Laguna Niguel: what a maintenance visit actually looks like
People in Laguna Niguel call us for maintenance and ask what we actually do during the visit. Fair question. A lot of HVAC companies sell “tune-ups” that are basically a filter change and a sales pitch. Here’s what real maintenance includes, so you can compare.
The checklist
A proper AC maintenance visit takes 60-90 minutes and covers:
- Filter inspection and replacement if needed
- Outdoor coil rinse with fresh water
- Indoor evaporator coil inspection (visual, sometimes camera if access is limited)
- Refrigerant pressure check with gauges — superheat and subcool
- Capacitor reading with a multimeter (compare to nameplate rating)
- Contactor inspection for pitting or burning
- Condensate drain line flush
- Thermostat calibration check
- Visual on duct connections at the air handler
- Static pressure measurement if symptoms suggest a duct issue
If a “tune-up” took 20 minutes and didn’t include gauges or a multimeter, it wasn’t maintenance. It was a wash and a sticker.
What the price should look like
Routine maintenance in Laguna Niguel from us runs in the 130-180 dollar range depending on the system. That covers labor and basic supplies (drain cleaner, filter if standard size). It does not include refrigerant if a recharge is needed — that’s quoted separately based on findings.
If we find something during maintenance that needs attention, we tell you on the spot and quote the repair before doing it. No surprise bills. More on AC repair and what’s involved.