What it usually covers
- Checking the filter and airflow
- Inspecting and cleaning the outdoor coil, and checking the indoor coil
- Clearing the condensate drain line and checking the pan
- Testing capacitors, contactors and electrical connections
- Checking fan motors and the blower
- Measuring refrigerant pressures and temperatures, and watching for signs of a leak
- Checking the thermostat and a full cooling cycle
Why it is worth doing
Dirty coils and a clogged drain are the two things that most often turn into a warm house or a water leak mid-summer, and both are routine to deal with at a tune-up. A weak capacitor found in spring is a small repair; the same part failing during a heat wave can stop the system entirely.
When to schedule it
Spring, before the first hot stretch, is the usual time. A heat pump does both heating and cooling, so it is worth checking before each season.
What to ask afterward
What was measured, what was cleaned, and whether anything was found that needs attention now or should be watched. A good visit ends with a plain account of the system’s condition.