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Annual AC tune-up & refrigerant check keeps your system efficient and helps prevent costly summer breakdowns. We catch weak capacitors, dirty coils, and refrigerant leaks in May - before they fail during Chicago's first heat wave.
This isn't a quick look-over. We spend 45-60 minutes on every system, checking everything that matters. Here's exactly what you get for $89:
Your outdoor coil gets caked with pollen, cottonwood, and dirt. We clean it thoroughly - this alone improves efficiency 10-15% and takes strain off the compressor.
We measure refrigerant charge and pressures. If it's low (40% of systems), there's a leak. We'll find it, give you repair options, and explain why just "topping it off" doesn't work.
Weak capacitors cause 25% of emergency calls. We test both run and start capacitors, and inspect contactors for pitting. Replace a $180 capacitor in May vs emergency call on July 4th? Easy choice.
Outdoor fan motors run hard all summer. We lubricate bearings where applicable, check blade condition, and inspect for wear. A seized motor costs $400-600 to replace.
High amp draw means your compressor is struggling - dirty coils, low refrigerant, or mechanical wear. We catch this before it causes failure. Compressor replacement costs $2,000-3,500.
We verify your thermostat calls for cooling properly, check temperature accuracy, and make sure it's communicating with the outdoor unit. Miscalibrated thermostats waste energy.
Clogged drains cause 20% of no-cooling calls - your AC shuts down to prevent water damage. We clear the line, check the drain pan, and make sure water flows freely.
You get a written report on your system's condition. If we find issues, we explain what they are, why they matter, and give you repair options. No pressure, no scare tactics.
Some customers ask why we need separate tune-ups for heating and cooling. Simple: they're completely different systems that share only the blower and ductwork. Here's what makes AC maintenance unique:
Your AC's outdoor coil sits outside year-round. Chicago's cottonwood season in June can clog it completely in weeks - it looks like someone stuffed it with cotton balls. Combine that with pollen, grass clippings, and city grime, and you understand why 60% of tune-ups involve dirty coils. Refrigerant leaks are also common (40% of systems) because vibration, weather, and corrosion eventually crack copper lines.
Here's what happens every year in Chicago: April is quiet. Everyone thinks they have time. Then late May hits 85°F for three days, and suddenly our phones don't stop ringing. By June, we're scheduling 2-3 weeks out, which means you're gambling that your AC holds together until we can get there.
The smart move? Schedule your tune-up in April or early May. Here's why that timing matters:
In April, we can usually get to you within a few days. By June? You're competing with every emergency repair call from systems that just failed.
If we find a weak capacitor or worn contactor in May, we have time to order parts and schedule the repair before heat wave season. In July? You wait.
When the first 95°F week hits, you want your AC already checked and ready. Not sitting on our schedule hoping nothing breaks before we arrive.
Every June, Chicago gets its first heat wave and we get slammed with emergency calls. Systems that would have passed a May tune-up fail under the first real load. Scheduling opens up, wait times triple, and if you need a part, you're waiting days instead of next-day. We see this pattern every single year - the customers who call us in April are cool all summer, while the ones who wait until June are sweating and frustrated.
We've been doing this long enough to know what fails. Here's what we catch during annual tune-ups - before they cause emergency calls:
There's a leak somewhere. We find it, give you repair options, and explain why just adding refrigerant doesn't work.
Tests weak but hasn't failed yet. Replace it for $180 now vs emergency call on July 4th? Easy choice.
Caked with cottonwood, pollen, and grime. Cleaning them improves efficiency 10-15% immediately.
Algae buildup in the condensate line. If it backs up completely, your AC shuts down to prevent water damage.
Pitted from electrical arcing. Eventually they weld shut or fail open - both mean no cooling.
System checks out fine. We clean the coils, document everything, and you're set for summer.
The best way to explain this is with a real example from last summer. Customer called us on July 4th weekend - no cooling, house at 88°F, guests arriving for a BBQ. The problem? Failed capacitor. The cost? $180 for the part plus $95 emergency weekend trip charge. The kicker? We would have caught that capacitor during a May tune-up.
