Before it gets too warm outside, now is a good time to start thinking about your home’s A/C system. Is it running efficiently? If not, it could be time for a tune-up. With today’s Tips of the Toolbox, Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical GM Jay Kline is here to show us everything we need to know before a technician arrives.
This is an older Trane unit. A lot of us are in this position where we have one or two older units sitting outside.
This is an older system and this is one of those that’s at the age where you really need to start getting it checked out every year. We recommend having a tune-up done on your A/C system twice a year.
What are some of the things that jump out at you that mean, this system needs a tune-up?
One of the things that we include in our tune-ups that many other companies don’t do is an outdoor coil cleaning. The coils get really dirty and dusty, especially here in Arizona. As these units sit outside, air goes through them and they get dusty. It really hurts your energy bills and your unit’s efficiency.
What should a tune-up consist of?
To do a proper tune-up, a coil cleaning should be done. Many companies charge a lot extra for that to be done. We include as part of our tune-up because that’s really the only way to get the system ready for the summer. One of the other things we do is make sure we go into your attic. A lot of people say, it’s just heating up there. It’s not. There is a lot of air conditioning stuff still up there even if you have a gas furnace. You have to get up into the attic and check. It’s hot, but there are a lot of things to check.
How much should a tune-up cost?
Our tune-up costs $79. It’s a little more expensive than others – you’ll see some for $19, some free – but you get what you pay for. Really all they’re doing is cutting corners. They will come then come out and say it’s $150 to clean the coils, etc. How can a company really make money coming out for $19? Their whole goal is to see what they can build that up to.
What is the goal of a tune-up? To make the system run longer?
It’s to extend the life of the system. There are a lot of little parts in the unit, such as electrical components and contractors that are fairly cheap but if they go unattended can cause big issues down the road.
And you will attach these things to the unit to see if it’s running?
Yes, one of the big things that has to be checked during a tune-up are your Freon levels. Our technicians carry these gauges and they are really the only way to check it. Gauges will check the temperature and the pressure and it tells you exactly what your charge needs to be.
So that’s how Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical is different then. You go state-of-the-art with everything.
Yes, it’s really the way to go to check everything out properly. We suggest air conditioning tune-ups at least once a year but we recommend twice a year, really – once in the spring for the air conditioner and once in the fall for the heating.
You better call quickly, because Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical will start getting busy! Call today and receive a complete tune-up for $49 instead of $79!