10 Signs Your System Needs a Tune Up

You probably don’t worry much about your HVAC equipment when it’s working well. An HVAC system provides heat in the winter, cool air in the summer, and clean air year-round, and we enjoy the comfort but tend to overlook its source. Yet HVAC maintenance is crucial to extend your equipment’s functional life, postpone the need for costly repairs, and manage your utility bills. Learn the signs that indicate it’s time for an HVAC system tune-up.

Why HVAC Tune-up Really Matters

Depending on the system type and size, a new HVAC system may cost anywhere from $5,000 to $34,000. Routine HVAC maintenance is essential to protect this investment in your family’s comfort and your home’s value. Regular HVAC system tune-ups prevent minor issues from growing to cause problems that require costly repairs. They also prevent excess wear and tear, limiting the equipment’s useful life span. Further, your monthly utility bills reflect the efficiency of your system. An air conditioning tune-up can help to keep your family comfortable without sending the utility bills soaring. Finally, most HVAC equipment warranties require routine maintenance for the protection to remain valid. If it’s been a while since your last HVAC system tune-up, it’s time to give your local Aire Serv® pros a call.

Let’s examine 10 common signs that your air conditioning system needs a tune-up.

#1 The System Blows Warm Air

One of the top A/C tune-up signs is when your system fails to cool. If the air conditioner seems to be running constantly without cooling your home, place your hand over one of the supply registers. Odds are the air feels warm, which means the system is barely cooling your home, if at all. Potential causes range from low refrigerant levels to a faulty compressor. At this rate, the A/C will be unable to keep up on hot summer days, and your energy bills will increase as comfort levels drop.

#2 Vents Deliver Weak Airflow

Perhaps the air your HVAC produces is quite cool, but it’s barely coming out of the supply register. This weak airflow means much of the air you’re paying to cool never reaches the living space. Replace the air filter, and make sure all the room vents are open and unobstructed. If the issue remains, an air conditioning tune-up will track down and fix the problem.

#3 The System Runs in Spurts

If your HVAC system frequently turns on and off yet never reaches the desired temperature, it is short cycling. This prevents the air conditioner from removing excess humidity, resulting in a muggy, stuffy home. It also wears out system parts faster.

#4 You Notice Drastic Temperature Differences

If one room feels too hot while another seems too cold, there are a few possible causes. One room might have high sun exposure or inadequate insulation, and leaky windows can also play a role. If you rule these out, the temperature differences could be an A/C tune-up sign indicating a ductwork leak.

#5 Moisture Collects Where It Shouldn’t

If water is dripping or collecting under your air conditioning equipment, you may have a blocked or broken drain tube. This isn’t a serious maintenance problem, but you should address it promptly to prevent something more problematic like mold growth.

#6 You Hear Strange Sounds

Over the years, you become familiar with what your A/C sounds like. If grating, grinding, squealing, or another sound has developed, get an air conditioning tune-up promptly. You may have a compressor problem, motor bearings going out, or a fan belt slipping. Prompt service can prevent potentially serious damage from occurring.

#7 You Detect Strange Odors

Musty smells indicate mold growth somewhere in the system. Burning or pungent odors could mean the wire insulation has burned out. Either way, a tune-up eliminates these odors and fixes the underlying problem.

#8 Your Bills are Climbing

Keeping an eye on your utility bills from month to month is a wise practice. If your utility bill ever spikes without a corresponding increase in usage, it is a clear A/C tune-up sign. Something is impairing your HVAC efficiency and must be fixed. An A/C tune-up may save you money on your energy bills all summer long.

#9 Your Home Is Excessively Dusty

Dirty, neglected HVAC equipment is bound to blow dust into your home. A quick system-wide cleanup restores the equipment to near-new condition and prevents you from needing to dust every other day. Your HVAC is designed to filter out dust and particulates, not to send them back into your home.

#10 You Skipped Maintenance Last Year

The general recommendation is to have your air conditioner tuned up every spring (and your furnace every fall) to promote its efficient operation, lower your energy bills, catch problems early, and maintain your equipment warranty in good standing. Don’t fall behind another year. Schedule HVAC maintenance to prevent an expensive repair from cropping up.

Contact Aire Serv for a Heating and Air Conditioning Tune-Up Today!

Now that you have reviewed our 10 HVAC tune-up signs, you’ll know when to call your local Aire Serv for help. We provide comprehensive HVAC services, including heating and air conditioning tune-ups, repairs, and new system installations.

You can count on the quality of our work. The Neighborly Done Right PromiseTM backs everything we do because the job’s not done until it’s done right.

Request an appointment today, and breathe easier with Aire Serv.