AC Maintenance Services in Houston
With the heat and humidity we endure in Houston for nearly eight months out of the year, especially in South Texas in July or August, our air conditioning systems are easily the most essential appliance in our homes during that time. However, keeping your AC system running efficiently doesn’t happen by chance — it requires regular AC maintenance with the help of a reliable company like Nick’s AC in the Houston, TX, area.
Why is Professional HVAC Maintenance So Important?
Regular heating and air conditioning maintenance keeps your system operating as it should. During an HVAC maintenance service call, Nick’s licensed and skilled HVAC technicians will perform several tasks to bring your system up to speed for the summer season.
Year-round heat means year-round strain
Houston’s climate puts more demand on AC units than most regions. With mild winters and long, hot summers, your system rarely gets a break. Constant use leads to wear and tear that can only be managed through routine maintenance.
AC is more than comfort — it’s a necessity in Houston
In Houston and surrounding areas, air conditioning isn’t just about staying comfortable — it’s important for health and safety. High temperatures and humidity levels can create dangerous indoor environments, especially for children, older adults, and pets. A reliable AC keeps your home comfortable.
Neglecting maintenance costs you in efficiency and repairs
Without regular air conditioning services, your system loses efficiency. Dirt buildup, clogged filters, and worn components force your unit to work harder, which spikes your energy bills and leads to avoidable repairs. Maintenance keeps your system operating at peak performance.
How Often Should You Schedule AC Maintenance?
How often should you service your AC? Most HVAC equipment manufacturers and professional HVAC companies recommend having at least one general HVAC maintenance service each year.
Annual vs. bi-annual maintenance
At a minimum, homeowners should schedule a professional annual air conditioner tune-up once a year. However, in Houston’s climate, bi-annual servicing — once in the spring and again in the fall — offers better protection against wear and tear.
Why seasonal tune-ups make a difference
Seasonal AC maintenance services prepare your AC for the intense summer ahead, ensuring coils, refrigerant levels, and electrical components are in top shape. Fall checkups can identify issues that developed over summer and prep your system for lighter winter use.
Monthly filter checks homeowners should perform
While most maintenance tasks should be left to professionals, checking and replacing your air filter monthly is a DIY task that makes a big difference. Clean filters boost airflow, improve indoor air quality, and extend your AC’s life. Ask your Nick’s Air Conditioning technician to show you where your filters are and how to change them.
When is the Best Time of Year to Perform HVAC Maintenance?
Coming off the end of a hard-use season, post-summer or post-winter is the most convenient time for a homeowner to perform annual HVAC maintenance. It also works well for your professional HVAC companies, like Nick’s, who experience a downturn in service calls during seasons of lower HVAC demand.
Spring and fall are ideal windows
Beat the summer heat and avoid winter neglect by booking AC maintenance in spring or fall. Technicians are less busy and your system isn’t under as much stress, making it the perfect time for a tune-up.
Avoid peak-season delays and breakdowns
Waiting until July to fix a struggling AC unit is a recipe for long delays and expensive emergency calls. Preventative care in the off-season helps you avoid breakdowns during peak demand. Instead of searching for “air conditioner maintenance near me,” contact Nick’s for quick, reliable service.
Finding an open slot to schedule your next HVAC maintenance call will be a snap if you call Nick’s during the spring and fall months to book it.
What Services Are Included with HVAC Maintenance?
We’ll Clean the HVAC System Air Filters.
The most crucial maintenance task any technician or homeowner can perform on your HVAC system is regularly changing the air filters. Depending on the configuration of your system, you may have one large filter near the central fan blower, or there could be several smaller filters in return vents throughout the home.
Dirt, dust, mildew, pet dander, hair, skin flakes, and cooking smoke all get pulled into and trapped by your HVAC filters, making it more difficult for air to pass through them, causing your AC unit to work harder. Changing your HVAC system’s air filters can lower your monthly energy bill by 15 – 30%, and new filters reduce the airborne dust in the home.
Your Nick’s Air Conditioning technician will be happy to show you where your HVAC air filters are and how to change them between service calls. Most HVAC system manufacturers recommend changing air filters every six months, but every home differs. Be sure to check your filter(s) once a month and change them when they look dirty.
We’ll Check Refrigerant Levels and Look for Leaks.
The liquid refrigerant is the lifeblood of your HVAC system, and without the proper amount being distributed at the appropriate pressure, it won’t take long to realize something is wrong. Too little refrigerant in your system means it’s always mildly humid and uncomfortable, with lukewarm air blowing from the vents.
Too much refrigerant causes the motors within the AC unit to overwork to the point that they generate their own heat, which causes hot air to blow into the living space. By maintaining your HVAC system regularly, your technician will ensure that your system carries the proper amount of refrigerant.
Unlike changing air filters, checking and adding liquid refrigerant is not a task for the do-it-yourselfer. It requires a manifold gauge that measures the pressure of refrigerants, can remove excess or contaminated refrigerants from a system, and can be used to add refrigerant.
We’ll Visually Inspect the Condenser Coil.
