By Hood Service Company · Corsicana, TX · Updated
The short version
- A tune-up checks, cleans and tests the parts that wear, so small problems are caught before they become breakdowns.
- Spring visits focus on cooling and fall visits on heating, matching North-Central Texas seasons.
- Your part is easy: change the filter, keep the outdoor unit clear and watch the condensate drain.
- Every Hood Comfort Club tier includes two tune-ups a year, spring and fall.
What is an HVAC tune-up?
A tune-up is a scheduled visit where a technician inspects, cleans, measures and tests your heating and cooling equipment. The goal is to confirm it runs safely and as designed, and to catch wear early.
It isn't a repair visit, and nothing has to be broken. The technician looks at the parts that wear or drift out of adjustment over time and records what they find, so you build a history of your system's condition. That history is useful later, whether you're weighing a repair or planning a replacement.
What does a cooling tune-up typically cover?
A cooling tune-up typically covers the outdoor coil, the electrical parts inside the unit, refrigerant performance, airflow, the condensate drain and the thermostat. Ask any contractor for their written checklist so you know what's included.
- Inspect and clean the outdoor coil so the unit can release heat.
- Check the contactor, capacitor and wiring connections inside the unit for wear.
- Measure pressures and temperatures to confirm the refrigerant charge is right.
- Check the blower, the indoor coil where it's accessible, and overall airflow.
- Clear and test the condensate drain.
- Confirm the thermostat reads the temperature accurately and controls the system correctly.
What does a heating tune-up typically cover?
A heating tune-up checks the burners, heat exchanger, ignition, safety controls and venting on a gas furnace, or the defrost cycle, reversing valve and backup heat on a heat pump, plus airflow and the thermostat.
On a gas furnace, the technician typically inspects the burners and flame, checks the heat exchanger for cracks or corrosion, tests the ignition and safety switches, and looks at the venting. These are the checks that matter most for safe operation, and they're jobs for a technician only.
On a heat pump, the technician checks the defrost cycle, the reversing valve that switches between heating and cooling, and the backup heat if your system has it. Because a heat pump works year-round, both the spring and fall visits apply to it.
What can you do between visits?
Check your air filter regularly, keep the outdoor unit clear, glance at the condensate drain and replace thermostat batteries. Leave anything inside the equipment cabinets to a technician.
- Check the filter monthly in heavy-use months and replace it when it looks dirty; see air filters and MERV ratings.
- Keep grass, leaves and stored items a couple of feet away from the outdoor unit.
- Look at the condensate drain line and pan for standing water.
- Replace thermostat batteries once a year if your model uses them.
What happens when maintenance is skipped?
Skipped maintenance lets dirt, wear and small drain or refrigerant problems build up unnoticed. The usual result is higher energy use, less comfort and a breakdown on the hottest or coldest day of the year.
Dirty coils make the system work harder. A clogged drain can back up and leak into the house. A weak capacitor can fail without warning. A dirty filter starves the system of airflow and can freeze the indoor coil; see why an AC coil freezes. If something already seems off, try the HVAC troubleshooter before your visit.
Some manufacturer warranties also ask for proof of regular maintenance, so read your warranty terms and keep your service records.
How do you keep maintenance on schedule?
Book a cooling tune-up in spring and a heating tune-up in fall, before the busy seasons arrive. A maintenance plan keeps both visits on the calendar so you don't have to remember them.
Every tier of the Hood Comfort Club includes two tune-ups a year, spring and fall. Members also get priority service and discounts on plan work; the plans page lists the tiers and details. If you'd rather book a single visit, see AC maintenance and tune-ups or heating maintenance and tune-ups.
When should you call a technician?
- Water is pooling around the indoor unit, or the drain pan keeps filling.
- The outdoor unit runs, but the air inside isn't getting cooler.
- You notice a burning smell when the system starts.
- The breaker for the system trips again after one reset.
- You smell gas: leave the house first, then call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
Frequently asked questions
How often should HVAC maintenance be done?
Twice a year is the common recommendation: cooling in spring and heating in fall. A heat pump handles both jobs, so both visits apply. Filters need attention more often than that.
Is maintenance worth it on a new system?
Yes. New equipment still collects dirt, and early visits create a record of how it performed when new. Some warranties ask for documented maintenance, so check your paperwork.
Can I clean the outdoor coil myself?
Clearing leaves and debris from around the outdoor unit is a good homeowner task. Leave cleaning the coil itself to a technician, because the fins bend easily and the cabinet holds electrical parts.
What's the difference between a tune-up and an inspection?
A tune-up includes cleaning and adjustment as part of routine care. An inspection focuses on testing and documenting condition, for example before buying a home or when deciding whether to repair or replace. See AC inspection and testing for more.