The TLC Meticulous Cleaning & Precision Tune-Up

Unlike other contractors who spend on average 30 to 45 minutes, our team of precision tune-up specialists spend on average 1-1/2 to 2 hours. We go well beyond the typical industry "wipe-down and inspection" to meticulously clean and precisely tune every critical part of your system. Here we highlight some of the special features this most important TLC service.

We'll be on time and ready to work for you

Our drug-screened uniformed TLC technician arrives on time with the basic tools of the precision tune-up including: solvent sprayers and state-of-the-art measuring instruments, industrial vacuum cleaner, replacement filter & high-pressure sprayer. He introduces himself with a business card with photo and shows you where he has parked our professionally marked vehicle. Before beginning work, he reviews your copy of the TLC Customer Bill of Rights so that you know exactly what to expect and are assured that if you are not MORE THAN SATISFIED at the completion of his work, YOU DO NOT PAY!

Protecting and prepping

Our technician dons shoe covers and lays out drop cloths to protect your floor. He'll spend some time questioning you about such things as your comfort levels, your system's maintenance and repair history, and about your comfort and healthy air concerns. He'll keep notes so as to be sure that solutions to all your concerns will be addressed at the end of his visit.

After checking your thermostat settings and insuring that your system is working, our technician checks return grills to be sure they're free and unobstructed. At your unit, he records all serial numbers. These numbers in our files will enable us to get parts quickly should your units ever need repair in the future.

Assesment testing

Next, our technician drills necessary access holes for the critical pre- and post- tune-up static pressure tests. This pressure test is the only way to assess the your system's comfort performance – its ability to move treated air efficiently throughout your home. By making these measurements and by performing important calculations, your TLC precision tune-up specialist will be able to show you precisely what was accomplished by today's efforts. TLC is one of very few contractors trained and equipped to perform these important tests and calculations.

Breaking down and cleaning the indoor portion of your system

After removing the filter, disconnecting power and confirming with a volt meter, our technician removes the blower assembly. For many contractors, this is followed by a quick "inspection" and wipe-down with a rag. Your TLC technician completely disassembles the blower assembly so that it can be chemically cleaned. This is a critical step in the TLC Precision Tune-up. Even small amounts of dirt will interfere with air flow (not to mention send dust into your living space). The blades of the blower wheel (also known as squirrel cage) are convex so as to propel air through your system. When these become blocked with dirt, airflow suffers.

Next our technician disconnects the evaporator coil drain line and cleans the indoor coils and, in the case of furnaces, heat exchanger(s). This will involve vacuuming and so as to remove large particles. He uses a special brush so as not to damage or flatten coil fins. Then coils are chemically cleaned by spraying and saturating with a special solvent. The inside compartment is cleaned while the time is allowed for the solvent to work. Then our technician uses a high pressure sprayer to rinse the cleaner and debris all the way through to the drain pan where it is cleaned up. After thoroughly cleaning and rinsing the coil, our technician uses fin comb to straighten any fins that may have bent during cleaning.

Our technician then goes throughout your house vacuuming return grills.

This meticulous cleaning is essential to the efficiency and comfort of your system. Accumulated dirt interferes with heat transfer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, just 0.42" dirt build-up can lower a coils efficiency 21%. Again, most contractors skip these important steps or just do a quick wipe-down with a rag.

Next our technician chemically and mechanically cleans the blower wheel, motor and compartment and resassembles it.

Cleaning the outdoor portion of your system

At the outside unit, our technician uses the same cleaning procedures he used on the indoors to clean the outdoor coil. He the cleans the outside cabinet and applies a protective Teflon coating. Inside, he applies a wax coating to the equipment.

Important diagnostic checks and measurements

Once the system is meticulously clean, then it's ready for diagnostics. Among the important checks he performs is refrigerant level. A system 10% low loses 20% efficiency. Among other important checks our technician performs includes: electrical connections, fan motor and compressor capacitance, blower motor amps, amp draw on all other components, all wiring, burner efficiency and carbon monoxide safety.

Every TLC Precision Tune-up ends the same as it begins – with static pressure measurements and associated calculations. Most tune-ups in our industry begin and end with equipment, but the capacity of your system to deliver treated air to every room of your home is the only true measure of comfort and efficiency. These tests and calculations are your assurance. Our technician gives you a written report and reviews these findings with you before he leaves your home.