Spring AC Preparation | Complete Texas Summer Readiness Guide

February through March is ideal for Texas homeowners. You'll beat the spring rush, have excellent technician availability, and get normal pricing. April is still good, May is last chance before summer rates and wait times. By June, you'll face 2-7 day wait times and emergency pricing.

Professional tune-ups typically cost $89-$150 in North Texas. This includes coil cleaning, refrigerant check, electrical testing, drain line clearing, and comprehensive inspection. Avoid extremely cheap offers ($39-$49)—they often upsell aggressively or skip important checks.

A comprehensive tune-up includes: cleaning evaporator and condenser coils, checking refrigerant levels and pressures, testing electrical connections and components (capacitor, contactor), clearing and treating the drain line, verifying thermostat calibration, measuring temperature differential, inspecting ductwork, and testing safety controls. Service should take 45-90 minutes.

Homeowners can handle several tasks: replacing filters, clearing debris from outdoor unit, rinsing condenser coils with a garden hose, cleaning vents, pouring vinegar down the drain line, and testing system operation. However, professional tasks—checking refrigerant, testing electrical components, and cleaning evaporator coils—require specialized tools and EPA certification.

During Texas spring (February-April), change filters every 30 days due to heavy pollen. Oak pollen season is particularly intense and can clog filters quickly. Once pollen season passes, you can extend to every 60-90 days depending on filter type and household factors (pets, allergies, etc.).

Texas AC systems run 6-8 months continuously during our long cooling season—far more than northern states. This extended runtime means more wear, more condensate production (drain clog risk), and more debris accumulation. Systems that fail in July face 100°F+ heat and 2-7 day wait times for repair.

Test your AC when outdoor temperatures are above 60°F. Most air conditioners have a low-ambient lockout that prevents the compressor from running when it's too cold. In Texas, most days from mid-March onward are warm enough for testing.

Locate the drain line (PVC pipe near your indoor unit), pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the line, wait 30 minutes for it to break down buildup, then flush with water. Verify water flows freely from the outdoor drain point. If water backs up or drains slowly, the line needs professional clearing.

Most HVAC professionals advise against covering AC units. Covers can trap moisture, encourage rust, and create homes for pests. Units are designed for outdoor exposure. If you do cover, only cover the top and remove it before any use—running a covered unit causes serious damage.

Clogged drain lines are the #1 spring service call in Texas. Our high humidity produces 5-20 gallons of condensate daily, and algae/biofilm grows in the drain during winter when the system sits idle. This causes water leaks, system shutdowns, and potential water damage.

A properly functioning AC should noticeably cool your home within 15-30 minutes of starting. You should feel cold air at vents within 5 minutes. If the system runs for an hour without cooling, or if air at vents isn't cold, there's a problem requiring professional diagnosis.

Yes, with caveats. For systems 10-15 years old, tune-ups help maximize remaining life. For systems 15+ years old or using R-22 refrigerant, use the tune-up as a diagnostic opportunity—have the technician assess overall condition and provide a replacement estimate so you can make an informed decision before summer emergencies.