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HVAC Tune-Up FAQ

| Feb 27, 2020

Electrician Repairing Air Conditioner — Richmond, VA — Central York Corp

HVAC Tune-Up FAQ

Are you thinking about getting an HVAC tune-up this year? Tune-ups are good for your HVAC system, but before you pay a contractor to perform this service, you should understand why a tune-up is important and what you should to look for when hiring a contractor to perform this task. This FAQ can help you make smart decisions as you choose an HVAC professional to perform a comprehensive inspection of your HVAC system.

Why Get an HVAC Tune-Up?

Tune-ups are designed to keep your HVAC system functional year after year. By getting regular inspections, you can extend the life of your furnace and air conditioner, avoid break downs in the middle of a hot summer or cold winter, and maximize the efficiency of the entire system.

An HVAC tune-up can also help you avoid costly repairs. Finally, getting an HVAC tune-up helps ensure that you'll be able to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.

What Happens During an HVAC Tune-Up and Why?

A very thorough HVAC tune-up involves the completion of a variety of clean up and inspection tasks, and in some cases, some parts may be replaced. For example, here’s what happens during a typical tune-up:

Condenser coils cleaned. This makes it easier for your air conditioner to expel warm air and can improve your air conditioner's overall efficiency.
Thermostat batteries replaced. When thermostat batteries die, this can create a false impression that the thermostat itself is broken; your contractor should replace the batteries to prevent this from happening.
Air filters replaced. Replacing a dirty air filter makes it easier for your HVAC system to circulate air, which reduces wear and tear on the system.
Ductwork inspected. Your HVAC contractor will check your ducts for air leaks and insulation and will make recommendations for repairs or upgrades if they are necessary.
Condensate drain inspected and cleared. Inspecting and clearing the condensate drain prevents clogs from causing a water leak that could damage your home.
Unit wiring inspected and tightened. Your contractor will inspect your wiring for loose connections, to prevent short circuits from shutting down the system.
Pilot light re-lit. A pilot light that has gone out can create the false impression that the heater is not working, so your contractor will inspect and re-light the pilot light if it is necessary.
UV Protection applied. Applying UV protection to your air conditioner condenser protects the condenser cabinet from the elements, which can extend the life of the cabinet.

This list just scratches the surface of a standard HVAC tune-up. Other tasks include the inspection and cleaning of the motors, inspection of the belts and pulleys, adjustment of the fan switch, inspection of the gas line and flue pipe, lubrication of the motors and bearings, inspection and cleaning of the blower wheel. In other words, your contractor should inspect as many moving and stationary parts as possible.

How Often Should You Get an HVAC Tune-Up?

HVAC contractors typically recommend getting a tune-up annually. This is a good idea to do either before the summer heating season or the winter cooling season since the HVAC system sees heavy use at both times of the year.

How Long Do Tune-Ups Take?

A good tune-up can take about 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours. Beware of tune-ups that take dramatically less time, as this could be a sign that the inspection is not very thorough.

How Can You Find a Contractor for Your Tune-Up?

Not all contractors are thorough when they're conducting an HVAC tune-up. Some will visually inspect but will not clean; others do not inspect all of the parts including the furnace, air conditioner, ducts, and blower.

If you're planning to hire a contractor to perform an HVAC tune-up, get a list of each task that the inspection includes. Consider tune-ups from different contractors and compare the lists from each contractor you're considering. Hire the contractor that offers the best tune-up at the best price.

Other things to consider when hiring a contractor for an annual HVAC tune-up:

Reputation and references. Read online reviews and check references from contractors you've never worked with before.
Professionalism and customer service. Hire a contractor who answers the phone politely and consistently, who answers questions to your satisfaction and who responds to messages the following business day.
Range of services. Hire a contractor who offers a wide range of services so that, if your HVAC system does break down, you can use the same contractor to do the repairs.

Following these tips, you can hire a reputable contractor who will perform your tune-up the right way.

Need a Precision Tune-Up? Contact Central York

When you need a tune-up from a reputable company, contact Central York. We perform thorough Precision Tune-Ups for our customers, and when the inspection is finished, we'll give you a tune-up completion certificate to certify that the inspection has been properly performed.

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