Air conditioning service contract

[BRN_RI_FL]

I need to read up on the details of this later today but I believe we have a year from our new house closing date to decide whether to purchase. I think I had previously read that it’s 5 years labor and 10 years parts. I was just wondering if others thought this was a good or bad idea. The company is Sun Kool. Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

[tuctba]

I need to read up on the details of this later today but I believe we have a year from our new house closing date to decide whether to purchase. I think I had previously read that it’s 5 years labor and 10 years parts. I was just wondering if others thought this was a good or bad idea. The company is Sun Kool. Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.



As I understood with Sun Kool you have two years from your closing date to sign up for the extended LABOR warranty that will take you to 10 years. I too am contemplating the same thing whether another five years of labor is worth it. I believe the extra 5 years is around $649. If you sell as I understand you would get part of that money back minus what you may have used in labor through that period.

[BRN_RI_FL]

Yes now that you mention it, I believe it is two years to sign up. I guess the only negative on waiting the two years is that the price could go up. Hopefully we can get others thoughts on this.

[BRN_RI_FL]

As I understood with Sun Kool you have two years from your closing date to sign up for the extended LABOR warranty that will take you to 10 years. I too am contemplating the same thing whether another five years of labor is worth it. I believe the extra 5 years is around $649. If you sell as I understand you would get part of that money back minus what you may have used in labor through that period.

Actually now that I’m reading, the 10 year parts and 5 year labor warranty were included by the Villages when you purchased your home. The extended SunKool warranty is a maintenance warranty where you get a couple tuneups per year. It includes a discount of 20% off service calls as well as no overtime or weekend charges and biofresh duct treatment. I may call today to find out what they charge for a tuneup if you don’t have the maintenance contract.

[ColdNoMore]

Consumer Reports position on extended warranties/service contracts.

Don't Buy Extended Warranties - Consumer Reports (https://www.consumerreports.org/shopping/dont-buy-extended-warranties/)


When you need to repair your car, refrigerator, computer, or a major system in your home, it’s comforting to think you won't have to break the bank to pay for the fix. That’s why so many people are open to the idea of buying extended warranties that cover repair costs from the many companies that sell them.

These protection plans are also sometimes called service contracts or protection policies. But by whatever name, our advice is the same: Skip them.

Extended warranties can have many gotchas, relying on contract fine print to deny coverage for almost any reason. They've become a major source of complaints to the Better Business Bureau and elsewhere.

“Accidental damage may not be covered. And there may be clauses that allow the company to deny coverage if, for example, you don’t follow their instructions for routine maintenance,” says the Federal Trade Commission.


And yes, there are some folks who have come out ahead...by purchasing an extended warranty.

However, if the company offering the extended warranty wasn't making a profit (often quite large) on them...they wouldn't exist in the first place.

It all boils down to the fact that no one can predict the future and how much someone is willing to spend...for their own peace of mind. :shrug:

Just be sure to read all of the fine print on what is/isn't covered and what level of 'routine maintenance' is required...to maintain the extended warranty.

[BRN_RI_FL]

Consumer Reports position on extended warranties.

Don't Buy Extended Warranties - Consumer Reports (https://www.consumerreports.org/shopping/dont-buy-extended-warranties/)




And yes, there are some folks who have come out ahead...by purchasing an extended warranty.

However, if the company offering the extended warranty wasn't making a profit on them...they wouldn't exist in the first place.

It all boils down to the fact that no one can predict the future and how much someone is willing to spend...for their own peace of mind. :shrug:

Just be sure to read all of the fine print on what is/isn't covered and what level of 'preventative maintenance' is required...to maintain the extended warranty.

Yeah I realize most service contracts are a rip-off.
To be covered by the included 10 year part and 5 year labor warranty requires that annual maintence be done on the unit so I need to find out how much is charged for this by Sun Kool without the Sun Kool maintence contract.

[retiredguy123]

Actually now that I’m reading, the 10 year parts and 5 year labor warranty were included by the Villages when you purchased your home. The extended SunKool warranty is a maintenance warranty where you get a couple tuneups per year. It includes a discount of 20% off service calls as well as no overtime or weekend charges and biofresh duct treatment. I may call today to find out what they charge for a tuneup if you don’t have the maintenance contract.
The Villages only provides a one year warranty on individual parts and labor, and a 2 year warranty on "systems". But, the manufacturer of the A/C equipment, such as Carrier, often have longer warranties.

