When it comes to your HVAC system, Frankie’s Famous Triple C Tune-Up™ is the gold standard. Unlike a cheap tune-up, Frankie’s Famous Triple C Tune-Up™ focuses on cleaning first to avoid false equipment readings that turn into fake sales calls. Then we do what nobody would dream of doing. We perform minor calibration on the equipment to actually tune it up, reducing vibration, heat, and friction for optimal perfomance.
It’s Arizona. It’s friggin’ hot. The weather is waaay more extreme than Wisconsin. You want to inspect your AC unit annually, not just to protect your manufacturer’s warranty but because you don’t want to be without cool air in this blistering heat.
You don’t even have to believe that Frankie does it right. The ACCA specifies exactly how to do it, and why too many companies are phoning it in when it comes to your HVAC system's health and longevity.
In short, you want your system to perform its duties invisibly for as long as possible before investing in a new system.
So does Frankie.
That’s why Frankie’s Triple C Tune-Up™ is famous.
Why Most Tune-ups are NOT a Tune-Up
A tune-up means you actually have to tune something up, not just check it to find problems. This process extends the system’s lifespan by replacing components nearing the end of their expected useful life.
Let’s be real. Claims about cheap air conditioning tune-ups sound suspicious. If someone’s offering to "tune-up" your furnace for $29-$49, what are they really doing? Get them to show you what they actually did. Did they check the system vitals? When did they check them, before or after the cleaning? Did they even clean the outdoor condensing unit from the inside out? Did they calibrate the equipment? Did they take the vitals a second time to if they took them before the cleaning and calibrating?
If you don't have at least two sets of readings, you don't have a tune-up, you have a sales call.
What is Frankie’s Famous Triple C Tune-Up™?
Preemptive preventative maintenance means two big things:
- Cleaning first, from the inside out, allows for accurate readings of the 9 core vitals.
- Checking your air conditioning systems 6 equipment vitals, and 3 comfort vitals ensure itis functioning within manufacturer’s specification.
- Calibrating motors, mounts, and fans reduce heat, drag, and vibrations, bringing the equipment back to optimal efficency.
The right sequence is critical for accurate results. To prove it, we show you the results. We’ll take a reading before cleaning and then take a second reading after we’re done checking and calbrating the system.
If you don’t see two sets of readings, you don’t pay. If you need a repair, resurfacing, resealing, or restoration, we won't charge you for the mainteance call if we do the extra work.
Frankie believes a little preventative maintenance can double the life of your HVAC system. While most companies want to generate revenue from each call, Frankie knows exactly how short-term that tactic is.
How? Because we go out and set a new standard for actual repairs and maintenance from all the disappointed customers left behind by “Big HVAC.”
We also do an awesome replacement install, but that’s a whole other conversation.
Cleaning comes first to remove dust and debris, contaminants, and cancer that gum up the works and interfere with accurate readings. When you give things a good once over, you see where things have gotten unbalanced, come loose, or corroded. You see where the gunk builds up and what the sand blasts.
And we want to show you that. So we’ll take a systems vitals before we start, get your input on your system's current performance, and get to work giving your outdoor condenser the clean it needs to read right.
Once clean, then we can check the system vitals to determine its true performance. Then, only three things can happen:
- Your system receives a clean bill of health. The vitals are optimal, and you continue to enjoy your system invisibly
- You need a straightforward repair that brings your system back to manufacturer’s specification.
- You get your system tuned up (approximately every 10 years) or deep cleaned (approximately every 5 years) as per ACCA.
So technically, yes, we are checking your system first, but only out of spite! Too many companies show one set of readings and compare it to a cryptic manufacturer’s specification (if at all) and then use scare tactics to sell way more than what any reasonable person would want or need.
It’s really just not as complicated as many HVAC Contractors make it out to be:
- Clean it annually for daily use
- Check that it falls within manufacturer specifications each year
- Repair just the broken thing that is making it fall outside manufacturer specifications
- Deep clean it every 3-5 years, depending on its environment.
- Restore it every 10 years or so.
- Replace it every 20-30 years when taken care of. Yes. Even in Phoenix.
The Most Comprehensive Air Conditioner Tune-Up in Phoenix
Step 1: A Quick Chat
Before jumping in, let’s avoid making assumptions or missing any important information. There are a number of things a homeowner may notice when dealing with their air conditioner:
- How comfortable the air is
- If you’re getting enough air
- Higher than normal energy bills
- Weird noises from the ducts or equipment
- Signs of moisture or ice build-up on or around the equipment
- Weird smells, mold, or algae
- The system turns on and off a lot
- A finicky thermostat
- Dusty rooms
We will give you this list to see if anything pops up in your mind. This information will help us understand if anything suspect is going on that we should keep an eye out for.
