HVAC tune-up, routed to a licensed local contractor
An HVAC tune-up from a licensed local contractor is available by calling (888) 810-2291 — a standard tune-up runs $65–$200 and is a clean, inspect, and test of your system. Calling is free.
Same-day and 24/7 service is subject to provider participation, location, and technician availability.
The tune-up checklist
Tasks vary by contractor, but a standard clean-and-check covers these eleven:
- Replace or check the air filter
- Inspect ductwork for leaks or blockages
- Lubricate motors and moving parts
- Calibrate or check the thermostat
- Clean the evaporator and condenser coils
- Inspect and clear the condensate drain line
- Check and adjust refrigerant levels
- Inspect and tighten electrical connections
- Clean and measure the blower motor's amperage
- Test the run capacitor
- Test safety switches and system controls
Most contractors finish with a written summary of what they inspected, tested, and recommend.
What a tune-up doesn't cover
A tune-up is an inspection and cleaning — not a repair. These are separate services with their own cost:
- Replacing failed parts a tune-up uncovers.
- A full refrigerant recharge beyond a small top-off — that usually means a leak, priced separately.
- Duct cleaning.
If a tune-up turns up a fault, the fix is quoted separately — costs are on AC repair cost and furnace repair cost. Ask what's included before you book.
Spring, fall, and what you get for it
When to book
An AC tune-up in spring, before summer; a furnace or heat-pump tune-up in fall, before winter. An AC tune-up covers the cooling side; a whole-system HVAC tune-up covers the heating side too, depending on the season.
What it buys
Catching small faults early, lower running costs from clean coils and a correct charge, a longer system life, and — often — the documentation a manufacturer warranty requires.
Tune-up cost, at a glance
A standard tune-up runs $65–$200, according to both Carrier and This Old House. Central-air systems sit at the higher end because they take longer to service than a ductless mini split. Whether a repeat-visit maintenance plan is worth it is a separate question — we cover it honestly on maintenance plans.
Coverage across the United States
State and city pages are rolling out. Until yours is live, one call to (888) 810-2291 connects you to a licensed local contractor anywhere in the U.S.
Questions homeowners ask first
How much does an HVAC tune-up cost?
A tune-up runs $65–$200, according to both Carrier and This Old House. Central-air systems sit toward the higher end because they take more time to service than a ductless mini split, and location and the contractor's rates move the number too.
What does a tune-up include?
A standard clean-and-check covers cleaning the coils, clearing the condensate drain, checking refrigerant, testing the capacitor and electrical connections, calibrating the thermostat, and replacing the filter — eleven tasks in all. Most contractors leave a written summary of what they checked and found.
What isn't included in a tune-up?
A tune-up is an inspection and cleaning, not a repair. Replacing failed parts, a full refrigerant recharge beyond a small top-off, and duct cleaning are separate services with their own cost. If a tune-up turns up a fault, the fix is quoted separately — ask what's included before you book.
How often should I get a tune-up?
Once a year per system: an AC tune-up in spring before summer, and a furnace or heat-pump tune-up in fall before winter. A whole HVAC system means two visits a year.
Does a tune-up keep my warranty valid?
Often, yes. Many manufacturers require documented annual professional maintenance to honor the parts warranty, so keep the written summary from each visit as proof.
One call routes you to a licensed local contractor: (888) 810-2291.