When’s the last time you had your air conditioning tuned up or maintained by an HVAC technician? If it’s been more than a year, or worse, you’ve never had it done, then you almost certainly are overdue for a professional once-over of your system. Confused about what we’re discussing? Don’t worry!

Today, we’ll talk about the ins and outs of AC tune-ups, starting with what an AC tune-up even is, why you’d need one, when you need them, and what else you can be doing to keep your air conditioner working in peak condition.

A tune-up of your air conditioning, also referred to as annual maintenance or professional maintenance (to distinguish it from the minor maintenance homeowners perform themselves), is the process of cleaning, inspecting, repairing, and tweaking your air conditioner’s internal and external components to minimize the impact of annual wear and tear.

Like any complex machine with moving parts and electrical components, your air conditioner degrades over time as it operates; friction, heat, the movement of fluid — these things add up over a year of air conditioner use. Tune-ups are an intended part of your air conditioner’s life, with most manufacturers recommending them annually or even more often with heavier use. An AC tune-up works to restore your air conditioner to something closer to its brand-new state, which means you’ll see:

The inspections and tunings involved also create a great opportunity for your technician to spot any problems your system may be developing and offer solutions before you face a breakdown and need to pay for costly repairs.

You can think of your typical maintenance visit as including three general components:

Your technician may also check ductwork, your thermostat, and other relevant systems that affect the performance of your air conditioner throughout the year.

Tune-ups are most frequently performed before the hot part of the year comes around, as that’s the time of year when you’ll benefit the most from peak performance, peak efficiency, and a minimized risk of breakdowns. If you use your air conditioner heavily throughout the year, however, you might need more frequent maintenance. If you have a heat pump instead of a traditional air conditioner and use it for heat in the winter, you definitely need maintenance more often.

You might also consider maintenance any time something seems off about your AC but doesn’t quite rise to the level of being certain you need repairs. Small problems will disappear with maintenance in many cases, and the process will reveal any bigger problems you may have.

Now that you know the basics of air conditioner tune-ups, you’re probably thinking it’s about time you have someone by for maintenance. The team at The Witmer Company will gladly provide exceptional AC tune-up services in the New Holland or Lancaster areas.

To learn more about our options for AC maintenance, reach out to The Witmer Company by dialing 717-288-7163 or by contacting us online .