Professional Preventive Maintenance in Tiki Island, TX

More than you think — and on the Gulf Coast, the losses compound faster than anywhere inland. The Department of Energy estimates unmaintained HVAC systems lose approximately 5% efficiency per year. That's the baseline number. On the coast, salt corrosion accelerates that degradation to 7-10% per year for unprotected outdoor units. Within three years of skipped maintenance, a coastal HVAC system can be operating at 75-80% of its rated efficiency.

Put that in dollar terms. A 16 SEER system running at 80% efficiency performs like a 12.8 SEER system. On a $250/month CenterPoint Energy bill during peak summer in Galveston, that efficiency loss wastes $50-60 per month. Over a five-month peak season (May through September), that's $250-300 in wasted electricity — every single year. And the loss compounds. Year two is worse. Year three is worse still.

That's just the energy waste. The equipment damage is where the real cost lives.

The Corrosion Multiplier

Inland HVAC systems degrade from wear, heat cycling, and normal component aging. Coastal systems deal with all of that plus an aggressive corrosive environment that attacks every exposed metal surface on your outdoor unit.

Here's what salt corrosion does between maintenance visits:

Condenser coil fins corrode and develop micro-holes that leak refrigerant. A system low on refrigerant by even 10% loses 20% of its cooling capacity and forces the compressor to work harder. Compressor strain is cumulative and irreversible.

Electrical contacts and wire terminals develop oxidation that increases resistance. Higher resistance means higher amp draw, which means higher operating temperatures at every connection point. This accelerates failure of contactors, capacitors, and control boards.

Cabinet hardware — screws, brackets, fan mounts — corrodes and weakens. Vibration from normal operation loosens corroded fasteners. Fan blades go out of balance. Compressor mounts shift. What starts as surface rust becomes structural degradation.

Copper refrigerant fittings develop verdigris (green oxidation) that can penetrate joints and cause slow leaks. A slow refrigerant leak costs $200-500 to find and repair. A compressor that runs low on refrigerant for a full season costs $1,500-3,000+ to replace.

None of this is visible during normal operation. Your system runs. It cools the house — just not as well, not as efficiently, and not for as long as it should.

The Real Cost of Skipping: Year by Year

Year one without maintenance: 5-10% efficiency loss. Approximately $150-300 in extra energy costs. Salt buildup begins reducing coil performance. Total cost: $150-300.

Year two without maintenance: 10-20% cumulative efficiency loss. Salt corrosion advances from surface oxidation to pitting. Electrical connections degrade. Refrigerant may begin to leak from corroded fittings. Energy waste climbs to $300-500. Risk of component failure increases significantly. Total cost: $300-500 plus repair risk.

Year three without maintenance: 20-30% cumulative efficiency loss. Coil pitting may require coil replacement ($800-2,000). Compressor strain from low refrigerant and restricted airflow becomes measurable. Multiple electrical components approaching failure. Energy waste reaches $500-700. Total cost: $500-2,700 depending on whether major components fail.

Year four and beyond: System lifespan is materially shortened. Equipment that should last 15-20 years is now on track for 8-12 years. A premature system replacement costs $6,000-15,000 depending on system type and size. The cumulative cost of skipped maintenance now exceeds $10,000 when you factor in energy waste, repairs, and early replacement.

Compare that to the cost of preventive maintenance: $129 per visit, four visits per year, $516 annually. Over ten years, that's $5,160 in maintenance — roughly one-third the cost of a single premature system replacement.

What Preventive Maintenance Actually Prevents

Our $129 preventive maintenance visit includes everything needed to catch problems before they become failures:

Coil cleaning and salt residue removal. This single task restores heat transfer efficiency and is the most impactful maintenance item for coastal systems. Clean coils can recover 10-15% efficiency immediately.

Electrical connection inspection and tightening. We check every terminal, contactor, and wire connection for corrosion, resistance, and heat damage. Corroded connections get cleaned and treated.

Refrigerant charge measurement. If the system is low, we find and repair the leak before topping off. Running a system with low refrigerant is the fastest way to kill a compressor.

Capacitor testing. Capacitors weaken in Gulf Coast heat and humidity. A weak capacitor makes the compressor and fan motors work harder. Replacing a $15 capacitor during a maintenance visit prevents a $200+ emergency call when it fails completely at 2 AM in August.

Condensate drain flush. Gulf Coast humidity means your system produces gallons of condensate daily. A clogged drain causes water damage, mold growth, and can trigger a safety switch that shuts your system down.

Corrosion assessment and documentation. We photograph and document corrosion progression at every visit. This creates a record that helps us predict component replacement timelines and helps you plan and budget accordingly.

The Membership Plan Advantage

Maintenance plan members pay $129 per visit with no dispatch fee, get priority scheduling during peak season, and receive a corrosion inspection at every visit. Over four quarterly visits, members save $400+ compared to scheduling individual service calls at regular pricing. The plan includes 15% off parts and labor for any repairs identified during maintenance.

For coastal homeowners in Galveston, Texas City, League City, Dickinson, La Marque, and Santa Fe, preventive maintenance isn't optional. It's the difference between a system that lasts its full lifespan and one that fails years early. Call or schedule online to set up your first visit.