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7 SIGNS YOU NEED AN AC TUNE-UP

How to Tell If Your AC Needs a Tune-Up

Modern, high-quality AC systems are real workhorses. Yours may run and run without too much attention, until, one midsummer day, it stops working.

And you sit there and sweat.

An AC tune-up would likely have prevented that. Regular AC maintenance checks should be on every Florida homeowner’s calendar. They:

  • Extend the life of your unit.
  • Help maintain comfort levels.
  • Prevent costly AC repairs.
  • Keep electric bills manageable.

In this article, you’ll discover the main signs you need an AC tune-up, so that you recognize AC issues early and can call your maintenance professionals out to help you beat the heat.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN SIGNS YOU NEED AN AC TUNE-UP?

An AC technician in a blue uniform connects refrigerant hoses to a Carrier outdoor unit, with a Milwaukee tool case and multimeter on the ground, highlighting signs you need an AC tune-up

The main signs you need an AC tune-up are: 

  • Warm air is blowing.
  • Weak air flow.
  • Strange AC sounds.
  • Strange AC smells.
  • Uneven cooling.
  • Leaking water.
  • Unexplained energy bill increases. 

Many red flags are quite obvious but others are less so. Let’s look in more detail at each sign you need an AC tune-up, and then consider the benefits of scheduling regular AC maintenance checks in Florida.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN SIGNS YOU NEED AN AC TUNE-UP?

If your AC system is acting up, it helps to troubleshoot the issue before you call the pros. A few issues can be fixed by simple DIY maintenance, like changing the HVAC filter.

Otherwise, you’ll need to book a professional tune-up sooner rather than later.

1. THE AC IS BLOWING WARM AIR

We’ve got plenty of warm air in Florida! If it’s coming from your AC, it’s one of the most obvious signs you need a tune-up.

Life indoors quickly becomes uncomfortable, not to mention the wasted electricity.

A sweating middle-aged man in a Florida Gators t-shirt sits in a worn armchair in a living room, with a box fan on the floor and water bottles on the coffee table in front of him

An AC can blow warm air for many reasons, including:

  • Dirty coils.
  • Clogged or old air filters.
  • Electrical issues. 
  • Low refrigerant levels (due to a leak). 

One Way Air checks each of these issues during a standard AC tune-up.

2. COOL AIR FLOW IS WEAK

The air flow from the vents in your central AC system may be cool enough but not strong enough. 

If cool air isn’t consistently reaching all of the right areas of the home, the temperature may become uncomfortable in some rooms.

This causes your AC unit to work harder to cool all rooms, which increases electricity usage and can damage components over time. The underlying problems may also lead to poorer air quality.

A sweating young woman in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers t-shirt and work gloves sits in a brown leather recliner in a living room, with a white box fan on a side table beside her.

Air flow weakness is generally due to:

  • Clogged or dirty AC filters.
  • Leaky ducts.
  • A damaged blower fan.

These issues can be checked and addressed during a standard tune-up.

3. THE AC IS EMITTING STRANGE SOUNDS

Most modern AC units emit a low, barely audible hum or purr. If yours starts making abnormal sounds, it’s a sign that you need an AC tune-up.

Whether it’s a loud buzzing, bangs, rattles, whistles, or hisses, these sounds should not be coming from your AC unit.

A sweating middle-aged woman in a Florida Gators t-shirt sits in a brown leather recliner, holding her hand to her ear while listening to a wall-mounted AC unit with a concerned expression.

Buzzing sounds may result from blocked or partially blocked airflow as the unit tries to push air past the obstruction. Another common cause of strange sounds is if the AC unit’s fan blades are damaged and not revolving properly. 

A potentially more serious problem is if the sounds are coming from the motor. However, a little lubrication during a tune-up may fix the issue.

4. UNUSUAL ODORS 

Unusual smells are another warning sign that your unit needs a tune-up or AC repairs.

Watch out for moldy or musty smells, which can be due to a buildup of fungus or mold within the system.

A sweating middle-aged woman in jeans and a blue t-shirt holds her hand over her nose and mouth with a disgusted look, sitting beside a glass table holding a spray can and glove box.

Air conditioning systems remove moisture from the air. Several common issues can interrupt normal function and create problems with removing the moisture, such as:

  • Wet filters.
  • A clog in the condensate drain line.

This is the leading cause of unusual musty odors from AC units.

Other pungent odors might come from old wire insulation or even trapped and decaying animals within the system: problems that are addressed in standard tune-ups with thorough cleaning.

5. UNEVEN COOLING THROUGHOUT THE ROOMS

If you have central air conditioning installed, like most Florida homes, the cooling should be relatively even across all rooms. 

If some rooms are not cooling as much as others, there could be a problem with your cooling system.

Professional AC installers assess your home’s cooling requirements before the installation, so you install the right size and capacity of equipment. Some rooms:

  • Receive more sunlight.
  • Have non-airtight windows.
  • Suffer from poor insulation around doors.
A male technician in a gray Florida AC Pros shirt writes on floor plan documents at a wooden table while operating a ruggedized tablet, with yellow AC diagnostic equipment and a Florida map in front of him.

