DFW summer is coming. Your AC is about to work 12-16 hours a day for five straight months in 100-degree heat. A tune-up now catches small problems before they become expensive breakdowns on the hottest day of the year.
But not all tune-ups are created equal. Some techs show up, swap the filter, eyeball the unit, and leave in 20 minutes. That's not a tune-up — that's a waste of your money.
Here's exactly what a real AC tune-up should cover, why each point matters, and how to tell if your tech is cutting corners.
Our 21-Point AC Tune-Up Checklist
This is the same checklist our technicians use on every tune-up we perform in Farmers Branch, Coppell, Irving, Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Grapevine.
Outdoor Unit (Condenser)
1. Refrigerant charge and pressures We connect gauges and measure superheat and subcooling. If the charge is off, the system works harder, runs longer, and costs you more in electricity. If it's low, that means there's a leak — and we never just "top it off." HVAC systems are sealed (hermetic). Low refrigerant means a leak. We find the leak, fix it, then recharge to manufacturer specs. Anyone who just adds refrigerant without fixing the leak is wasting your money.
2. Condenser coil condition Your outdoor coil gets packed with dirt, grass clippings, and cottonwood every season. A dirty condenser coil can increase your energy consumption by 30% because the system can't reject heat efficiently. We inspect and clean as needed.
3. Condenser fan motor amps and operation We measure the motor's amp draw against manufacturer specs. A motor pulling too many amps is on its way out. Catching it here costs you nothing extra. Missing it means a $650-$2,800 (Member: $552.50-$2,380) repair when it fails mid-summer.
4. Contactor condition The contactor is the switch that sends power to your compressor and condenser fan. Pitted or burned contacts cause voltage drops, which overheat your compressor. Contactor replacement: $600 (Member: $510).
5. Capacitor test We use a multimeter to measure microfarads. A capacitor that tests at 10% below rating is failing — even if the system seems to run fine right now. Capacitors are the #1 summer AC failure in DFW. Replacement: $500 (Member: $425).
6. Compressor amps and operation We measure compressor amp draw and compare to the rated load amps (RLA) on the data plate. Elevated amps mean the compressor is working too hard. This is how we catch compressor problems months before they become a $3,500-$5,000 (Member: $2,975-$4,250) failure.
7. Electrical connections and wiring Loose connections cause arcing, overheating, and can trip breakers or damage components. We tighten all terminals and inspect wiring for damage.
8. Disconnect box and whip We check the disconnect for corrosion, proper fuse sizing, and secure wiring. In DFW's heat and humidity, disconnect boxes corrode from the inside out.
Indoor Unit (Air Handler / Furnace)
9. Evaporator coil inspection A dirty evaporator coil reduces airflow and cooling capacity. It also creates moisture buildup that leads to mold — and DFW's humidity makes this a real problem. Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium can colonize a wet coil in 24-48 hours.
10. Blower motor amps and operation Same as the condenser fan — we measure amp draw against specs. A failing blower motor causes weak airflow, hot spots in your home, and eventually a complete shutdown. Replacement: $750-$1,500 (Member: $637.50-$1,275) for standard motors, up to $2,800 (Member: $2,380) for ECM/variable speed.
11. Blower wheel condition A dirty blower wheel is like running with a backpack on. It reduces airflow 20-30%, makes the motor work harder, and shortens its lifespan. We inspect for dirt buildup and balance.
12. Drain line and condensate pan DFW's humidity means your AC produces gallons of condensation daily. A clogged drain line causes water to back up into the drain pan and overflow — damaging drywall, ceilings, and flooring. Drain line clearing: $350 (Member: $297.50). We check both the primary and secondary drain.
13. Air filter inspection A clogged filter is the single easiest problem to prevent — and the most common one we see. We check the filter condition, size, and MERV rating. We'll tell you what filter to use and how often to change it for your specific system.
14. Safety controls We test the high-pressure switch, low-pressure switch, and overflow float switch. These protect your system from damage. If they're not working, your system has no safety net.
System Performance
15. Thermostat calibration and operation If your Frosty Thermostat or existing thermostat reads 72 but your house feels like 78, it needs recalibration. We verify the temperature reading, test all modes (cool, heat, fan, auto), and check the schedule programming.
