09/02/2026
Why does seasonal HVAC maintenance actually matter?
Here’s a real example from a service call.
The homeowner’s AC couldn’t keep up and was basically trying to run 24 hours a day. I found the outdoor unit pulling 34 amps and periodically shutting itself down on high pressure.
The cause was a severely dirty condenser coil.
After cleaning the condenser and letting the system run for about an hour, the amp draw dropped from 34 amps to 18 amps, and the unit stopped shutting down on high pressure.
That’s a 47% reduction in measured current draw.
Here’s where that can hit your wallet.
At 240 volts, 34 amps represents roughly 8.2 kVA of electrical demand. At 18 amps, that drops to about 4.3 kVA.
If we use those measurements to illustrate a system trying to run 24 hours a day for a month, that’s a difference of roughly 2,765 kVAh. Actual billed kWh will vary because of power factor, but at around 13¢ per kWh, that difference could represent roughly $360 in one month under those assumptions.
And that’s before considering the biggest benefit: now the AC can actually do its job, satisfy the thermostat, and shut off instead of struggling around the clock.
That’s why seasonal maintenance isn't just about changing a filter.
Keeping the condenser clean can mean lower operating pressures, less load on the compressor, better cooling, less runtime, and lower power consumption.
Sometimes a little maintenance can prevent a pretty expensive summer.
Midwest HVACR Solutions LLC
417-439-6499
