Return to Our Blog

Pre-Season HVAC Tune-Up: What It Is and Why Do You Need It?

Do you really need a pre-season HVAC tune-up? After all, the system performed great for the winter, so it must be ready to tackle the summer, right? Actually, the components that provided a cozy winter home will be inactive over the coming summer, just as your A/C was essentially asleep during the winter. Pre-season HVAC maintenance ensures your system is ready to provide comfort and energy efficiency when you need it.

The Importance of Pre-Season HVAC Maintenance

Pre-season HVAC maintenance readies your equipment for heavy use, keeping you cool in summer or warm in winter. A tune-up ensures your system works at peak efficiency by lubricating all moving parts and cleaning and inspecting various components, seals, and gaskets. Not only does this preventative maintenance extend the life of your (expensive) equipment, but it also keeps your utility bills in check and ensures your system is operating safely..

An Aire Serv® pre-season tune-up prevents the system from breaking down when you need it most — and improves indoor air quality all year round.

Why You Need a Pre-Season HVAC Tune-Up

We often speak of the “HVAC system” as a single entity, but in reality, your heating and cooling systems are distinct, though intertwined. You might use the furnace every day for three months, yet never again until the following winter. Meanwhile, the air conditioner may run frequently for four or five months and then sit idle until the following June.

Mechanisms in your HVAC system need maintenance when they have been left idle for months at a time. Lubricants dry out, seals and gaskets can become brittle, corrosion builds up, and electrical contacts become dirty. A pre-season HVAC tune-up lubricates, examines, cleans, tests, and replaces the components needed for the coming season.

How Is a Pre-Season HVAC Tune-Up Different from Seasonal HVAC Maintenance?

Both a pre-season HVAC tune-up and seasonal maintenance work like an annual doctor’s visit to ensure your body’s most essential systems are functioning properly and there are no signs of an issue. Minor problems are caught and corrected before they lead to major malfunctions. A licensed HVAC service provider is the “doctor” your unit needs to evaluate and treat valves, coils, drains, ducts, etc., on your heating and cooling system to prepare it for optimum performance.

The biggest difference between a pre-season HVAC tune-up and seasonal maintenance is the focus. The tune-up should be scheduled before the changing weather to guarantee your HVAC system’s heating or cooling is ready for heavy usage during the peak season. This helps avoid more costly and inconvenient emergency repair services.

Seasonal HVAC maintenance is also performed in the spring and fall using a comprehensive approach. The system that was used frequently is cleaned and readied for disuse, while the other is prepared for the coming season.

What Does a Pre-Season HVAC Tune-Up Include?

Your pre-season HVAC tune-up focuses on ensuring your air conditioner or heating system is in peak condition to meet the demands of the coming season.

Air Conditioner Pre-Season HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Did you know that an efficiently operating air conditioner can increase energy savings by up to 50%? As a result, air conditioner maintenance helps keep money in your pocket. Professional pre-season HVAC maintenance includes the following tasks:

Checking and Replacing Air Filters

Air filters trap dust, pollen, and other particles, taking them out of your home and preventing them from entering your HVAC system. Aire Serv inspects and replaces dirty or clogged air filters to improve airflow and indoor air quality.

Cleaning Evaporator and Condenser Coils

A/C evaporator coils absorb heat inside your home. They work in tandem with condenser coils to exchange heat appropriately and produce cool air. We check and clean any dust, dirt, or debris from these components to ensure they absorb and exchange heat efficiently.

Checking Refrigerant Levels

Refrigerant is a substance that absorbs and releases heat to cool your home. Our service professionals measure the refrigerant levels and recharge if necessary to ensure efficient cooling and prevent compressor damage.

Lubricating Moving Parts

Moving parts in your HVAC system, such as motors and fans, require lubrication to reduce friction and wear. Our service professionals apply lubricant to all moving parts, ensuring smooth and efficient operation while extending the lifespan of the components.

Assessing Airflow

Airflow refers to the movement of air through the HVAC system. Our pre-season HVAC tune-up for your A/C measures the airflow to ensure it is balanced and unobstructed, optimizing system efficiency.

Inspecting Condenser Fan Motor

The condenser fan motor helps dissipate heat from the refrigerant by blowing air over the condenser coils. We inspect the fan motor for signs of wear and proper operation, ensuring it functions efficiently to cool the refrigerant.