16. Temperature split (supply vs return) We measure the temperature difference between the air going into the system (return) and the air coming out (supply). A healthy system produces a 15-20 degree split. Less than that means something is wrong — low charge, dirty coils, or restricted airflow.
17. Static pressure This is the "blood pressure" of your duct system. High static pressure means restricted airflow — collapsed flex duct, undersized returns, or dirty filters. It forces every component to work harder and die sooner.
18. Ductwork inspection (visible connections) We inspect accessible ductwork connections for leaks, damage, and disconnections. In DFW's attic heat (140-160 degrees in summer), duct tape fails and flex duct sags. Most pre-2000 homes lose 20-30% of their conditioned air through duct leaks.
19. Voltage and amp readings at the breaker We verify proper voltage at the disconnect and breaker. Low voltage damages compressors and motors. We also check for tripped or weak breakers.
20. Overall system operation and cycling We run the system through a full cooling cycle and monitor startup, operation, and shutdown. We're listening for unusual noises, watching for abnormal pressures, and timing the cycle length.
21. Written report and recommendations When we're done, you get a report showing what we found, what's fine, what needs attention now, and what to watch for later. No surprises.
Basic Tune-Up vs Super Tune-Up
| | Basic Tune-Up | Super Tune-Up | |---|---|---| | Price | $150 (Member: $127.50) | $1,300 (Member: $1,105) | | 21-point inspection | Yes | Yes | | Filter check | Yes | Yes | | Thermostat calibration | Yes | Yes | | Deep condenser coil cleaning | No | Yes | | Evaporator coil cleaning | No | Yes | | Drain line flush | No | Yes | | Electrical tightening | Basic check | Full tightening | | Before/after performance data | No | Yes |
The basic tune-up is right for most homeowners doing annual maintenance on a system that's running well. The super tune-up is what we recommend for systems that haven't been serviced in 2+ years, systems over 10 years old, or homeowners who want maximum efficiency heading into summer.
How to Tell If Your Tech Is Cutting Corners
A real tune-up takes 45-90 minutes depending on the system. If your tech is done in 20 minutes, they skipped most of the checklist. Here's what separates a real inspection from a drive-by:
Red flags:
- Tech doesn't connect gauges to check refrigerant pressures
- No multimeter used to test capacitor or measure amp draws
- Filter swapped without checking anything else
- No written report at the end
- Done in under 30 minutes
- Tech recommends a full system replacement after a 10-minute look
Green flags:
- Gauges connected, readings documented
- Capacitor tested with a meter (not just looked at)
- Temperature split measured
- Drain line checked and cleared if needed
- Written findings with photos shared
When to Schedule Your Tune-Up
The best time is March through early May — before DFW's summer heat arrives and before every HVAC company in the metroplex is booked solid with emergency repairs.
Once it hits 100 degrees in June, we're running emergency calls all day. Response times go from 24 hours to 3-5 days. A tune-up that takes 60 minutes in April becomes a week-long wait in July.
Frosty Club Premium members ($300/yr) get 2 tune-ups per year included — spring AC and fall heating — plus priority scheduling that moves you to the front of the line even during peak season. Learn more about Frosty Club.
Schedule Your Tune-Up Now
DFW summer is around the corner. A $150 tune-up now prevents a $500-$5,000 emergency repair in July.
Call (469) 254-0548 or request service online.
We serve homeowners in Farmers Branch, Coppell, Irving, Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Grapevine.
Save on maintenance and repairs: Join Frosty Club — Basic ($99/yr) saves 10% on everything, Premium ($300/yr) includes 2 free tune-ups worth $300.
Thinking about a new system? Try our AC Replacement Cost Calculator to see real pricing. Systems range from $8,000-$20,000+.
Written by Omar Jacobo, EPA 608 Universal Certified Lead Technician at Frosty's HVAC LLC. Family-owned since 2018, 94 Google reviews at 4.9 stars, Texas License TACLA126718E. Serving DFW homeowners with flat-rate pricing and no surprises.