[retiredguy123]

Yeah I realize most service contracts are a rip-off.
To be covered by the included 10 year part and 5 year labor warranty requires that annual maintence be done on the unit so I need to find out how much is charged for this by Sun Kool without the Sun Kool maintence contract.
I agree. These service contracts have never made sense to me because it limits your options when your system breaks down. You are tied to one company, and they may not be as quick to come out to repair your system. And, the company your have paid in advance may be looking for new business and may not give you the high priority response that you deserve.

[BRN_RI_FL]

The Villages only provides a one year warranty on individual parts and labor, and a 2 year warranty on "systems". But, the manufacturer of the A/C equipment, such as Carrier, often have longer warranties.
Yes you are correct. The extended warranty is not through the Villages.
“Because you purchased a home in The Villages, your heating and cooling system comes with an enhanced Carrier 10-year factory part warranty and a 5-year labor warranty through Climate Shield. Climate Shield is an insurance company.”

[bagboy]

Actually now that I’m reading, the 10 year parts and 5 year labor warranty were included by the Villages when you purchased your home. The extended SunKool warranty is a maintenance warranty where you get a couple tuneups per year. It includes a discount of 20% off service calls as well as no overtime or weekend charges and biofresh duct treatment. I may call today to find out what they charge for a tuneup if you don’t have the maintenance contract.

My last Sun Kool tune up bill was $89.00 dated 10/31/2017

[BRN_RI_FL]

My last Sun Kool tune up bill was $89.00 dated 10/31/2017

I believe that is the lowest price plan which includes one tune-up. We’ll probably go with that. Then there is a $199 plan which includes two tune-ups and a $50 credit for filters, etc. along with a few other benefits. Finally they quoted me a plan for $649 shortly after I bought. I’m waiting for their return call so they can explain that one to me. Not quite sure why that one would be needed since the 10 years parts and 5 years labor is already included as long as your unit is serviced once per year.

[tuctba]

I believe that is the lowest price plan which includes one tune-up. We’ll probably go with that. Then there is a $199 plan which includes two tune-ups and a $50 credit for filters, etc. along with a few other benefits. Finally they quoted me a plan for $649 shortly after I bought. I’m waiting for their return call so they can explain that one to me. Not quite sure why that one would be needed since the 10 years parts and 5 years labor is already included as long as your unit is serviced once per year.



I’m curious what they say. I believe this 649 is for the labor in years six through 10 so in essence it would now be 10 years labor and maintenance. You still need to get and pay for the annual maintenance to keep it active.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BRN_RI_FL]

I’m curious what they say. I believe this 649 is for the labor in years six through 10 so in essence it would now be 10 years labor and maintenance. You still need to get and pay for the annual maintenance to keep it active.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You are correct. The $649 is for labor for years 6 through 10. I’m leaning towards just the $89 yearly tune-up to be in compliance with the 10 years parts and 5 years labor warranty. The first tune- up is free.

[New Englander]

About this "yearly tune-up". What exactly does the service tech do to your air conditioner?

[BRN_RI_FL]

About this "yearly tune-up". What exactly does the service tech do to your air conditioner?

The attached is for the $199 Kool Club membership which includes 2 yearly tune-ups. I’m assuming but not positive that the $89 once a year tune-up would include the same stuff.

[ColdNoMore]

I personally don't like any long-term contracts...especially ones that are on the low side cost wise.


It just seems to me, to be all too tempting to suck someone in with a low price for a yearly maintenance agreement then 'find' things wrong that need repaired...to make up for the low initial cost. :shrug:


I'll just stick with calling Chuck Farrell 352-753-9497 once a year...to look things over. :thumbup:

[retiredguy123]

The attached is for the $199 Kool Club membership which includes 2 yearly tune-ups. I’m assuming but not positive that the $89 once a year tune-up would include the same stuff.
I have never done a "tune-up" on the A/C units I have owned. I replace the filter and occasionally check to make sure the condensate line is draining properly. On a hot summer day, it is a good thing to check the outside unit to make sure the copper pipe that has the black insulation on it is cold to the touch and sweating. If the house is maintaining a proper temperature and your electric bills are consistent, then you really don't need to do anything else. Most of the things listed on the tune-up sheet are a waste of time and money (how do they inspect the compressor?). And, there is no way they can do all of the items on that list for $89. It would take all day to do them properly. Also, it does not include replacing the filter, which is the most important thing to do. Most HVAC companies will charge you more than twice as much for a filter than you can buy yourself. Munn's charges $50 for a filter that I buy at ACE Hardware for $15.

[Toymeister]

I read the carrier warranty, have you? Let me save you the time Carrier does not require any sort of service of any kind to maintain their warranty, none.

