Every home needs a functional air conditioning system to beat the sweltering summer heat. However, not all homeowners take the proper steps to keep their AC systems thriving. As a result, many will enter the warm season with a broken system! Don’t jump into summer without getting your AC system evaluated and maintained. Instead, prepare for a spring AC tune-up by reading about AC inspections for your Minnesota home.

What is an air conditioning tune-up?

An air conditioning tune-up is a valuable assessment of the performance and health of your air conditioning system. A trained HVAC technician uses a keen eye to evaluate your system to ensure its functioning to the best of its abilities. They will also make necessary adjustments to verify it’s running efficiently, like changing the air filters or tightening loose electrical connections. These HVAC inspections are helpful in both maintaining your system and increasing its overall lifespan, so we recommend having an AC inspection once a year.

HVAC technician installing an air conditioning unit

The benefits of a spring air conditioning tune-up.

Happy family enjoys cool air from new air conditioning system

Every homeowner in Minnesota should have a spring AC tune-up for its notable benefits. The process takes little to no time and generally only costs around $100. Look at some of the main advantages of hiring a technician to perform an annual AC tune-up.

  • Quicker cooling times. A clean, well-maintained system is much better at filling a home with crisp air. Dirty coils and filters make the cooling process longer and more expensive, so tending to these parts will provide a more comfortable home in the summer heat.
  • Reduce AC costs. Technicians use this time to improve the efficiency of your units by checking their voltage connections. Plus, annual tune-ups reduce the need for costly repairs later down the line.
  • Improve air quality. Since air conditioning units cycle air throughout the home, it’s natural for them to pick up dust and dander. When you check that ductwork is clean and filters are free of buildup, you dramatically improve fresh air circulation in your home and reduce the chances of allergen exposure.

Pre-tune-up inspection.

Hands replace an air conditioning filter

Before your technician gets their hands dirty tuning your air conditioner, they will take some initial steps to ensure your units are primed for an AC inspection. Here are some things they consider before the AC tune-up.

  • Thermostat inspection. First, checking that the thermostat is functioning correctly is crucial to bring cool air into your home. An accurate thermostat is crucial to maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.
  • Indoor and outdoor unit inspection. Technicians will turn off the power to the AC for their safety while working in the units. Then, they will move debris and obstacles that hinder the efficiency of your system out of the way.
  • Air filter check. The technician will also examine the current air filter to see if it needs replacing. After all, a clean air filter improves air movement throughout ductwork and the rest of your home.
  • Ductwork examination. Lastly, before they begin the precision work within your AC unit, technicians will peer into your ductwork to see if it needs a routine cleaning.

During the tune-up.

Man fixes connections on outdoor ac unit

Once the HVAC technicians have guaranteed that your air conditioning systems aren’t obstructed, they’ll move on to increasing the efficiency of your AC unit. HVAC technicians consider several factors when performing a spring tune-up.

  • Clean drain line. The drain line is an essential component of your air conditioning system that removes excess condensation from the cooling process. A clean drain line is essential to remove that moisture; Otherwise, it might result in a leak. So, your technician will flush the line to prevent any clogging.
  • Refrigerant level check. Refrigerant is the primary element in your conditioning unit that creates cold air. While the liquid is consistently recycled to provide cool air, older units might slowly leak refrigerant. Technicians will check for any refrigerant level issues and repair any leaks.
  • Blower motor check. The fan that forces air throughout the AC system, a blower motor, may become defective over time. So, your technician will check the efficiency of a blower motor with a multimeter and measure its resistance.
  • Electrical connection tightening. Your HVAC technician will also adjust the electrical connections and confirm the tightness align with the specifications required for proper installation.
  • Amperage checks. The electrical charge within your system will also be checked to see whether it performs efficiently or has room for improvement. Changes might be needed to reduce your electricity consumption or improve air conditioning if it’s unusually high or low.
  • Drain pan check. Drain pains catch dripping condensation below the AC unit to protect your unit. Over time, they might develop cracks and leak due to corrosion. If so, the technician will speedily replace the drain pan to prevent leaking and avoid AC unit damage.
Man checks air conditioning unit on wall

Post-tune-up procedures.

Finally, the technician will complete their assessment by guaranteeing the air conditioning system is running. After the HVAC technician completes the AC tune-up, they will take these few final steps to ensure your air conditioning system will perform spectacularly this summer. 

  • AC performance check. Using a thermometer, the technician will run the air conditioning for 5-10 minutes and measure the temperature through the AC vents to guarantee the unit emits consistent, chilled air.
  • Recommendations for maintenance. If your AC system is having further troubles, your technician might suggest emergency HVAC repair or upgrades to improve its efficiency. Finally, they might have some valuable tips for caring for your AC unit in the future to extend its lifespan and reduce repair costs.

Stay chill this summer with a professional AC inspection.

Has your air conditioning unit been collecting dust over the winter? Forgetting about your AC unit is easy, but emergency HVAC services for broken units are costly. So instead, guarantee your family a cool home by scheduling a spring air conditioning tune-up with our technicians before the summer begins. Plus, if you need emergency AC repair in the Rogers, MN area, our team is on the way. Call us at (763) 568-7148 to learn more about our residential HVAC services.