AC Servicing Guide: How Often to Maintain Your System in Houston

Living through a Houston summer without a functioning air conditioning system can be brutal. With average highs in the 90s from June through September, AC is a household essential. But even the best AC systems require regular maintenance and servicing to keep your home cool and comfortable.

Knowing when to schedule preventative maintenance on your AC can save you from getting stuck with emergency repair costs down the line. It also ensures your system runs as efficiently as possible, helping lower electricity bills. This AC servicing guide covers everything Houston homeowners need to know about maintaining AC systems in this climate.

How Does Your AC System Work?

Before diving into suggested maintenance schedules, it helps to understand what€™s happening inside your AC equipment. A basic central air conditioning system has three main components:

• The condenser unit outside your home which includes the compressor and condensing coil.
• An air handler unit inside containing the evaporator coil and blower fan.
• A series of ductwork running throughout your home to circulate cooled air.

On hot days, the compressor in your outdoor condenser pressurizes refrigerant gas which is pushed into the condensing coil. As it passes through the coil, the gas condenses into a liquid state while releasing heat outside.

The liquid refrigerant then passes through an expansion device and enters the evaporator coil in your air handler. As it evaporates back into a gas, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air being pushed over the coil by the blower fan.

This cooled air is then circulated through your home’s ductwork, lowering temperatures in each room. The gas refrigerant returns to the compressor to repeat the cycle.

Houston’s Climate Puts Extra Strain on AC Systems

Maintaining this cooling cycle requires extra diligence in Houston. Our long, humid summers put a lot of wear and tear on AC components. The average high temperature from June through September ranges between 91°F to 95°F. Combined with humidity levels frequently above 60%, this hot and muggy climate forces local AC systems to run almost nonstop. All of this runtime leads to faster breakdowns of key parts like compressors, evaporator coils, capacitors, and fan motors. Dirt buildup on coils and filters also reduces efficiency over time, making your system work harder to maintain desired temperatures.

Preventative maintenance helps minimize expensive repairs and keeps energy costs in check. But when is the optimal time to schedule AC servicing in Houston?

Spring: Inspect and Prepare for Summer

The ideal time for your system’s first seasonal checkup is in early spring, before temperatures start rising. This allows technicians to proactively spot potential problems and make any needed repairs before you rely on AC daily.

Key maintenance tasks in spring include:

• Thorough cleaning of condenser and evaporator coils – Use a commercial coil cleaner and high-pressure hose to remove built-up dirt, dust and debris. Clean coils maximize airflow and heat transfer.
• Check refrigerant levels – Low refrigerant reduces cooling capacity. Technicians should top it off and check for leaks.
• Inspect electrical components – Check capacitors, contactors, wiring and connections. Replace worn parts.
• Check ductwork – Ensure ducts are properly sealed. Repair leaks and insulation damage.
• Replace air filter – A clean filter prevents dirt buildup on evaporator coils.
• Check drainage – Clear debris from drain lines to prevent mold and moisture damage.
• Lubricate moving parts – Put a fresh coat of lubricant on fan motors and bearings.
• Check thermostat calibration – Confirm it maintains the proper temperature.

Thorough spring maintenance helps ensure your AC survives Houston€™s brutal summer ahead. Schedule service in March or April before the heat arrives.

Early Summer: Tune Up for Peak Performance

Once outdoor temperatures climb above 80°F daily, your AC system faces its toughest test of the year. Now is the time for a comprehensive tune-up to maximize performance and efficiency.

Key tasks for early summer maintenance include:

• Inspect refrigerant levels again – Top off if low to optimize cooling capacity. Check for leaks.
• Measure duct static pressure – Ensure air is flowing properly through ducts.
• Check blower components – Clean blower housing, motors, belts, pulleys and bearings.
• Clean evaporator coil – Remove any new dust and dirt buildup.
• Check electrical connections – Tighten any loose wires or corroded contacts.
• Lubricate moving parts – Reapply fresh lubricant on motors and bearings.
• Replace air filter – Maximize airflow across evaporator coil.
• Inspect condenser fins – Use fin comb to straighten any bent fins.

