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

In South Louisiana, your air conditioner doesn’t just run in summer — it runs hard, for months on end. Heat indexes above 105°F, high humidity, and near-constant operation put serious stress on any AC system. The best way to avoid a breakdown in the middle of August? Get a professional tune-up before the season peaks.

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 are one of the most common causes of reduced cooling and high energy bills. 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 to restore full efficiency.

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, mold, or restricted airflow. A dirty evaporator coil reduces cooling capacity, causes the system to freeze up, and can lead to poor air quality in your home.

If the coils need cleaning, we’ll show you exactly what we’re seeing and give you a straight recommendation — no pressure. Evaporator coil cleaning is available as an add-on service.

3. Check and Top Off Refrigerant Levels

Low refrigerant (also called Freon or Puron) means your AC can’t cool effectively — and it often signals a leak that needs to be found and repaired. We check refrigerant pressure and charge the system to manufacturer specs if needed. Running low refrigerant long-term can damage the compressor, which is an expensive repair.

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

The blower motor, fan motor, and other moving parts need proper lubrication to run efficiently. Friction from dry bearings increases energy use and leads to premature wear. We lubricate all moving parts and check for signs of excessive wear.

6. Check the Capacitors

Capacitors are small but critical — they give the motors the jolt they need to start up. Weak or failing capacitors are one of the most common causes of AC systems that hum but won’t start. 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 is often a duct problem, not an equipment problem. We check static pressure and inspect accessible ductwork for leaks, disconnections, or blockages. Leaky ducts can waste 20–30% of your system’s cooling capacity.

9. Replace the Air Filter

If you haven’t changed your filter recently, we’ll swap it out during the tune-up. In Kenner and the surrounding areas, filters typically need to be replaced every 30–60 days during heavy use due to humidity and dust levels.

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 to confirm it’s cooling at peak performance. You’ll know exactly what shape your system is in before the season starts.

What You Can Do Between Tune-Ups

• Change your air filter every 30–60 days — more often if you have pets or allergies
• Keep the outdoor unit clear — trim back plants, clear leaves and debris, and make sure there’s at least 2 feet of clearance around it
• Keep vents open and unblocked — closing vents in unused rooms increases pressure and stresses the system
• Set the thermostat consistently — large temperature swings make the system work harder
• 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. Most of those calls could have been avoided with a spring tune-up. 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.