Seasonal HVAC Checkup

Nashville cooling season typically runs from May through September, with your air conditioning running almost continuously during the peak summer months of June through August. The spring checkup prepares your cooling system for this extended period of heavy use. Our spring inspection begins outdoors at the condenser unit. After sitting idle through winter, the condenser may have accumulated leaves, twigs, seed pods, and other debris. We clean the condenser coil, which is critical for heat rejection efficiency. A dirty condenser coil forces the compressor to work against higher pressures, increasing energy consumption and stress on the system.

We inspect the refrigerant lines for damage from winter weather, falling branches, or animal activity. We check the condenser fan blade for cracks or damage and test the fan motor for proper operation. We verify the condenser pad is level, as settling over winter can cause the unit to lean. Moving indoors, we inspect the evaporator coil for dirt and biological growth that accumulated during heating season when the coil sat dormant. A dormant, damp evaporator coil is an ideal environment for mold growth. We flush the condensate drain line, which can develop algae and slime blockages during the off-season.

A clogged drain during summer can cause water to overflow the pan and damage your ceiling, walls, or flooring. We test the cooling system by measuring refrigerant pressures, supply and return air temperatures, and comparing performance to manufacturer specifications. This baseline measurement helps us identify systems that are operating below par before the homeowner experiences a problem.

Our seasonal checkup follows a comprehensive checklist that covers every system component relevant to the upcoming season. The thermostat section verifies calibration accuracy, proper mode operation, schedule programming, battery condition, and wiring integrity. The electrical section covers circuit breaker connections, contactor condition, capacitor testing, wire condition and connections, amperage measurements on all motors, and voltage verification. The airflow section includes filter inspection and replacement, blower motor and wheel condition, ductwork visual inspection, supply and return register check, and temperature differential measurement.

The refrigerant section covers pressure measurement on both high and low sides, superheat and subcooling calculations, line set inspection for damage and insulation, and service valve condition. The outdoor unit section includes coil cleaning, fan motor and blade inspection, base pad and clearance check, disconnect and wiring condition, and overall unit condition assessment. The safety section, specific to gas heating, covers heat exchanger inspection, combustion analysis, gas leak detection, safety control testing, flue and venting inspection, and carbon monoxide measurement. After completing the checklist, we provide a written summary of our findings, including any immediate concerns, items to monitor, and recommendations for improving system performance or efficiency.

This documentation also serves as proof of professional maintenance for warranty purposes.

Seasonal checkups are most effective when performed 2 to 4 weeks before the start of the heating or cooling season. For Nashville, this means scheduling your spring cooling checkup in March or April and your fall heating checkup in September or October. This timing allows for any needed repairs or parts orders to be completed before peak season demand. A single seasonal checkup typically costs $89 to $129, which is comparable to our standard tune-up pricing. Many customers opt for both the spring and fall checkup, which we offer at a discounted combined rate. Our maintenance plan customers receive both seasonal checkups as part of their plan benefit, along with priority scheduling and repair discounts.

Priority scheduling is an underappreciated benefit during peak seasons. When the first 95-degree day arrives and HVAC companies across Nashville are swamped with emergency calls, our maintenance plan customers move to the front of the scheduling queue. This means faster response times if a problem does develop and preferred time slots for scheduled work. To schedule your seasonal checkup, call our office or request an appointment online. We will coordinate a time that works for your schedule, and the entire visit typically takes about one hour. Our technicians will walk you through their findings and answer any questions about your system condition and performance.