“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” HVAC upkeep and specifically annual AC tune-ups are one of those maintenance items that get forgotten about until it’s too late. An AC tune-up is an essential part of maintaining your air conditioner’s efficiency, preventing costly repairs, and prolonging its lifespan. In this blog about an AC tune-up on Kiawah Island, we will discuss what an AC tune-up includes, why they are important, the signs that your Kiawah Island home needs an AC tune-up, the AC tune-up process, and why the Fix-it 24/7 Green Club maintenance plan is worth every penny.
Fix-it 24/7 is a leading HVAC service provider in Charleston, South Carolina, offering AC repair and maintenance, and cooling tune-up services in and around Charleston, including Kiawah Island.
What Does an AC Tune-Up Include?
An AC tune-up on Kiawah Island, SC, by Fix-it 24/7 involves a thorough 33-point inspection and maintenance of your air conditioner, including:
- Cleaning the primary pan (condensate drain)
- Checking the electrical system
- Inspecting for particulate build-up
- Cleaning the blower (fan)
- Cleaning the AC coil
- Inspecting outdoor AC unit for damage
- Cleaning the AC compressor
Why AC Tune-Ups are Important
Regular AC maintenance and tune-ups are crucial for ensuring the efficiency and longevity of your air conditioning system. A properly maintained system can save you money on energy bills and prevent costly breakdowns. Additionally, a well-tuned air conditioner can provide better indoor air quality and more consistent cooling performance in your Kiawah Island home.
Signs You Need an AC Tune Up
Some common signs that you may need an AC tune-up on Kiawah Island include:
- Poor cooling performance
- Unusual noises coming from the system
- Higher than normal energy bills
- Frequent cycling on and off
- Uneven cooling throughout your home
Kiawah Island AC Tune-Up Process
At Fix-it 24/7, the guys who actually do it, our technicians follow a comprehensive 33-point process for AC tune-ups, the same process we followed for this AC tune-up on Kiawah Island which includes the following steps.
Secure Air Handler
Your indoor air conditioning unit may be hanging off the ground to allow for ventilation and minimize ductwork. If this is the case, you may need to additionally secure your air conditioner when doing maintenance, at least if you have to move one of the brackets holding it up as our technicians did for this Kiawah Island homeowner. Before removing the supporting hardware, the platform was supported with an appropriately sized ratchet strap that could handle the weight of the air handler.
Clean Primary Pan & Condensate Drain
Our service technicians first clean the primary pan where condensate drains, ensuring proper drainage and preventing potential water damage. We check the condensate drain line for build-up or blockages and clean out debris from the primary drain pan.
Check Electrical System
We inspect the electrical components, such as the capacitor and wiring, to ensure optimal efficiency and prevent potential issues.
Inspect Particulate Build-Up
The next step is to pull the service covers and examine your air conditioner for particulate build-up, which can reduce efficiency and lead to costly breakdowns.
It was determined that the blower and associated components were dirty and needed to be cleaned.
Clean Blower (Fan)
When an AC fan needs cleansing, our team cleans the blower, removing dirt and debris that can impact the airflow and efficiency of your system. Getting an AC tune-up on Kiawah Island is crucial to the longevity of your system for this process specifically, due to the dust and salt that come with being so close to the ocean.
To do this, the blower housing first needs to be removed from the air conditioner.
Next, the blower housing needs to be disassembled. This involves removing the screws around the housing and the bracket which holds the electrical components, such as the relay, capacitor, transformer, and door switch. These parts just pop on and off the blower motor housing as they are attached to a single bracket.
The fan itself is held to the motor driveshaft by a single nut, then the fan slides right off.
To clean the blower, we spray it with compressed air, then wash it down with water. The built-up particulate is then agitated with a brush and finally rinsed off once more. To dry, it is sprayed once again with compressed air. While the fan is out of the housing, the housing is also cleaned by wiping it down.
Technician’s Note: Plastic housings are preferred over metal ones due to their heat resistance.
The entire assembly is then reassembled and ready for reinstallation into the air conditioning unit.
Clean AC Coil
We clean the AC coil using a specialized coil cleaner to improve heat transfer and cooling performance. If you’re getting an AC tune-up on Kiawah Island, make sure to ask for this additional step, especially if you’re experiencing poor cooling performance. Often times, you won’t need a recharge, but rather a good cleaning of the AC coil.
Reassembly
After cleaning and inspecting all components, we reassemble your air conditioner, ensuring it is ready to provide optimal cooling performance.
Once everything is back in place, the platform is reattached and the support strap is removed. The AC system is then tested to make sure it’s working properly.
Outdoor AC Unit
Moving outside, the outdoor compressor unit is cleaned of all dirt, leaves, and debris. The base pan, compressor, condenser, and electrical system are inspected for damage. While this step of the AC tune-up on Kiawah Island seems straightforward, it’s relatively dangerous because you have to shut down power and protect the electrical components. That’s another reason to leave this to the professionals.
Additionally, all components are tested for functionality to ensure they are working properly and won’t break down on the customer for the current season.
Fix-it 24/7 Green Club Membership Home Maintenance Plan
Fix-it 24/7 offers a comprehensive home maintenance plan called the Green Club. Green Club members enjoy a complimentary AC tune-up for Charleston and Kiawah Island residents. Our plan ensures your HVAC system remains in peak condition with multiple inspections every year which prevents breakdowns and improves efficiency for as little as $24.95 per month.
The Fix-it 24/7 Green Club maintenance plan also gives members a substantial discount on all repairs and replacements, with savings across all incurred costs. Members also can utilize the “Bubble Bank” which allows you to use every dollar you spend on your membership for future replacements.
Cost of an AC Tune Up
The cost of an AC tune-up on Kiawah Island can vary depending on the complexity of the job and the specific services required. However, investing in regular tune-ups can save you money in the long run by preventing costly repairs and maintaining your system’s efficiency.
As mentioned above, Fix-it 24/7 Green Club members enjoy a FREE annual tune-up for their AC system, as well as the numerous other benefits mentioned above that make the membership even better than free!
Kiawah Island, South Carolina AC Tune-Up Contractor
Fix-it 24/7 is your trusted Kiawah Island AC tune-up contractor, offering reliable and affordable HVAC service for residents in the Charleston, South Carolina area. We are proud to service American Standard systems and other leading brands, ensuring the highest quality maintenance for your air conditioner. Don’t wait until your air conditioner breaks down – schedule an AC tune-up on Kiawah Island, SC today with Fix-it 24/7. Our skilled technicians are here to help! Feel free to see what your neighbors have to say on our Google reviews!
