What a Spring AC Tune-UpIncludes Item by Item

Preparing for the Summer Heat

Summer cooling runs for months in the Las Vegas valley, and your outdoor unit will sit in direct sun and dust for most of that time. Because the equipment works incredibly hard, ENERGY STAR recommends having your cooling checked in the spring. A thorough spring tune-up checks the electrical, mechanical and airflow parts before the 100°F days arrive.

Checking Refrigerant and Electrical Parts

A central part of the tune-up is checking the refrigerant pressures and temperatures. The refrigerant is the fluid that absorbs heat from inside your house and carries it outside. A technician checks pressures and temperatures because a system low on refrigerant can run long without cooling the house well.

We also check and tighten electrical connections. The vibrations from a running air conditioner can loosen wires over time. The technician will test the capacitor and contactor. The capacitor stores energy to help the motors start, and the contactor is the switch that turns the outdoor unit on and off. These electrical parts handle high voltage and face heavy wear during the hottest months of the year.

Cleaning the Outdoor Coil

Your outdoor unit needs to reject the heat it brings from inside your house. It does this by pulling outside air across a metal coil. In Las Vegas, blowing dust settles on the outdoor equipment and can clog the tiny fins on this coil. A clogged coil acts like a blanket, keeping the heat inside the system. Rinsing the outdoor coil removes this dust, helping the unit shed heat.

Airflow and the Condensate Drain

Inside the home, the tune-up includes checking the blower and the airflow. We check the filter, and if you have a clean one on hand, we will replace it for you. ENERGY STAR recommends that you check the filter every month and change it at least every three months. A dirty filter restricts airflow, which can cause the indoor coil to freeze or the blower motor to overheat.

As the indoor coil cools the air, it also pulls humidity from your house. This moisture drips into a pan and drains away through the condensate drain line. If this line gets clogged with dirt or algae, the water can back up and leak out of the indoor unit. Clearing the condensate drain line helps keep water from backing up, which matters most when the indoor unit sits in the attic or a hall closet.

Testing Controls and Ductwork Impacts

The technician will test the thermostat cooling cycle to confirm the equipment turns on and off when it should.

While checking airflow, we also keep the condition of your ducts in mind. According to ENERGY STAR, about 20 to 30 percent of the air moving through the ducts in a typical house is lost to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. If we notice signs of poor airflow, we may suggest looking at the ductwork to ensure the cooled air actually reaches your rooms.

A Detailed Written Report

At the end of the visit, the technician provides a written report of anything worth watching. Our tune-up process covers the specific items needed to help your system function:

• Checking refrigerant pressures and temperatures.
• Rinsing the outdoor coil.
• Checking and tightening electrical connections.
• Testing the capacitor and contactor.
• Clearing the condensate drain line.
• Checking the blower, airflow, and filter.
• Testing the thermostat cooling cycle.

Cooling Maintenance in Las Vegas

Regular checks help your equipment deal with the extreme environment. Central air conditioners commonly last about 15 to 20 years, and heat pumps about 10 to 15 years. Kestrel Heating & Air offers AC maintenance to homes across the valley. Our Kestrel Comfort Club is a maintenance plan that includes two visits a year, with a cooling tune-up in the spring and a heating tune-up in the fall, plus priority scheduling when you need us.