AC and heat pump tune-ups in Greenville
Get the system checked in spring, before the first 90 degree week. Over 2016-2025 the first 90°F day at the Greenville station came around May 25 on average. This Old House puts a tune-up at $65 to $200.
Why spring
A Greenville system goes from light use to running most of the day within a few weeks. Over 2016-2025 the station averaged 56.4 days at 90°F or more a year, from around May 25 to September 23, and July alone averaged 90.9°F for a high. A weak capacitor or a dirty coil is cheap to fix in April and a lot more annoying to discover in July, when every company is busy.
Average days at 90°F or hotter, by month
What a good tune-up checks
- Capacitor and contactor readings, not just a look.
- Refrigerant charge, measured. A leak check if it is low.
- Outdoor coil cleaned of pollen, grass and leaves; indoor coil inspected.
- Condensate drain flushed and the float switch tested. A humid summer sends a lot of water down that line, and algae clogs it.
- Airflow and the temperature drop across the coil.
- On a heat pump, the reversing valve, the defrost control and the backup heat strips.
Ask for the readings in writing. A tune-up that ends in a hard sell for a new system without numbers to back it up isn't much of a tune-up.
What it costs
This Old House lists AC tune-ups at $65 to $200, with a $133 average. Many companies sell yearly maintenance plans with two visits, one for cooling in spring and one for heating in fall, which suits a heat pump that runs in both seasons. Compare the plan price with two single visits before you sign up.
What you can do yourself
- Check the filter monthly in summer and change it when it looks dirty. Spring pine pollen loads filters fast.
- Keep shrubs and grass clippings a couple of feet back from the outdoor unit.
- Rinse the outdoor coil gently with a hose, power off. No pressure washer.
- Ask the technician to show you where the condensate drain and its float switch are. ENERGY STAR's maintenance checklist includes inspecting the condensate drain. In a humid summer that line carries a lot of water.
Questions Greenville homeowners ask
How often should an AC or heat pump be serviced in Greenville?
Once a year at least, in spring. A heat pump that also heats the house gets used most of the year, so many owners have it checked again in fall.
How much is an AC tune-up?
This Old House lists $65 to $200, with a $133 national average. Ask what the visit includes and whether parts are extra.