Your HVAC system’s condenser coil has the unenviable task of spending its entire life in your backyard, often in direct sunlight, working hard to keep your home comfortable. The condenser coil’s job is to allow the refrigerant space to circulate and discharge the heat it picked up from inside the house into the atmosphere. Due to its being located outside the home, your AC unit is constantly under assault from the sun and wind, rain, leaves, dirt, sand, and even bugs.
When enough dirt and debris build up on the fins of the condenser coil, much of the heat that the coil should dissipate into the atmosphere ends up being directed back into the home. Cleaning the condenser coil removes the dirt and built-up grime from the fan and fins, allowing the refrigerant to return to its heat-removing liquid state. This allows your air conditioner to continue cooling your home at peak performance and maximum efficiency.
We’ll Make Sure Your HVAC Ductwork is Sealed.
One of the most often overlooked components of your home’s comfort systems is the ductwork that delivers your treated air. Ductwork comes in two types; formed sheet metal made of galvanized steel or aluminum is generally used for plenums and long runs across an attic. Flexible ductwork (flex-duct) moves air from the plenum and out to the individual vents throughout the home. Flex-duct is exceptionally durable, as it must be to survive multiple summers in Houston attics, and is much easier to install than rigid metal ductwork.
We’ll inspect all exposed ductwork, looking for any tears in the outer plastic sheeting that covers the duct’s wire inner core that may allow untreated attic air to be distributed into the home. Signs of a torn or otherwise damaged flex-duct are:
- Excessive dust around the house.
- Low airflow from HVAC vents.
- Spikes in your energy bills.
One torn duct in a hot attic can raise your monthly energy bill by 30%, and your AC unit’s extra wear and tear will likely condemn it to premature death.
And This is Just the Start!
Nick’s Air Conditioning works from a 32-point checklist of items related to bettering your HVAC system’s performance, efficiency, and lifespan that includes:
- Inspect Bearings for Wear & Lubricate
- Test the Thermostat for Proper Operation & Accuracy, Calibrate, and Level Where Needed.
- Inspect Electrical Wiring and Disconnect Box for Proper Rating and Installation.
- Condenser Coil Cleaning, Inspect, and Test Electrical Capacitors.
- Check for any Exposed Wiring.
Why Should I Schedule an HVAC Maintenance Call?
How many years would you drive your car without getting an oil change or the tires rotated?
Essential, routine maintenance is crucial to all mechanical devices, with an HVAC system being no different from your car. If you want your HVAC system to operate at peak performance and maximum efficiency and last long after the warranty runs out, you must maintain it.
How Long Should an HVAC System Last?
High-quality HVAC systems can have a lifespan of fifteen to twenty years. But proper AC maintenance is critical to get as many years as possible from the unit. It will ultimately determine how long an AC unit will last. Indeed, the more often you use the system, the more wear-and-tear it withstands. A system can endure for decades in a temperature region such as Maine. But it won’t last nearly as long down here in Houston.
Why HVAC Maintenance Is Worth the Investment
Much like regular tune-ups keep your car in working order, the same goes for your HVAC unit. Below are some of the benefits of regular AC maintenance.
Lower energy bills and fewer emergency repairs
A well-maintained AC system operates more efficiently, using less energy and breaking down less often. That means more money in your pocket over time, and fewer surprise repair calls when the heat is at its worst.
Longer system lifespan
Regular maintenance adds years to your system’s life, delaying the need for a costly replacement. Clean components and early detection of issues reduce stress on your unit.
Improved indoor air quality
Dust, mold, and allergens can accumulate in poorly-maintained AC systems. Routine maintenance includes checking filters and coils, which helps ensure the air circulating through your home stays fresh and healthy.
Maintains warranty compliance
Many AC manufacturers require proof of regular maintenance to honor warranty claims. Skipping annual tune-ups could mean paying out of pocket for repairs that might have been covered by your warranty.
Nick’s Plumbing Can Help with Your Annual AC Maintenance!
Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your air conditioning maintenance. Nick’s offers professional AC maintenance plans, discounted rates, and easy financing options for those on a budget. Contact us now to beat the rush or use our online portal to get a quote.
To find out more about setting up an HVAC maintenance appointment or enroll in our Maintenance VIP Plan, call Nick’s Air Conditioning today. We’re on the Way!
Frequently Asked Questions
What services are included with HVAC maintenance?
During AC maintenance, we’ll clean the air filters, check refrigerant levels, look for leaks, visually inspect the condenser coil, and ensure your HVAC ductwork is sealed. We’ll work through our 32-point checklist of items related to bettering your HVAC system.
How long should an HVAC system last?
High-quality HVAC systems can have a service life of 15 to 20 years. However, proper AC maintenance is important to get the most out of your air conditioning unit.
What are signs my AC needs maintenance?
Warning signs that your AC needs maintenance include weak airflow, unusual noises, warm air blowing, unpleasant odors, or higher energy bills. If your AC struggles to cool your home, it’s time for a tune-up.
Can you do AC and plumbing maintenance in one visit?
Yes! We offer a comprehensive Smart VIP Maintenance Program that includes scheduled maintenance visits for both HVAC and plumbing systems.
