Taking care of your HVAC system is an important part of prepping your home for Texas’ summer heat. That’s why I signed up for a free CoolSaver A/C Tune-Up from Centerpoint Energy. Not only did I save $120 with this freebie, now I can be confident that my HVAC will keep me cool all season long.
In this article, you’ll find out about my experience with the CoolSaver A/C Tune-Up, what’s included and how you can get your free A/C tune-up in the Houston area.
My Experience: CenterPoint CoolSaver Tune-Up
When I purchased a house in summer 2021, I had a home inspection that gave me the all clear on the HVAC. So when I moved in, I didn’t bother with an A/C Tune-Up. I figured it was fine. And it was.
Until it wasn’t.
Last summer my system stopped working in June because of a blocked condensate drain. Then in August, my HVAC shut off suddenly due to a burnt out capacitor in the outdoor condenser.
Going into this summer, I wanted to be sure that everything was working correctly.
Not many people know about the free CoolSaver A/C Tune-Up that Centerpoint Energy offers. But since I’ve been in the electricity business for over 20 years, I knew about this great opportunity to get something for free.
I signed up for a CoolSaver Tune-Up on CenterPoint’s website. It’s a simple form asking your name, address, and contact information. They also ask for the name of your electricity provider, best time to reach you and contact preferences.
CenterPoint assigned me to one of their participating HVAC contractors. In my case, that was Comfort Temperature Systems. I received an email and a text from them within less than 24 hours.
The scheduling process was easy, and I received an email confirmation for my appointment. I also got a confirmation the day before and a text message letting me know when they were 30 minutes out.
Two HVAC technicians came to my home, armed with some pretty advanced measuring devices. Here’s what’s covered in a CoolSaver A/C Tune-Up:
- Measure indoor airflow and correct if needed
- Clean outdoor condenser coils
- Inspect indoor coil and clean if dirty
- Inspect indoor blower and clean if dirty
- Adjust refrigerant charge to manufacturer’s specifications using a digital refrigerant analyzer (with up to one pound of refrigerant included)
I asked Juan Carlos, the technician who came to my house, about the service and what they typically find. He said that in many homes he’s visited, the refrigerant is low and needs to be recharged.
In my case, the system was great and perfectly charged. He did have some recommendations to replace my (original 1964) ductwork and add insulation in the attic. But there was no hard sell of any kind.
The only change I would make on the CoolSaver process is some follow-up from CenterPoint to close the loop. I would have liked an email confirming what services were performed, the measurement readings and some energy efficiency tips.
Overall, I’m happy with my free HVAC tune-up and have peace of mind as we r Houston’s hot weather.
Sign-Up for a Free A/C Tune-Up in Houston
Centerpoint Energy offers a free A/C tune-up as part of its energy efficiency programs. Regardless of which electricity company you use, you can qualify for this free service if you have CenterPoint Energy as your electric utility company.
To qualify for a CoolSaver Tune-Up in Houston you must:
- Have not received a CoolSaver A/C Tune-up in the past 5 years.
- Have a central A/C or heat pump system that is at least one year old and in good working order at the time of service.
- Have individual A/C systems that are no larger than 5 tons.
Apartments, geothermal systems, window units, mini-splits and chillers are not eligible for this program.
Sign up for your free CenterPoint CoolSaver A/C Tune-Up online.