The capacitor costs $180 either way. But catching it during a scheduled May tune-up means you plan the repair, schedule it when convenient, and never lose cooling. Waiting until it fails on a holiday weekend means emergency charges, longer wait times, and days without AC. This pattern repeats with contactors, refrigerant leaks, clogged drains, and dirty coils. Prevention isn't just cheaper - it's saner.
Let's clear up the biggest scam in the AC industry: refrigerant does NOT need to be "topped off" every year. Your AC's refrigerant system is a closed loop. If refrigerant is low, there's a leak. Period.
Some companies will tell you that refrigerant naturally depletes and needs annual recharging. That's a lie. They're either ignorant or crooked. Either way, you shouldn't trust them with your AC.
Result: Fixed properly. Leak doesn't come back. Refrigerant stays in the system where it belongs.
Result: You paid for refrigerant that leaked out. Leak still there. They'll charge you again next year.
Leak detection and repair typically costs $300-600 depending on where the leak is. A simple recharge costs $200-300. So dishonest companies skip the leak repair because it's easier to sell you a recharge every year than fix the problem once. Over 3-4 years, you'll spend $800-1,200 on recharges instead of $600 fixing it properly the first time.
Plus, running an AC with low refrigerant damages the compressor. That leak they ignored? It'll eventually cost you a $2,500 compressor replacement.
For customers who want year-round peace of mind, we offer a seasonal plan that covers both your heating and cooling systems. One price, two tune-ups, plus repair discounts.
We don't lock you into multi-year contracts or auto-renew your credit card. You pay $179 once, you get two tune-ups within the next 12 months, plus the repair discount. When it's time to renew, we'll remind you - but it's your choice. We'd rather earn your business every year than trap you in fine print.
Our AC tune-up costs $89 and includes cleaning condenser coils, checking refrigerant levels, testing capacitor and contactor, lubricating fan motor, measuring amp draw, testing thermostat, and checking the condensate drain. If we find issues that need repair, we give you a written estimate - no pressure, no scare tactics.
April or May is ideal - before Chicago's heat waves hit. This gives us time to order parts if needed, and you avoid the June rush when everyone's AC starts failing at once. By late May and June, we're booking 2-3 weeks out because we're slammed with emergency calls.
No - that's a scam. Refrigerant is a closed system. If it's low, there's a leak. We find and fix the leak first ($300-600 depending on location), then recharge the system. Just adding refrigerant annually without fixing leaks wastes your money, harms the environment, and eventually damages your compressor. Any company that says otherwise is either ignorant or dishonest.
Different components entirely. AC tune-up focuses on the refrigerant system, outdoor coil cleaning (gets dirty from pollen/cottonwood), capacitor/contactor testing, and condensate drainage. Furnace tune-up focuses on combustion, heat exchanger, flame sensor, and gas safety. They share only the blower and ductwork - everything else is unique to each system. Both need annual service.
Low refrigerant (40% of systems), weak capacitors (25%), dirty coils (60%), clogged drains (20%), and worn contactors (15%). The percentages add up to more than 100% because many systems have multiple issues. Catching these in May for $180 in parts beats emergency repairs on July 4th weekend when you're stuck without AC for 2 days.
Yes. Most AC problems develop gradually - dirty coils reduce efficiency slowly, capacitors weaken over time, small leaks get worse. By the time you notice symptoms, the damage is often done. The weak capacitor we catch during a May tune-up for $180 would have failed mid-summer, potentially damaging your compressor ($2,500 replacement). Prevention is cheaper and less stressful than emergency repairs.
If you own your home and plan to stay a few years, yes. You get spring AC tune-up + fall furnace tune-up + 15% off repairs. The discount alone pays for the plan if you need one $400 repair. Plus you get priority scheduling during busy seasons. We don't auto-renew or lock you into contracts - it's your choice every year.
Beat the summer rush. April and May appointments available now. By June, you're waiting weeks.