Now what will likely need to be replaced? The capacitor, and it will most likely fail after the comprehensive warranty which was two years I believe. The ten year warranty is for the compressor which again will almost certainly perform for ten years.

[New Englander]

I read the carrier warranty, have you? Let me save you the time Carrier does not require any sort of service of any kind to maintain their warranty, none.

Now what will likely need to be replaced? The capacitor, and it will most likely fail after the comprehensive warranty which was two years I believe. The ten year warranty is for the compressor which again will almost certainly perform for ten years.

Are those called a "start capacitor"?

[biker1]

The 10-year Carrier parts warranty on my system is for all parts.


I read the carrier warranty, have you? Let me save you the time Carrier does not require any sort of service of any kind to maintain their warranty, none.

Now what will likely need to be replaced? The capacitor, and it will most likely fail after the comprehensive warranty which was two years I believe. The ten year warranty is for the compressor which again will almost certainly perform for ten years.

[photo1902]

The 10-year Carrier parts warranty on my system is for all parts.

Same here. Capacitor covered three years into service.

[photo1902]

I read the carrier warranty, have you? Let me save you the time Carrier does not require any sort of service of any kind to maintain their warranty, none.

Now what will likely need to be replaced? The capacitor, and it will most likely fail after the comprehensive warranty which was two years I believe. The ten year warranty is for the compressor which again will almost certainly perform for ten years.

The warranty is on the condensing unit, where the capacitor is located. The compressor is also part of the condensing unit.

[crash]

I agree. These service contracts have never made sense to me because it limits your options when your system breaks down. You are tied to one company, and they may not be as quick to come out to repair your system. And, the company your have paid in advance may be looking for new business and may not give you the high priority response that you deserve.

It is actually the exact opposite of this. If you break down you are on the top of the list and they will respond within 24 hours of your call. This applies to 24 hour a day 7 days a week with no uncharge on labor.

In Florida during the summer you do not want to be without A/C.

This is how my service with Munns works.

[Dan9871]

It is actually the exact opposite of this. If you break down you are on the top of the list and they will respond within 24 hours of your call. This applies to 24 hour a day 7 days a week with no uncharge on labor.

In Florida during the summer you do not want to be without A/C.

This is how my service with Munns works.

That's what we have found with Sunshine's service contract too. Twice in the last 4 years we've had a capacitor go bad an in both cases they had someone at the house to fix it in less than 4 hours... the house barely had time to warm up.

[graciegirl]

We have used Sunshine to service and clean and change filters on our air conditioner for six years.. We are satisfied.

Their number in Sumter county is 352.748.9329

[retiredguy123]

It is actually the exact opposite of this. If you break down you are on the top of the list and they will respond within 24 hours of your call. This applies to 24 hour a day 7 days a week with no uncharge on labor.

In Florida during the summer you do not want to be without A/C.

This is how my service with Munns works.
Glad you are satisfied. But, how do you know you are on the top of the list? I had a problem with my A/C system last year, and Munn's came out almost immediately, in way less than 24 hours. If they hadn't, I had at least 5 other companies to call. There is no shortage of HVAC contractors in The Villages. I don't see any need to sign a contract with one company, especially since they don't provide any warranty about how fast they will respond.

[asianthree]

We had sunkool on first house,sold in four years, refused refund of remaining 6 years, due to a repair that was covered by warranty. It was vacation home, so used them for peace of mind.

Second house sunkool, no extended warranty, but used them for two years $199.00, twice a year maintenance.

Third house 5 year preowned, sunshine install, have all paperwork, leak in the system ongoing since year 1. We purchased home had sunkool come, found leak, and fixed it. Then second year we were told another leak and we needed a new system for $$$$$. I called Chuck Farrell for second opinion. No charge for service call and found no issues with our 8 year old system.

We now use. Chuck Farrell, for all homes. Guys are always polite, and have never had a problem. $65 for once a year maintenance that they say is all system needs.

[crash]

Glad you are satisfied. But, how do you know you are on the top of the list? I had a problem with my A/C system last year, and Munn's came out almost immediately, in way less than 24 hours. If they hadn't, I had at least 5 other companies to call. There is no shortage of HVAC contractors in The Villages. I don't see any need to sign a contract with one company, especially since they don't provide any warranty about how fast they will respond.

They came out on a Sunday at 10PM. There was no extra charge for after hours or weekend service and they were here in 4 hours. I only pay $89 a year and that includes an annual service. Not sure you can just call someone on a Sunday after hours and get someone to come out without extra charges..