortable. Those are different problems, and they have different fixes. If we find something that points to a bigger issue, we’ll tell you exactly what it is instead of just noting it on a form.
A few things worth knowing about our technicians specifically: they hold EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerant work. That’s a federal requirement for anyone handling refrigerants, not a marketing credential. And our license numbers are posted publicly, HVAC License TACLA00053541E and Plumbing License M39722, because we think you should be able to verify who’s working in your home.
When to schedule AC Tune-Up, and how often
Spring is the right window for a cooling tune-up. Before the real heat, before the busy season, while there’s still time to address anything we find without rushing. ENERGY STAR recommends pre-season check-ups for exactly this reason.
If you want full HVAC coverage through both seasons, the simplest approach is spring for cooling and fall for heating. That cadence also gives you a look at your furnace before winter, which matters in Austin more than people expect since heating systems here sit idle long enough to develop problems that aren’t obvious until the first cold snap.
AC Tune-up specials and membership options
We post current pricing and seasonal coupons on our Specials page. Because those offers change, that’s the most accurate place to check. Mention the coupon when you call or book online and we’ll apply it.
Schedule Your AC Tune-Up or call (512) 575-4377 (24/7 live answering)
See Current HVAC Specials & Coupons
Shield Membership for year‑round HVAC maintenance
If you’d rather not think about scheduling at all, our Shield Membership is worth a look. For $14.95 a month, or $179 prepaid for the year, you get two tune-ups annually, 48-hour priority service when something does go wrong, 20% off repairs, and a waived $89 diagnostic fee. For homeowners who’ve had one too many surprise bills during a heat wave, that combination tends to pay for itself.
View Shield Membership Details
Is this an AC tune-up situation or an AC repair situation?
Maintenance makes sense when your system is running but you want it running better. Steadier temperatures, lower energy bills, fewer surprises going into summer. If your home is reaching temperature and there are no obvious symptoms, a tune-up is the right starting point.
If you’re seeing warm air when it should be cold, ice on the indoor unit, water around the base of the system, tripped breakers, or the system cycling on and off every few minutes, that’s a different conversation. Tell us what you’re noticing when you call and we’ll make sure you’re booked for the right service. Sometimes it’s both.
Serving Austin and surrounding communities
We’re based at 1106 Smith Rd, Suite 102, Austin, TX 78721 and serve the wider area including Pflugerville, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Lakeway, Buda, Kyle, Manor, and more. You can book online or call us at (512) 575-4377 anytime. We have live answering around the clock.
Common AC Tune-Up Questions
How often should I get AC maintenance in Austin?
Schedule regular AC maintenance once a year at minimum, in spring before peak cooling season. Twice a year if you want heating covered too. It sounds like a sales pitch but the reasoning is straightforward: Central Texas systems run longer hours than most of the country, and that wear adds up faster than national averages suggest.
What actually happens during AC tune-up?
During HVAC check up we check the thermostat, clean the coils, inspect electrical connections, test refrigerant performance, clear the condensate drain, and look at ductwork and attic conditions. The U.S. Department of Energy specifically calls out filters, coils, fins, and refrigerant lines as the areas most tied to efficiency and reliability, and those are exactly what we focus on.
Is it worth to schedule AC Tune-Up if my system seems fine?
Usually, yes. The systems that “seem fine” and then fail in August almost always had early indicators that maintenance would have caught. That’s not a hypothetical. We see it every summer.
Do your technicians handle refrigerant?
Yes, and they’re EPA Section 608 certified to handle refrigerant. That certification is legally required for anyone servicing refrigerant-containing equipment. If a company can’t confirm that, it’s worth asking why.
What about carbon monoxide?
For homes with gas equipment, annual inspection matters. The EPA recommends professional inspection of fuel-burning appliances every year specifically to detect carbon monoxide issues. We include those checks during fall heating visits.
