By May the Gulf Coast is already asking a lot of your air conditioner, and by July every HVAC company in Matagorda and Brazoria counties is booked solid. A short check in spring catches most of the problems that turn into emergency calls later. None of this needs tools.
Do this yourself
- Change the filter. Then set a monthly reminder. Nothing shortens the life of a system faster than a clogged filter.
- Clear the outdoor unit. Cut back grass and shrubs to leave two feet of clear space on every side, and remove leaves and debris from the top grille.
- Look at the condensate drain. Find the PVC drain line outside near the outdoor unit. If water drips from it while the system runs, good. If it is dry on a humid day, or you see water near the indoor unit, the line may be blocked.
- Check the thermostat. Replace batteries if it takes them, and make sure the schedule still matches your household.
- Walk the vents. Open every supply register and make sure furniture and rugs are not covering the returns.
- Listen. Run the system for ten minutes. Rattles, grinding, or a compressor that starts and stops repeatedly are worth a call before the heat arrives.
Leave this to a technician
- Refrigerant levels and leak checks. Low charge is the most common cause of an AC that runs constantly but never quite cools.
- Coil cleaning. Our humidity grows biological film on evaporator coils that a garden hose will not remove.
- Electrical testing of capacitors and contactors, which fail without warning in high heat.
- Ductwork inspection, especially in attics where Gulf Coast summers cook the connections loose.
When to book
March and April are the quiet months for HVAC companies here, so a spring tune-up gets you a convenient appointment and a system that goes into summer clean and tested. If your system is more than ten years old, or you skipped last year’s service, book early.
Schedule a spring tune-up or call (281) 787-3448. Same-day scheduling is usually available before the season starts.
