AC / heating tune-up
Seasonal inspection + tune-up of one AC or heating system
Sample pricing — illustrative only, not an offer.
An HVAC pro runs a real, multi-point tune-up on one AC or heating system — measured readings, not a 15-minute spray-and-go — so it runs efficiently and reliably through the season. Book it in spring for cooling and fall for heating; it's the seasonal service the Home Care plan bundles.
What's included
- 45–90 minutes on a single system — a real tune-up, published up front, not a 15-minute 'tune-up'
- Condensate drain line flushed and the float switch tested — the #1 Houston AC failure in our humidity
- Outdoor condenser coil cleaned, and the indoor evaporator coil cleaned where accessible
- Refrigerant charge actually measured (pressures, superheat/subcool) — not eyeballed
- Capacitor tested under load with the microfarad reading recorded; contactor, wiring, and connections inspected and tightened
- Blower and fan-motor amp draws measured, thermostat calibrated, and a full cycle run with the temperature split recorded
- Air filter checked or replaced
- A written report with the actual measured readings, stored to the system's service history — the maintenance record manufacturers can require for a warranty claim
- Not included: new parts, refrigerant recharge, or repairs (separate, approved work)
What to expect
Typical time on site: about 45–90 min
- The pro inspects the system inside and at the unit (a tune-up usually takes 45–90 minutes)
- They flush the condensate drain, test the float switch, and clean the coils where accessible
- They measure the refrigerant charge, test the capacitor under load, and check the electrical connections
- They run a full cycle, record the readings, and leave a written report on the system's condition
- If they find a failing part, that's a photographed change order you approve in the app before any repair
Good to know
- A spring tune-up before Houston's heat is the best way to avoid a mid-July no-cooling emergency — a weakening capacitor gets caught under load before the heat kills it
- Book February–March for the best slots; systems 8+ years old genuinely benefit from twice a year — spring cooling and fall heating
- The published checklist and measured readings are the antidote to the '$29 tune-up that finds a problem' — if everything checks out, the report says so and the visit is done
- CenterPoint's CoolSaver offers a real free basic tune-up (single-family, once per 5 years) — worth using; a paid visit adds the heating check, drain treatment, written readings, and stored records
- Coil cleaning and the drain flush are part of the visit; refrigerant is different — low charge means a leak, so a good pro finds it rather than topping off by the pound
- Change your own filter every 1–3 months — it's the cheapest thing you can do for efficiency
- If the system already isn't cooling or heating, book the repair visit instead — a tune-up is maintenance, not a fix
- The Home Care plan bundles seasonal tune-ups so cooling and heating both get looked at each year
Price range explained
You're toward the low end for a single, accessible system in good shape and toward the high end for a rooftop or attic unit, a heat-and-cool check, or harder access. The pre-visit number is a published range confirmed on arrival, and any part or repair is a separate change order you approve in the app first.
Match a lower written quote
Got a lower WRITTEN quote from another licensed plumber for the same job? Upload a photo of it and we'll match the price.
Your plumber absorbs this — they keep 100% of the matched rate (Plumbr's fee is unchanged) and can dispute it after the job.
Match a competitor's quotePreview only — this does not book a real visit, and nobody is dispatched.