Maintenance
AC tune-up and coil cleaning
Dust, cottonwood fluff and dry-season grit pack into an outdoor coil faster here than in milder places. A spring tune-up clears it out and catches worn parts before the long hot months.
Why a dirty coil matters
The outdoor coil is where the system dumps the heat it pulled out of the house. When its fins are matted with dust and debris, the heat cannot leave. Pressures climb, the compressor works harder, and the system cools less while using more electricity.
Washing the coil from the inside out, with the power off and the fan top lifted, is the core of most tune-ups. Straightening bent fins helps air pass through again.
What a tune-up usually includes
The exact list varies between contractors, so ask what is covered. A typical visit includes:
- Washing the outdoor coil and clearing leaves and weeds around the unit
- Testing the capacitor, contactor and wiring connections
- Checking refrigerant pressures and temperature split
- Flushing the condensate drain and checking the safety float switch
- Looking at the indoor coil and blower wheel for dust buildup
- Changing or advising on the filter
Between visits
Change or clean the filter on the schedule the manufacturer gives, more often during dusty spells or if pets live in the house. Keep shrubs, oleanders and stored items a couple of feet from the outdoor unit so air can move through it.
Hosing the outdoor coil gently from outside can help between professional cleanings. Turn the power off at the disconnect first, and never use a pressure washer, which flattens the fins.
Timing
Spring, before the first run of 90-degree days, is the usual time. Schedules fill once the heat arrives, and a part that is about to fail is easier to replace before the system is running all day.
Common questions
Is a tune-up the same as a repair visit?
No. A tune-up is routine cleaning and testing. If it turns up a failing part, the contractor should give you a separate price for the repair.
Does the furnace need a check too?
Many owners have the furnace looked at in the fall. The furnace page lists what tends to fail.
Talk it over with a contractor
Say what the system is doing and where the house is. You will be speaking with an independent HVAC contractor who works in Bakersfield and the towns around it.