What Is Included in an AC Tune-Up? Our 21-Point Checklist
An AC tune-up is not a filter change and a hose-down. Here is the 21-point checklist our technicians work through on every spring AC maintenance visit.
Outdoor unit
- Clean condenser coil (cottonwood, grass, dirt)
- Check fan motor amperage and bearings
- Test run capacitor under load
- Inspect contactor for pitting
- Tighten all electrical connections
- Check refrigerant pressures and superheat/subcooling
- Inspect line set insulation
- Level the pad and clear vegetation
Indoor unit
- Inspect evaporator coil
- Clear and flush condensate drain, test float switch
- Check blower motor amperage and wheel
- Replace or check filter
- Inspect ductwork at the plenum for leaks
- Measure static pressure
System
- Calibrate thermostat
- Measure temperature split across the coil (should be 16–22°F)
- Check safety controls
- Verify defrost/reversing valve on heat pumps
- Inspect disconnect and breaker
- Check for refrigerant leaks with electronic detector
- Written report with any recommendations
Why it pays
A clean coil and correct charge restore lost efficiency, and the two parts that fail most — capacitors and contactors — show weakness in testing before they strand you. Book before the first heat wave in Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, Lakeville or St. Cloud.