AC Service & Maintenance

Our services

AC Tune-Up

A springtime or summertime AC tuneup cuts your cooling bills — and dramatically lessens the possibility your system will breakdown over the summer. 

We always recommend that homeowners get their systems ready prior to the summer. As efficient and powerful as modern AC systems are, they aren’t built to be as indestructible as in decades past. Basically, when one little thing goes wrong, the chance of a more serious failure becomes significantly higher. 

But what exactly do HVAC technicians do during AC tune-ups? Diamondback AC Technicians perform the following checks to keep your system running at peak condition.

1. Check the Outdoor Refrigerant Lines
Our technicians inspect the refrigerant lines for signs of physical damage. While something as simple as a stone ricocheting from a lawn mower is enough to damage it, a damaged refrigerant line can begin leaking. If too much refrigerant leaks out of your system, you won’t have an AC until it’s fixed.

2. Inspect the Refrigerant Line Insulation
If not insulated properly, the refrigerant line can condense and water will drip onto the floor. This item is on our air conditioning tuneup checklist because that dripping water can grow hidden patches of mold in your home.

3. Inspect the Indoor Unit Coil for Dirt
An important part of our AC Unit Tune-up, we ensure the unit coil is clean and free of dirt and debris. If dirt and dust get past the filter, they will settle on the coil, making your system less efficient.

4. Check the Outdoor Unit Coil
Since good air flow is key to a healthy HVAC system, we check to make sure the unit coil has enough air intake. Things as small as bush branches or grass clippings can partially block the coil.

5. Inspect the Filter
Since filters are important to your own health and the health of your system, we make sure you’re using the right filter and you’re changing it regularly. Learn about how to get your filters delivered with free shipping.

6. Examine the Blower that Pushes Cooled Air
Our technicians examine the blower fan for dirt and dust that can make the fan less effective.

7. Inspect the Condensate
If this is blocked, it can cause water to leak. Once again, it’s a mold hazard on your ceiling or floor.

8. Lubricate the System
The moving parts in some older models need lubricated. We handle this as part of the seasonal AC tuneup.

9. Test the Motor Capacitors
An electrical component on our AC tuneup checklist, we ensure the electrical motors are functioning properly. Generally, if the electrical components fail, the system fails. This is the number one reason for no-AC service calls.

10. Inspect the Air Handler for Leaks
As part of the tuneup, we make sure your air handler is sealed. Excessive air handler leakage can pull unconditioned air into the system.

11. Check the Safety Disconnect
The safety disconnect is a shutoff box which cuts electricity to the unit. We make sure it’s connected, so the electricity isn’t cut and your AC will run.

12. Access Refrigerant Caps for Correct Torque
If your system loses too much refrigerant, your AC will fail. Since refrigerant can leak in absence of proper torque, we always ensure the caps are tight enough.

13. Check the Thermostat Calibration
This is one of the most important steps on our HVAC tuneup checklist. Having a functional AC system is great, but if the thermostat isn’t calibrated, it won’t cool the way you tell it to. We check the calibration to make sure it’s listening to your wall thermostat.

14. Look for Bug and Rodent Issues
Unfortunately, bugs and rodents enjoy playing around in the electrical compartments of air conditioners. We check to make sure there are no chewed wires or other electrical issues.

15. Wax the Unit
As part of our AC tune-up checklist, our technicians wax the unit when needed to prevent rust.

16. Inspect the Fan Blade for Balance
If ice forms on the blades of your air conditioner during the winter, it can throw them off-balance during the spring and summer. If the blades are off-balance, it will cause the unit to shake more than normal, resulting in cracked components — like refrigerant lines.

17. Ensure the Outdoor Unit is Level and Draining Properly
If the unit isn’t level, it can strain the system, causing damage to the refrigerant lines.

18. Check the Wooden AC Unit Platform
Simple but very important, we also make sure the platform the main AC unit sits on is secure. If the unit ever does fall, the refrigerant lines can strain and break.

19. Measure the AC Unit Amp Draw
Excessive amperage draw is an indication of possible issues with the compressor or with the air flow. Measuring the amps gives us a warning if something could break down the road. That way we can fix the issue preemptively rather than as an emergency.

20. Inspect the Reversing Valve
Since most air conditioners also serve as electric heat pumps, one unit handles both the heating and the cooling. The reversing valve is what allows them to switch back and forth. If the valve fails, you won’t have your AC. Sure, air will still blow, but it won’t be cold. That’s why we ALWAYS inspect this crucial component.

21. Accurately Check the Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant levels show up a lot in this AC tune-up checklist because they are crucial to the system’s operations. While many technicians from other HVAC companies check with an analog gauge, they can only show a range. We check your EXACT refrigerant levels, using an ultra-precise digital gauge.

22. Check the Capacitor
Capacitors have an average lifespan of 3 years, but are inexpensive to replace. If we see the capacitor is on its way out, we’ll replace it. Having us swap it out when we’re already there is much better than making an emergency call for it.

23. Measure the Static Air Pressure
Finally, we measure static air pressure as a method to determine if your duct system can deliver the amount of air put into it. Essentially, our HVAC experts are looking for duct systems that are undersized for the equipment feeding them.