Why You Should Schedule an AC Tune-Up Before Summer Hits

Air conditioners in North Texas don’t get much of a break once summer kicks in. The hotter it gets, the harder your system has to work to keep your home comfortable. Scheduling a professional AC tune-up in the spring can help you avoid expensive and inconvenient problems later.

Spring Tune-Ups Are All About Timing

By late May or early June, HVAC companies across Arlington and the Dallas–Fort Worth area start booking up fast. Emergency calls spike, especially during the first major heatwave of the season. Scheduling your tune-up in April or early May means:

• More flexibility to pick your appointment time
• Time to address small issues before they turn into system failures
• Less pressure to make decisions if a repair or replacement is needed

What Does an AC Tune-Up Visit Actually Include?

Some homeowners are surprised to learn that a standard maintenance visit is primarily a system-wide inspection—not a full cleaning or overhaul. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. These diagnostic checks help identify wear-and-tear issues early, before they snowball into a breakdown.

A typical professional tune-up includes checks like:

• Testing thermostat settings and accuracy
• Measuring airflow and checking vent temperatures
• Inspecting visible ductwork for air leaks
• Confirming the blower motor is spinning freely
• Checking the cleanliness and condition of the blower wheel
• Inspecting the evaporator and condenser coils
• Testing refrigerant pressure and looking for signs of imbalance
• Verifying electrical readings (compressor, capacitor and contactor)
• Flushing the condensate drain to prevent backup
• Reviewing insulation and refrigerant line condition

The goal of a tune-up isn’t to fix every issue on the spot; it’s to spot potential issues early and give homeowners the chance to resolve them before their AC system is running at full capacity every day.

Why Some Companies Oversell What’s Included in Their Maintenance

HVAC companies aren’t always entirely transparent with what their maintenance visits entail. Companies brand their maintenance checks differently, with most portraying their “24-point” or “32-point” inspection as a steal at $75, $99 or $150.

It’s important for homeowners to understand what they’re actually getting for their investment. These maintenance visits are important for system performance, efficiency and longevity, but they’re also sales tools for HVAC companies. For many AC maintenance companies, the technician’s primary goal during a maintenance visit is to sell you chemical cleanings and component replacements.

Oftentimes they will tell you some component, like the capacitor, is still under warranty and show you readings on their multimeter that indicate you may be better off replacing it while the part is still free. What they likely don’t want to tell you is the capacitor itself isn’t that expensive. Most of the replacement cost is in the labor.

Some of the cleaning and part replacement services technicians offer will help improve air quality, enhance efficiency, reduce the risk of summer AC breakdowns and make your system last longer. However, it’s important for homeowners to keep in mind these tune-up visits are half about legitimate maintenance checks and half about selling you additional services.

Why These Inspections Can Save You Money

The real value in a tune-up comes from what it helps you avoid. Most major AC repairs start as minor, inexpensive problems. A weak capacitor can cause the fan motor to overheat. A small refrigerant leak can slowly strain the compressor. A clogged drain line can overflow and damage drywall or flooring.

Catching those issues early means:

• Lower repair costs
• Fewer emergency service calls
• Less stress during peak summer heat
• Longer system lifespan
• Better overall efficiency (and lower bills)

At Tom’s Mechanical, we believe in making these inspections count. Our technicians will explain what they see, what it means for your system and whether it's worth addressing now or simply keeping an eye on. We’ll never pressure you into unnecessary upgrades or try to pass off a routine service as an emergency.

How to Tell If You Shouldn’t Wait on Scheduling an AC Tune-Up

Even if you’re still weeks away from running your AC all day, certain warning signs mean you should get your system checked as soon as possible:

• You’ve noticed inconsistent temperatures or weak airflow compared to last summer
• The system makes a buzzing, rattling or clicking noise at startup
• Your energy bills are higher even though usage hasn’t changed
• The system takes longer than usual to cool your home
• Your thermostat seems inaccurate or unresponsive

Schedule During Spring and Avoid Air Conditioner Failure When You Need It Most

At Tom’s Mechanical, we help Arlington-area homeowners keep their systems running reliably during the hottest months of the year. A spring tune-up gives you peace of mind and helps prevent the kind of urgent, mid-season calls no one wants to make.

We’ll recommend services that can enhance your comfort and extend your system’s life—but we’ll also tell you how important they really are. You’ll never be pushed into paying for something you don’t need. One of our most important jobs is to give you the information and options so you can make the decision that’s right for your home.

Call 817-277-4493 today to schedule your air conditioner tune-up before summer hits.