Sometimes, people cut corners and get it wrong, causing some rooms to be warmer than others.

An AC professional from One Way Air can assess these problems and help identify potential solutions during a tune-up.

6. LEAKING WATER FROM THE UNIT

Leaking water is one of the most obvious (and alarming) signs that something’s wrong.

The usual cause is:

  • A clogged drain line.
  • A leak in the refrigerant line causing ice to build up (which melts to cause pooling).

AC refrigerant helps remove moisture and cool the air. This process may cause condensation in the home but if water is pooling, check to see if the evaporator coils are frozen and melting. 

A white wall-mounted mini split AC unit leaking water heavily down a cream interior wall, leaving brown water stains below the unit.

If you see water pooling anywhere around your air conditioning system, book an AC tune-up so that the refrigerant issue can be resolved or the drain pipe can be flushed and unclogged.

7. UNEXPLAINED ELECTRIC BILL INCREASES

The cost of air conditioning in Florida is high enough without unnecessarily high electric bills. A neglected AC system can lead to the “hidden cost” of higher electric bills. 

If AC usage and other device usage in the home remain the same but bills go up, it’s time to check the AC. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning can account for more than 40% of your total utility bills in Florida.

A middle-aged woman in a Florida Gators t-shirt and dirty work gloves sits at a table using a knife to open an envelope labeled "ELECTRIC BILL," with a concerned expression on her face.

As an AC unit ages, it may become naturally less efficient but regular tune-ups can extend its life.

Without maintenance, the system must work harder to cool the air, to overcome blockages, restricted air flow, and inefficient parts.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN AN AC TUNE-UP?

Now you know the signs you need an AC tune-up, what will your next tune-up include? What can you expect from your One Way Air AC professional? 

We will conduct a series of 32 checks to ensure your AC is performing at peak. If not, we will flag what needs repairing or replacing.

The following procedures are almost always part of a standard AC tune-up:

  • Cleaning/changing filters: The process will depend on whether your system uses disposable or reusable filters.
  • Condenser inspection: We check the outdoor unit, which is responsible for releasing heat. We will remove the cover, clear debris from the coils, and clean the fan thoroughly. 
  • Refrigerant level check: We will check the AC refrigerant levels. If there is a leak, this must be fixed before adding refrigerant, or the same issue will recur.
A Florida AC Pros technician in a gray uniform and safety glasses crouches next to a Rheem outdoor AC unit, connecting colored refrigerant hoses, with a branded tool bag and pink refrigerant cylinder beside him.
  • Electrical component inspection: If your system overheats or power fluctuations cause the electrics to go out, your AC won’t work. We’ll check the capacitors and contactors for wear and tear. 
  • Fan balance check: If the fan on the blower is not balanced properly, the airflow will be inefficient and the problem can cause wider system inefficiency and damage.
  • Cleaning the drain line/pan: AC systems remove moisture from the air, which collects in the drain lines and pan. We will flush drain lines and empty drain pans during a tune-up to prevent clogging.
  • Lubrication: Adding a little oil to the motor, fans, etc., helps to keep all the moving parts in the AC unit working smoothly.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF REGULAR AC TUNE-UPS?

Regular AC tune-ups are not just recommended so that air conditioning companies can make money! They also save homeowners money. 

A regular AC system check by a professional at least once per year (twice is recommended in high-usage areas like Florida), will:

  • Prolong the life of your air conditioning system.
  • Identify issues before they escalate.
  • Save money on costly AC repairs.
  • Preserve system efficiency (and keep the electric bills down).
  • Provide peace of mind that your system won’t fail in the summer heat.
  • Deliver better indoor air quality by reducing allergens, dust, and pollutants.
  • Help preserve the AC warranty.
A smiling elderly man in a gray polo shirt holds and reads an AC unit warranty document at a wooden table, with a tablet displaying a covered items list and screwdrivers nearby.

RESIDENTIAL SERVICE AGREEMENTS FROM ONE WAY AIR

One Way Air offers annual and semi-annual AC maintenance plans. These help protect your cooling system with regular tune-ups without even thinking about it or having to remember to call.

FAQs

The national average for simple AC tune-ups varies between $75 and $200. An AC tune-up in Florida will generally cost around $100-$150. Replacing refrigerant or repairs (if necessary) will add to the cost.

Ideally, tune up your AC system with an HVAC professional twice per year in Florida: in the spring and fall, before and after the busiest times for AC. One annual tune-up is better than none but the high usage in Florida over much of the year means problems can go unnoticed for many months unless you schedule regular services.

Homeowners can usually look after the following routine maintenance measures but call an HVAC professional for anything more complex:

A technician in a teal shirt uses a red Milwaukee cordless drill on a gray outdoor AC unit displaying an EnergyGuide label, with a yellow Fieldpiece digital manifold gauge and refrigerant hoses connected to the unit.

GET A PROFESSIONAL AC TUNE-UP

A neglected AC unit will let you know at some point!

Book regular maintenance checks with One Way Air to avoid unnecessary problems and costs, and to keep your cooling system running smoothly all year round.

Contact us todayto discuss your next AC tune-up.

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