Do You Need a HVAC Tune-Up in Sacramento & Rancho Cordova?

What is a Tune-Up?

An HVAC tune-up is typically done at strategic times of the year. The AC tune-up is done in the spring and summer, while the furnace tune-up is done in the fall and winter.

It’s a thorough cleaning and testing of the air conditioning or heater to ensure that it’ll work when we need it to. We operate with the understanding that a clean system will run longer than a dirty system.

Not every HVAC company in town performs air conditioning tune-ups. I would say it’s because they feel they’re not very good money generators for them. I get it. Wiping down air conditioners and testing parts isn’t very exciting for some. But I don’t think they understand the opportunity to create a relationship with someone and their HVAC system.

I like to develop relationships with my customers by taking care of their HVAC system every year. If we can perform those tune-ups for years and years, I know my customers will, at the very least, allow us to leave them a quote for a new system when that time comes someday. At the same time, our customers get to work with Sacramento’s most honest air conditioning company.

On those tune-ups, our technicians will only bring up parts or repairs that will make your system return to factory standards, help it last longer, or make it safer for your family.

What Will Happen?

When we are on the way, our technician will call you and let you know they are on the way. We park on the street in our white vans with the Fox Family logo.

We usually start at the air filter and thermostat after you open the door and allow us to come in. We like to ask if any areas of the house need any attention. Like, do any rooms not get the right amount of air? Does it cool the home down to their satisfaction in the middle of summer? Questions like this can establish how you like your system to run. Because not every homeowner is the same, right?

Once we know what’s going on in the homeowner’s mind, we will turn the system on together, at the thermostat, listen for the air to come on, and if it’s an AC tune-up, walk outside to make sure everything out there is running. Now we all know the system was running when we got there! From here, you’ll be able to sit back and do whatever you need to do while the technician goes out and runs through a list specifically designed for your type of system.

We usually move to the air handler in the attic, garage, or closet on the AC tune-up. As a responsible business owner, I need my techs to quickly get in and out of the attic in the summertime for their safety. It’s hard to force a tech to spend time cleaning a furnace or air handler in a hot attic. Still, the furnace gets physically cleaned during the furnace tune-up, not the AC tune-up. However, there are some critical things to check here, so we try to get in and get out effectively but safely.

Next, we go out to the AC and finish with the tune-up. This involves checking all the parts and cleaning the unit as well. All in all, it’s about a 40-point checklist.

On gas furnace tune-ups, we don’t need to go outside to the AC unit. Instead, we devote our time checking about 40 items on our list and ensuring that the furnace system is running safely and as it should.
After we check the entire AC or heating system, if any parts need to be changed out, we’ll let you know about them. We’ll offer to replace them for you here and adjust our tune-up form to reflect the upgrades. Or, if you decline the suggestions, we’ll note that on the form.

When we are done, we will email you a copy of the electronic checklist we filled out as we went along. We’ll keep a copy of your unit information like the model number, serial number, system size, age, and brand. That way, if you need anything in the future, we have photos and details of your system if you need them.

What’s the Benefit of a Tune-Up?

When the tune-up is complete, you should have peace of mind knowing that your system is in tip-top shape. Doing this every year will really pay off in the later years of your HVAC system life.

Does it prevent parts from failing later in the year? Or even a month later? No, unfortunately, it won’t. Parts fail, which can be frustrating, especially after we have just been out there doing your tune-up. Just keep in mind your car can do the same thing after you just took it in for an oil change.

Today’s parts last about five to ten years. Remember, the goal is to keep your HVAC system running for many years. Think about it in terms of the long run. A low-end repair now can prevent a colossal repair later. If you’re ever unsatisfied with the tune-up we provided for you, or even the part we used for any recommendations, we’ll make it right for you.