Inspecting and Tightening Electrical Connections

Electrical connections power the HVAC system and ensure all components work together. Our HVAC service professionals make sure all electrical connections are secure to prevent electrical failures and maintain safe, reliable operation.

Cleaning the Blowers and Fans

Blowers and fans circulate air through the HVAC system and your home. Our service professionals clean any dust and debris from blowers and fans to maintain proper airflow and prevent strain on the system.

Inspecting the Ductwork

Ductwork carries conditioned air throughout your home. We check for leaks, dirt, debris, and obstructions to ensure efficient transmission of warmed or cooled air.

Examining the Control Board

The control board is the HVAC system’s “brain,” managing all functions and coordinating operations. Aire Serv service professionals examine the control board for any faults or malfunctions and test all electrical components to ensure the controls are working properly.

Furnace Pre-Season HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Pre-season HVAC maintenance is as vital for your heating system as for the A/C. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, you can save up to 10% of energy with a high-efficiency furnace. When it’s time to increase your home’s internal temperature, pre-season furnace maintenance involves various assessments. As part of any HVAC maintenance, we clean and replace air filters, inspect the ductwork, lubricate all moving parts, tighten all electrical connections, and assess the airflow. For pre-season maintenance on your furnace, we also perform many heater-specific maintenance tasks:

Inspecting Pipes

Furnace intake pipes bring fresh air in from the outside, while exhaust pipes expel combustion byproducts, such as carbon monoxide and other gasses, safely outside the home. We inspect the pipes for leaks, blockages, or damage to ensure proper refrigerant flow and drainage.

Inspecting the Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger transfers heat from the furnace to the air that circulates through your home. We check for cracks or damage to ensure safe operation and prevent carbon monoxide leaks. This is a critical component of any pre-season HVAC tune-up or maintenance on the heating system.

Assessing the Ignitor Switch

Most updated furnaces are equipped with an electric ignitor switch that lights the furnace and converts fuel into heat. Testing the igniter switch on your furnace helps avoid excessive temperature fluctuations. If your ignitor switch is warped or cracked, we can easily replace it.

Cleaning the Exhaust Flue

The exhaust flue expels combustion gasses from the furnace. We clean the exhaust flue by scrubbing the pipe of dirt and debris buildup, ensuring safe and efficient gas venting. Additionally, we cut away branches and obstructions that could cause future damage.

Cleaning and Inspecting Burners

Burners in the furnace mix air and fuel to create heat. We ensure the burners are clean and functioning properly to maintain efficient combustion in gas furnaces.

Inspecting Gas Lines (for Gas Furnaces)

Gas lines supply fuel to the furnace. We check for any leaks or damage to ensure safe and efficient fuel delivery.

Inspecting Flue and Venting Systems

The flue and venting systems remove combustion byproducts from the furnace. To appropriately vent exhaust gasses, we inspect the gas lines to ensure they are clear of obstructions and debris.

According to the Building Efficiency Accelerator, performing A/C and furnace pre-season HVAC maintenance protects your system from costly repairs, ensures better air quality, decreases the risk of failures, and lowers HVAC energy costs by as much as 40%.

Cost-Saving Benefits of Pre-Season HVAC Maintenance

Pre-season HVAC maintenance saves you money in several ways:

  • Extends the Serviceable Life of HVAC Equipment: No HVAC system lasts forever. But with preventative maintenance like regular pre-season HVAC tune-ups, you can extend the life of the equipment. Catch minor issues before they cause significant damage, necessitating the replacement of your system.
  • Postpones Costly Repairs: Checking the gaskets and seals while lubricating all moving parts, these maintenance tasks can prevent larger, expensive components from failing. Preventative maintenance can alert you to problems down the road so you can better budget for them.
  • Savings on Your Monthly Utility Bills: Pre-season HVAC maintenance keeps your system running at peak efficiency, lowering your energy bills.

Ensuring Optimal Performance with Pre-Season HVAC Tune-Ups

Whether you hire us to perform pre-season HVAC maintenance, a tune-up, or a complete system overhaul, you can count on Aire Serv. Our comprehensive HVAC services include caring for central air, mini splits, hybrid systems, geothermal, heat pumps, furnaces, and more.

We know you’ll be pleased with our service because the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ backs our every move. You can count on our certified and licensed service experts to help you get the most out of your unit.

Call or schedule your pre-season maintenance appointment today.

Contact Aire Serv

* Indicates a required field
Thank you. We will get back to you soon.

A representative will be in touch with you shortly. If you have any additional questions, please call us at the number above.