Early summer maintenance ensures your AC is performing at its best for the hottest stretch of Houston€™s summer. Schedule service in May or early June.

Mid Summer: Keep Your Cool

Once peak summer hits, AC systems run for long hours each day in Houston€™s heat. Continuous operation under strain can cause new issues to develop with compressors, capacitors, evaporator coils and other components.

It€™s a good idea to schedule a quick maintenance visit in mid-summer, typically July or August. Key tasks include:

• Check refrigerant level – Top off if low to maintain cooling capacity.
• Inspect electrical components – Look for signs of wear on capacitors, contactors, etc.
• Clean or replace air filter – Dirty filters reduce system airflow.
• Check thermostat – Confirm it’s accurately controlling your home’s temperature.
• Inspect ductwork – Verify all connections are still sealed properly.
• Check for refrigerant leaks – Spotting and repairing leaks now prevents bigger issues later.
• Clean debris from condenser unit – Remove grass clippings, leaves, dirt, etc.

Mid-summer maintenance helps sustain your AC through the hottest weeks of the year. Be proactive to keep costly breakdowns at bay.

Early Fall: Prepare for Off-Season

As temperatures and humidity finally drop in October, it€™s time to get your AC system ready for the off-season. Technicians can:

• Check refrigerant level – Top off to compensate for any small leaks.
• Test capacitor – Replace if weakening and unable to hold full charge.
• Inspect contactor contacts – Replace if pitted or worn.
• Lubricate moving parts – Reapply fresh lubricant on motors and bearings.
• Check thermostat – Recalibrate for cooler weather if necessary.
• Inspect ductwork – Repair any new leaks before off-season.
• Clean evaporator coil if needed – Remove any new dust and debris buildup.

Proper off-season preparation minimizes issues when restarting your system next spring. Schedule early fall maintenance in September or October.

Emergency Repairs: Don’t Wait Until It€™s Too Late

While regular maintenance is ideal, unexpected AC breakdowns can still happen, especially with older systems. Warning signs of an emergency issue include:

• Failure to turn on when set to cooling mode
• Blowing warm air or unable to lower home temperature
• Strange smells or loud noises from the unit
• Frost buildup on refrigerant lines
• Water leaking from the indoor unit
• Tripping electrical breakers

Don€™t ignore these red flags. Call a technician immediately to diagnose the specific problem and recommend repairs. The longer you wait, the more likely additional damage will occur. Getting key components like the compressor fixed quickly reduces costlier repairs down the road.

In a worst-case scenario where your system can’t be repaired, emergency installation of a replacement unit may be required to restore cooling. Avoid finding yourself in that bind by being diligent about maintenance.

Maintenance Plans: Protection for Your Biggest Investment

Given Houston€™s climate, a residential AC system is easily one of your home’s most important investments. Protect that investment through regular maintenance. But trying to remember multiple annual service appointments is difficult. Many homeowners opt for a maintenance protection plan from their AC company instead. These plans provide scheduled visits at optimal times based on your specific equipment. Technicians thoroughly inspect, tune up, and service your entire system. Most plans also include significant discounts on repairs and emergency breakdown service.

Maintenance plans provide peace of mind that your AC will be ready when you need it most. Choose a plan that fits your budget and needs.

Schedule Service with Turbo Home Services Today

Don’t leave your home’s comfort up to chance during Houston’s long summers. Keep your air conditioner running efficiently with regular maintenance from Turbo Home Services.

Our NATE-certified technicians have the advanced training, diagnostic tools, and experience to keep your AC system operating at peak performance. Let us handle all your maintenance and repairs.

Call (281) 626-5938 or visit https://turbohomeservices.com/contact-us/ to schedule comprehensive AC maintenance and protection for your home. Beat the heat in Houston this summer and for many years to come.