ZAP Knowledge Center
HVAC Maintenance & Tune-Ups Explained
Regular HVAC maintenance is one of the most important parts of keeping your system running efficiently and avoiding expensive breakdowns. In North Georgia’s heat and humidity, tune-ups help your equipment handle long run times, heavy summer loads, and moisture that can wear systems down faster. This guide covers the most common maintenance questions homeowners ask—what’s included in a tune-up, how often to schedule service, and why small issues found early can save thousands later.
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A real HVAC tune up is our Club Membership. It offers 15% discounts on any repairs, priority scheduling, and waived diagnostic fees. The best level is to clean coils, check refrigerants, test motors and capacitors, check airflow, inspecting electrical connections, and clearing condensate drains. It is a thorough tune up and cleaning. It validates manufacturers’ parts warranties and allows the customer to get the maximum life possible out of their system before it needs to be replaced.
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There are different levels of tune ups, and each level performs a different level of cleaning and inspection.
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In our climate, yes. Heat, humidity, and attic conditions are hard on equipment.
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You shorten its life, pay more on utility bills, and risk more breakdowns.
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Usually 45–60 minutes per system, longer if it has been neglected.
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Because regular maintenance prevents breakdowns, keeps systems efficient, helps the customer save money and builds long-term customer relationships.
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Priority service, discounts on repairs, and better reliability and performance from your system.
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It can if the issue is a dirty filter, dirty coil, or blower. It cannot fix bad duct design.
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If the freeze-up is caused by airflow or dirt, yes. If it is a leak or mechanical issue, it needs a repair.
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Algae, debris, and dirt build up in the condensate drain over time.
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Yes. Clean, well-tuned equipment uses less energy.
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You may smell dust or cleaner burning off. It should clear quickly.
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For Georgia, two visits a year – one for cooling and one for heating – is a better plan.
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You can gently rinse it with a hose from the top down. Do not use a pressure washer.
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That is normal condensate in cooling mode. Heavy or constant flow with other issues should be checked.
