How Often Should You Service Your AC in Central Texas?

If you live in Central Texas, you already know your air conditioner works harder than almost anywhere else in the country. The question is how often you need professional AC maintenance to keep it running reliably. The short answer: at least twice a year, in spring and fall. Here's why that AC maintenance frequency matters so much in our climate, and what happens when you skip it.

AC Maintenance Frequency: What Central Texas Homeowners Need to Know

The standard recommendation for most of the country is one annual tune-up. Central Texas is different. Our summers are longer, hotter, and more humid than in most regions. Your system runs more hours, under more stress, and that means it needs more attention. A single annual visit is the bare minimum. For most homeowners in Austin and the surrounding area, twice yearly is the practical standard.

Spring service prepares your AC for the heat. Fall service catches wear from the summer and gets your heating system ready if you have a heat pump or furnace. Skipping either visit leaves gaps where small problems can grow into expensive repairs.

Why Central Texas Needs More Frequent AC Service

Three factors drive the need for more frequent maintenance in our region: extreme heat, humidity, and the length of the cooling season.

Extreme heat. Austin and Central Texas typically see 30 to 69 days above 100 degrees each year, depending on the season. When the mercury climbs that high, your AC runs almost constantly. Overnight lows often stay above 77 degrees, so the system rarely gets a real break from May through September. That sustained load accelerates wear on compressors, capacitors, fan motors, and electrical components. Equipment that might last 15 years in a milder climate can show signs of strain in 10 or 12 here.

Humidity. Our subtropical climate means your AC does double duty: cooling the air and removing moisture. High humidity forces the evaporator coil to work harder. Condensate drains see more use and clog more often. Dirty coils and restricted drains reduce efficiency and can lead to water backup, frozen coils, and mold growth. Regular cleaning and drain line maintenance are essential.

Long cooling seasons. In many parts of the country, the AC runs for four or five months. In Central Texas, it often runs from April through October. That's six to seven months of heavy use. More runtime means more filter changes, more coil cleaning, and more opportunities for small issues to become big ones. A spring tune-up gets you ready for the heat. A fall tune-up addresses what the summer did to your system and prepares your heating for winter if you have a heat pump.

How System Age and Usage Affect Service Frequency

Older systems need more attention. A unit that's 10 years or older has more wear, more potential for refrigerant leaks, and components that are closer to the end of their useful life. We recommend sticking to twice-yearly service for systems over 10 years old. Catching a failing capacitor or low refrigerant early can prevent a compressor failure that would cost thousands to fix.

Usage matters too. If you work from home and keep the AC running all day, your system accumulates more runtime than a household that's empty during the day. Homes with multiple zones or larger square footage also put more demand on equipment. Higher usage doesn't necessarily mean you need more than two visits per year, but it does mean those two visits are non-negotiable. Skipping them is riskier when your system runs more hours.

Pro Tip: Mark your calendar for March and September. Schedule your spring tune-up in March or early April, before the heat arrives. Schedule your fall tune-up in September or early October, after the worst of summer has passed. Technicians are less busy during these windows, so you get better availability and often better pricing.

What Happens When You Skip AC Maintenance

The consequences of skipping maintenance are predictable and costly.

Reduced efficiency. Dirty filters and dirty coils force your system to work harder to achieve the same cooling. Efficiency can drop 15% or more. In Central Texas, where you're already running the AC constantly, that translates directly into higher electric bills. A system that's 15% less efficient can add hundreds of dollars to your annual cooling costs.

Higher bills. The combination of reduced efficiency and longer run times means you pay more every month. What you "save" by skipping a $150 tune-up often gets wiped out in a single summer of elevated electric bills.

Shortened lifespan. Well-maintained HVAC systems typically last 5 or more years longer than neglected ones. In Austin's climate, that difference is even more pronounced. Components wear faster here. A compressor that might last 15 years elsewhere can fail in 10 or 12 if it's never serviced. Regular maintenance extends the life of your investment.

Unexpected breakdowns. Most major AC failures don't happen suddenly. They develop over time. Low refrigerant, dirty coils, worn capacitors, and clogged drain lines all contribute. A tune-up catches these issues before they cause a breakdown. When you skip maintenance, you're betting that nothing will go wrong during the hottest week of the year. That's a bet most homeowners lose eventually.

Cost of Maintenance vs. Cost of Repairs

The math favors maintenance. A typical HVAC tune-up in the Austin area runs between $85 and $200 for a single visit. Maintenance plans that include two visits per year often cost $150 to $500 annually, which can bring the per-visit cost down to $75 to $250. Compare that to common repairs:

A single avoided compressor replacement pays for a decade of tune-ups. Even smaller repairs add up. Catching a failing capacitor during a spring tune-up costs a fraction of what you'd pay for an emergency call when the system won't start on a 105-degree day. Industry data suggests that preventive maintenance can prevent repairs costing 5 to 10 times the cost of the tune-up.

Membership Plans: Making Twice-Yearly Service Easier

The biggest obstacle to regular maintenance is often forgetfulness. Life gets busy, and "schedule AC tune-up" slips down the to-do list until the first 100-degree day arrives and you're scrambling for an appointment. Membership plans solve that problem.

A typical maintenance membership includes two scheduled visits per year (spring for AC, fall for heating), a discount on parts, and priority scheduling when you need AC repair. The company contacts you to schedule, so the visits happen on a predictable cadence. You don't have to remember. You also get priority dispatch during heat waves, which can mean the difference between a same-day fix and waiting several days when every contractor is slammed.

For most homeowners in Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Pflugerville, a maintenance membership that includes spring and fall inspections offers the best value. Compare the annual plan cost to what you'd pay for two standalone tune-ups. In most cases, the plan comes out ahead, and you get the extra benefits on top.

Recommended Maintenance Schedule for Central Texas

Sticking to this schedule keeps your system ready for what Central Texas throws at it. When the heat index climbs and your AC is your only relief, you want to know it was serviced by someone who ran through the full checklist, not someone who showed up for a quick filter swap.

Schedule Your AC Service

If you're ready to get on a maintenance schedule or need AC repair, we're here to help. CG Service Pros serves homeowners across Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and the greater Central Texas area. We offer upfront pricing, no pressure, and NATE-certified technicians who follow a thorough maintenance checklist every time.

Schedule AC Service

Have questions? Call us at (512) 766-5079 or visit our contact page to schedule service.