Step 2: Collecting Your System’s Baseline Vitals
There are nine essential vitals that determine if your system is performing within manufacturer specifications. These vitals are different from what we measure to optimize your comfort and the machine's performance.
Six Vitals for Confirming Manufacturer Specifications
These metrics ensure the system operates safely and within the parameters defined by the OEM (manufacturer), directly measuring the system's safety, performance, and durability for the environment it is exposed to.
- The voltage and amperage readings confirm the electrical components (compressor, blower motor, etc.) are not overloaded or underpowered.
- The electrical resistance of vital components confirms capacitors, contactors, and motor windings are within acceptable ranges.
- The refrigerant suction and discharge pressures must align with OEM charts for the given environmental conditions.
- Compressor discharge line temperature indicates whether the compressor is operating within safe thermal limits.
- The superheat and subcooling vitals confirm proper refrigerant charge and system operation per manufacturer specs.
- The Total External Static Pressure (TESP) verifies that the system’s airflow is within manufacturer-defined ranges.
Very often, when one of these vitals is outside of manufacturer’s specifications, the homeowner will see a drop in comfort, increased energy bills, unexpected repairs, and premature replacement of their system.
But Frankie isn’t ever going to try and sell you with these baseline vitals. This data should only ever be used to show the change once the maintenance is done. Sometimes repairs or other necessary maintenance, like deep cleaning or tune-ups, need to be done, but not based on the faulty readings that arise before Frankie's Famous Triple C Tune-Up™ has been performed.
Three Vitals for Optimizing System Performance and Homeowner Comfort
These measurements focus on improving your AC system's effectiveness and optimizing the homeowner’s daily comfort and cost of ownership. These vitals align with your desire to enjoy the optimal comfort, performance, energy economy, and durability you were promised when you bought your equipment.
These vitals will exceed the manufacturer’s minimum specifications. After all, it’s far safer for them to underpromise than to set an expectation they are unable to live up to.
- By optimizing the Delta T., we can impact your comfort directly. So, we measure the cooling efficiency of the temperature difference across the coil.
- By optimizing your airflow, we can balance your cooling and heating across the home. So, we measure your CFM to see how your airflow performs from room to room.
- By measuring your indoor humidity and temperature levels, we can ensure the system maintains ideal indoor comfort conditions.
Aside from measuring these three comfort and performance vitals, it’s essential that we take a close look at your condensate drain, evaporator coils, condenser coils, duct work, and blower motor. These are your five most common failure points: increasing energy bills, dropping coolness and airflow, and developing problems that become necessary repairs.
But that’s not what you’re looking for. You’re looking for an HVAC system that does its job invisibly and doesn’t become a burden on your money, effort, or time. And once this preventative maintenance call is done, Frankie wants to leave you with that HVAC system, too.
Let’s start cleaning.
Step Three: Cleaning the System From The Inside Out
Cleaning is the foundation of accurate diagnostics and improved operation, but let’s be real. This isn’t the deep cleaning that ACCA recommends homeowners do every 3 to 5 years, depending on environmental conditions. These are the five cleaning essentials to produce accurate readings and ensure your system is functioning within manufacturer specifications.
- Replace or clean all air filters: Dirty filters restrict airflow, making your system work harder, throwing off vital performance metrics. Some air filters are cleanable; others are disposable.
- Clear debris around and inside the outdoor condensing unit: Sand, sticks, leaves, and nests will obstruct airflow and mechanical movement for proper performance.
- Clean the condenser coil from the inside out: Dust and debris buildup on outdoor coils reduce heat transfer, significantly impacting cooling efficiency. Frankie cleans these coils from the inside of the condensing unit out with a hose and water because to do it from the outside in will just pack the dirt and debris in tighter, causing false readings and eventually system-wide failure.
- Flush the condensate drain: In Phoenix, condensate drains are notoriously blocked, and a common reason the system is underperforming or broken. Cleaning the condensate drain and p-trap is essential for accurate readings and optimal performance when it counts.
- Wipe down the blower components: This removes the dust build-up that puts the fan out of balance and wears out the bearings.
Eventually, you’ll need to take your HVAC system apart and give everything a proper deep clean. For now, this level of cleaning will ensure we get accurate readings from all the essential vitals that ensure your system falls within the manufacturer’s specifications.
