Is Your AC Ready for a Louisiana Summer? Here’s What a Tune-Up Actually Includes

By Scott Gieseler · Published April 17, 2026 · Updated October 12, 2026

An AC tune-up checks the coils, refrigerant charge, electrical components, drain, airflow, filter, thermostat, and overall operation. In South Louisiana, arranging professional service before the cooling season can help identify maintenance needs and developing problems. Confirm the work included in your quote; a tune-up cannot prevent every breakdown.

At Tegridy Air, we get a lot of questions about what a tune-up actually involves. Here’s a straight breakdown of what we check, why it matters, and what you can do on your own to keep your system running strong all summer.

What’s Included in a Professional AC Tune-Up

1. Inspect and Clean the Condenser Coils

Dirty condenser coils can reduce cooling performance and increase energy use. Over time, dust, dirt, grime — and in Louisiana, vines and vegetation — build up on the outdoor unit and act as insulation, forcing your system to work harder to move the same amount of heat. We clean the outdoor condenser coils as appropriate for the equipment to support heat transfer and airflow.

Before: Condenser completely overgrown

After: Cleared, cleaned, and ready for summer

2. Inspect Evaporator Coils and Recommend Cleaning if Needed

During every tune-up, we open up the air handler and visually inspect the evaporator coils for dirt buildup, visible contamination, or airflow restrictions. A dirty evaporator coil can reduce cooling capacity, restrict airflow, and contribute to freezing. Visible buildup needs assessment; appearance alone does not confirm mold.

If the coils need cleaning, we’ll show you exactly what we’re seeing and give you a straight recommendation — no pressure. Ask which coil inspection or cleaning work is included in your quoted tune-up, and which work is separately quoted.

Dust-coated evaporator coil fins — restricts airflow and cooling

Indoor coil inspection — we check both sides for buildup

3. Check Refrigerant Charge and Investigate Problems

Low refrigerant can reduce cooling and may indicate a leak or an incorrect charge. Refrigerant is not normally used up during operation. We check operation against manufacturer specifications and explain any recommended leak testing or repairs; adding refrigerant alone does not fix a leak.

4. Inspect Electrical Components and Connections

Loose or corroded electrical connections are a fire hazard and can cause the system to fail without warning. We inspect wiring, tighten connections, and check voltage and amperage on all motors and components.

5. Test and Lubricate Moving Parts

Moving parts are checked for wear and lubricated only where the manufacturer specifies. Some motors have permanently lubricated bearings and should not be oiled.

6. Check the Capacitors

Capacitors help certain motors start or run, depending on the equipment design. A weak or failing capacitor is one possible cause when an AC hums but will not start; other faults can cause similar symptoms. We test capacitors and replace any that are out of spec before they fail completely.

7. Inspect and Clear the Drain Line

In Louisiana’s humidity, your AC pulls a huge amount of moisture out of the air — and all that water has to go somewhere. A clogged condensate drain line can cause water damage to your home and trigger the safety shutoff, leaving you without AC. We flush and clear the drain line and check the float switch.

8. Check Airflow and Duct Condition

Poor airflow can involve filters, ducts, blower operation, or other equipment conditions. We check static pressure and inspect accessible ductwork for leaks, disconnections, or blockages. Leaky ducts can waste conditioned air and make rooms harder to cool. Air-leakage estimates are not a fixed percentage of cooling capacity or bill savings.

9. Replace the Air Filter

If you haven’t changed your filter recently, we’ll swap it out during the tune-up. During heavy use in Kenner and the surrounding areas, check the filter monthly and follow the equipment and filter manufacturers’ replacement instructions.

10. Test Thermostat Operation

We verify your thermostat is reading temperature accurately and communicating correctly with the system. A miscalibrated thermostat can cause short cycling, inconsistent temps, and unnecessary wear on your equipment.

11. Full System Performance Check

After completing all checks and maintenance, we run the system through a full cycle and measure supply and return air temperatures as part of checking operation against the equipment’s specifications. Temperature readings alone do not prove full capacity or rule out every fault.

What You Can Do Between Tune-Ups

Limit owner care to safely accessible filters, normal controls, room vents, and loose debris around the cabinet. Follow the equipment instructions, and ask for service if access is unsafe. Leave panels, wiring, capacitors, refrigerant, and internal cleaning to a qualified technician.

• Check your air filter monthly — replace or clean it as directed for its type and condition
• Keep the outdoor unit clear — clear loose leaves and vegetation around the cabinet without reaching into it, and follow the manufacturer’s required clearances
• Keep vents open and unblocked — closing vents can change duct pressure and airflow; follow the system design and equipment guidance
• Use a suitable thermostat schedule — choose comfortable settings and avoid lowering the target far below your desired temperature to try to cool faster
• Listen for anything unusual — clicking, banging, or hissing sounds are worth a call before they become expensive problems

Schedule Your Tune-Up Before the Rush

Every year, as soon as temperatures climb into the 90s, our phones start ringing with homeowners whose systems just stopped working. A spring tune-up can identify maintenance needs before peak cooling season, but it cannot prevent every breakdown. Don’t wait until you’re sweating it out to get it checked.

We serve Kenner, Metairie, New Orleans, and all surrounding areas. Call us today and we’ll get you on the schedule.