The One HVAC Tune-Up Service That's Always a Scam

Spring and fall are 'tune-up season' in the HVAC world. While legitimate maintenance is crucial for the lifespan of your system, the $29 tune-up special you saw on Facebook is almost certainly a bait-and-switch.

The 'Refrigerant Top-Off' Myth

The most common scam during a tune-up is the technician telling you that your system is 'a little low on Freon' and needs a top-off. Here is the absolute truth: HVAC systems do not consume refrigerant.

Refrigerant is in a sealed, closed loop. It's like the oil in your car's engine (but even more sealed). If you are low on refrigerant, you have a leak. Period. Paying $300 to 'top it off' without fixing the leak is like putting air in a tire with a nail in it. It will just leak out again.

The 'Dirty Contactor' Upsell

A contactor is a small switch in the outdoor unit. Over time, it gets a little pitted or discolored from electrical arcing. This is normal. Shady techs will show you a picture of a slightly discolored contactor and claim it's about to catch fire, charging you $250 for a $30 part that was working perfectly fine.

How to Protect Yourself

Only hire companies that charge a realistic rate for maintenance (usually $80-$150). A real tune-up takes 45-60 minutes of labor. If they are charging $29, they have to find something to fix, or they go out of business.