Step 4: Retaking the System’s Vitals
Once cleaning is complete, Frankie rechecks the system vitals to confirm that the system now operates within manufacturer specifications. Frankie also wants to see immediate improvements in the system’s performance and the customer’s comfort.
The goal should never be to seek out a problem to make a sale. The goal of a proper tune-up is to prevent untimely, costly repairs. Sometimes with a minor adjustment, sometimes with a priority repair, and occasionally with a repair or deep cleaning.
Without this step, no one can ensure transparency and validate their results with supporting data.
At the end of the day, I figure when I am trusted with the small stuff, you’ll have me look after you and your loved ones for the big stuff. Maybe I’m a romantic fool, but I can’t imagine doing it any other way.
The Six Vitals for Confirming Manufacturer Specifications
These readings validate that the system is functioning safely and as the manufacturer intended:
- Voltage and Amperage Readings
- Ensures that all electrical components, including the compressor and blower motor, are neither overloaded nor underpowered.
- Electrical Resistance of Components
- Confirms capacitors, contactors, and motor windings are within acceptable ranges.
- Refrigerant Pressures
- Verifies that suction and discharge pressures align with OEM specifications under current environmental conditions.
- Compressor Discharge Line Temperature
- Indicates whether the compressor is operating within safe thermal limits.
- Superheat and Subcooling
- Confirms the refrigerant charge and proper system operation.
- Total External Static Pressure (TESP)
- Confirms airflow meets manufacturer-defined parameters for efficiency and safety.
These readings determine if the HVAC system is performing safely and efficiently while identifying any priority repairs required to bring the system back to acceptable tolerances.
The Three Vitals for Optimizing System Performance and Comfort
We’re not stopping at the system, though. Your comfort and desire for an economical and dependable machine extend past the manufacturer’s specifications. These measurements focus on maximizing your comfort and protecting your pocketbook:
- Measuring the Delta T (Temperature Differential)
- Measures the cooling efficiency by comparing return and supply air temperatures. An optimal Delta T ensures comfort and efficient cooling.
- Measuring Airflow (CFM)
- Evaluates system airflow to ensure even cooling across the home, improving comfort and affirming performance.
- Measuring the Indoor Humidity and Temperature Levels
- Confirms the system maintains a balanced indoor environment, ensuring ideal comfort for the homeowner in every room of the house.
By comparing pre- and post-cleaning vitals, these readings should demonstrate how the system has improved in performance and comfort.
Step Five: Reviewing the results and providing recommendations
With the post-cleaning vitals documented, we provide the homeowner with a detailed summary of the system’s condition and improvements. This step includes:
- Sharing the before-and-after results
- Homeowners must see the measurable impact of Frankie's Famous Triple C Tune-Up™, including improved efficiency, airflow, and cooling performance.
- Addressing your priority repairs
- Any vitals outside the manufacturer's specifications are flagged, with recommendations for a straightforward repair to restore the system back to manufacturer's specifications.
- Reviewing any ongoing upkeep recommendations
- When the system requires necessary scheduled maintenance, like a deep cleaning (recommended every 3–5 years) or a tune-up (approximately every 10 years), we provide guidance and options for scheduling and financing these services.
- Inviting you to join the family
- Frankie grew up taking care of friends and family. As an Essential Service Provider, Frankie wants to invite you to his Family Membership, where you get all the perks and consideration of family.
Why is Frankie's Triple C Tune-Up™ famous?
Frankie's Triple C Tune-Up™ is famous because it goes far beyond the low standards of most HVAC Contractors' so-called maintenance agreements and tune-ups.
By adhering to the ACCA preventative maintenance standards with a focus on measurable results at the highest level, Frankie’s customers get more than they bargained for.
- Keeping your family safe: Ensuring all electrical and refrigerant systems operate safely.
- Getting the system performance you expect: Ensuring optimal airflow and heat transfer for efficient operation.
- Enjoying the comfort you deserve: Confirming indoor temperatures, humidity, and airflow are pleasant.
- Owning a system that’s economical to run: Ensuring your energy use is where it should be.
- Maintaining a system for the long term: Extending the system’s lifespan by addressing small issues before they become major problems and keeping up with deep cleaning and eventual tune-ups.
Frankie's Famous Triple C Tune-Up™ Guarantee
Frankie guarantees measurable results:
- If you don’t see two sets of vitals—before and after—you don’t pay.
- If repairs or deeper maintenance are needed, the cost of the tune-up is removed if we do the extra work.
With Frankie’s Famous Triple C Tune-Up™, we aim to ensure you have the most reliable air conditioner in Phoenix.
