AC Maintenance & HVAC Tune-Ups in Corpus Christi, TX

Why maintenance matters more here

With August highs averaging 95°F and warm nights from late spring well into fall (National Weather Service Corpus Christi, Local Climate (1991–2020 normals)), an air conditioner in Corpus Christi logs far more hours than one in most of the country. Dirt on coils, a weak capacitor or a slow condensate drain that would be minor elsewhere becomes a breakdown here. ENERGY STAR recommends a pre-season check of the cooling system in spring and the heating system in fall (ENERGY STAR, HVAC Maintenance Checklist).

What a cooling tune-up should include

• Checking refrigerant pressures and temperatures, not just "topping off."
• Cleaning the outdoor condenser coil, and inspecting the indoor evaporator coil.
• Testing capacitors, the contactor and electrical connections, and tightening them.
• Checking the blower and outdoor fan motors.
• Flushing and testing the condensate drain, pan and float switch.
• Measuring the temperature drop across the indoor coil and checking airflow.
• Checking thermostat operation.
• Replacing or checking the filter.

What you can do yourself

Filters

Check monthly in summer. Standard 1-inch filters often need changing every one to three months here; pets, construction dust and a system that runs constantly shorten that.

The condensate drain

Many systems have a PVC tee with a cap near the indoor unit. Pouring a cup of white vinegar into it every month or two in summer slows algae growth. If the line drains outside, make sure the end is not buried in mulch or blocked.

Rinse the outdoor coil

With the power off at the disconnect, gently rinse the outdoor coil with a garden hose from the inside out if you can, or from the outside in if not. Near the bay and on the islands, rinsing every month or two washes off salt before it can corrode the fins. Do not use a pressure washer; it flattens fins.

Keep it clear

Keep at least two feet of clearance around the outdoor unit. Trim shrubs, and keep grass clippings and leaves away from the coil.

Fall heating check

Turn the heat on briefly on a cool day before the first norther. Heat strips, igniters and flame sensors are most likely to fail after the long off-season, and a fall check of gas furnaces should include the burners, heat exchanger and venting.

Related guides

• Protecting Your AC from Salt Air on the Coastal Bend

Sources: ENERGY STAR, HVAC Maintenance Checklist; National Weather Service Corpus Christi, Local Climate (1991–2020 normals).