What Does Central AC Maintenance Cost?
Learn what’s included in professional air conditioning maintenance, what a home AC tune-up costs, and how a maintenance contract can simplify your life.
By Anne Fonda
We get it. The cost of living seems to just keep increasing, and your income may have a hard time keeping up. You’re looking for ways to save money and wondering if you should just skip professional AC maintenance because of the cost.
We’re biased, but we would advise every homeowner to invest the money in annual air conditioning maintenance. The benefits are worth the nominal cost. Failure to maintain your cooling system can lead to more frequent repairs, early wear and tear, and early failure.
Keep reading to learn more about professional AC maintenance services.
Air conditioner maintenance cost factors
Not every HVAC company is going to charge the same thing for yearly air conditioner maintenance. But in general, you can expect an annual air conditioner maintenance visit to cost between $120-$350.
Variables can include:
- What the AC tune-up includes
- Your location
- How competitive the market is
- The size and accessibility of your system
- Local labor costs
- If you already have a maintenance agreement
Larger HVAC companies may charge more because they have higher overhead costs. You may face a higher charge because of local labor costs as well. Companies need to pay well enough to keep the most experienced and certified HVAC technicians on staff.
What’s included in an AC tune-up?
It’s important to note that while we refer to it as AC maintenance, the HVAC technician who comes to your home will evaluate and provide maintenance of your AC system as a whole – not just the outdoor AC unit. Before you hire an HVAC company to do your annual AC system maintenance, ask to see a list of what’s included. It may be on their website.
According to ENERGY STAR®’s maintenance checklist, annual AC maintenance should include:
- Checking the thermostat for accurate function and settings
- Tightening all electrical connections
- Measuring voltage and amps
- Lubricating all moving parts
- Inspecting and cleaning the AC condensate drain line and drain pan as needed
- Checking system controls
- Cleaning the outdoor condenser coil and indoor evaporator coil as needed
- Checking the refrigerant level and performing an AC recharge as needed after trying to locate a refrigerant leak
- Cleaning and adjusting the blower
- Changing the filter if needed
Some companies may charge extra to clean the coils, and any parts replacement will cost extra.
Some companies may advertise a bargain basement price for an AC tune-up, but then they make a quick inspection and don’t clean, lubricate, or test anything. Or, they may advertise a low price to get in the door and then tell you that you need expensive AC repairs.
Be sure to research an HVAC company before inviting them into your home.
The benefits of annual air conditioner maintenance
Have you ever noticed that your car or truck handles differently after you get new tires, or the tires rotated? Or how you can stop more quickly after getting your brake pads replaced? Or that your fuel economy improves after getting an overdue oil change?
In general, we pay more attention to maintaining our cars than maintaining our central air conditioning system. But just like you can benefit from taking care of your vehicle, you can benefit from taking care of your home’s central AC system.
By scheduling yearly air conditioning system maintenance, you’ll reap some benefits that are worth every penny. They include:
- Enhanced system performance
- Safe operation
- Improved energy efficiency
- Potentially lower utility bills
- Enhanced comfort and humidity control
- The HVAC technician can catch small issues before they become big problems
As a homeowner, you can stay on top of air filter maintenance as well as keep the outdoor unit clear of debris and encroaching shrubbery. But leave the annual AC tune-up to the professionals.
Schedule AC maintenance now
Whether you schedule annual AC maintenance like clockwork every spring, or you’re a new homeowner and don’t know when your unit was last serviced, your local Trane dealer can help ensure your central air conditioning system is running at peak performance. If you don’t have a favorite HVAC company, learn how to choose the right HVAC contractor.
For maximum convenience, consider signing up for an HVAC maintenance plan – the company will contact you in the fall to do a furnace tune-up or heat pump maintenance. Service plans sometimes also include discounts on parts if you need HVAC repairs. In addition, some maintenance contracts send you to the front of the line for service in times of high need such as a heat wave or winter storm.
Like finding a good mechanic, finding a trusted HVAC company is critical to your system’s well-being and your peace of mind.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Kimberly Sexton, Senior Systems Engineer
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