HVAC Maintenance? How much are you paying?

[jrref]

With all this talk about Munns increasing their maintenance prices 45%, how much are you paying, who's doing the maintenance, how many times a year, and from what you can tell, how long are they there doing the work?

If you don't do maintenance, tell us that too and tell us if your condenser has a "fur coat".

Also, if you had a capacitor changed, tell us how much it cost and which company did the work and if it was an emergency or not.

Also, tell us how old your system is. Let's see who has the oldest system running in the Villages.

[Stu from NYC]

Great post.

Last week Munns was to come for pm (scheduled 6 months in advance) and the day before get reminder and by the way we are raising your price by 45% and seems like we did not tell you.

Since they did not think to tell us about increase and we are long term customers asked them to hold price for this trip. Told us no.

Told them to cancel and we are looking for replacement.

[Mr.Big]

I use no one for regular maintenance. I changed filters regularly and put 50% solution of white vinegar and water down the condensate line twice a year. My 19 year old Trane condensing unit is still purring along. I have never had a service call on it. Maybe it is hard to stop a Trane! And that’s coming from someone that sold Carrier equipment in five states for 30 years! I even wax my old Trane unit at least once a year. It still looks new. I use to train dealers to always wax the outdoor unit of the customer that is receiving the maintenance service. More customers felt like their unit ran like new when it looked good again!!!!!!

[jrref]

I use no one for regular maintenance. I changed filters regularly and put 50% solution of white vinegar and water down the condensate line twice a year. My 19 year old Trane condensing unit is still purring along. I have never had a service call on it. Maybe it is hard to stop a Trane! And that’s coming from someone that sold Carrier equipment in five states for 30 years! I even wax my old Trane unit at least once a year. It still looks new. I use to train dealers to always wax the outdoor unit of the customer that is receiving the maintenance service. More customers felt like their unit ran like new when it looked good again!!!!!!

Do you ever clean the outdoor condenser coils? If not, it must have a fur coat by now.

[Mr.Big]

No, the old spiny fin coil on my 19 year old Trane unit is still shiny and bright. Trane got that all aluminum coil from General Electric when they purchased the GE air conditioning division in the 70’s. Those old GE Weathertron units with the Climatuff compressors were almost impossible to kill!!! Trane had very little residential equipment until they bought the GE air conditioning division.

[retiredguy123]

I have never paid anything for maintenance. I add a gallon of hot tap water to the condensate drain about every months, change the filter every 6 months, and hose off the condenser unit when needed. I think maintenance is the biggest money maker for most HVAC companies. They get paid for whatever they do, and they don't need to fix anything. Also, they don't provide any guarantees for future service or repairs or extended equipment life. Their "verbal" promise to provide priority service or to extend the life of your system is not worth anything to me.

[jrref]

No, the old spiny fin coil on my 19 year old Trane unit is still shiny and bright. Trane got that all aluminum coil from General Electric when they purchased the GE air conditioning division in the 70’s. Those old GE Weathertron units with the Climatuff compressors were almost impossible to kill!!! Trane had very little residential equipment until they bought the GE air conditioning division.

I saw a Youtube video on that Trane system. Someone has one that's 50 years old. Still works although it has a refrigerant leak so they need to keep charging it up. He never does maintenanced on it. Only fixes it when it needs it. It also has a "fur coat" but he says that's what's keeping it running but the outdoor condenser unit sounds like it's sufficating.

That's the funny part about maintenance. "People" say, "It's running just fine". But how do they know because it's coolng? But at what cost? They could be paying double in energy costs because it's old and or unmaintained and very inefficient.

[Mr.Big]

My air conditioning electric usage is very reasonable. If my unit is keeping me comfortable, with no service calls, and very reasonable electric usage; I’m happy. Money not spent on maintenance, or expensive service calls is money in my pocket. If It ain’t broke, I don’t replace it. Believe me, I’ve seen many people put out big money for the latest, greatest systems to be disheartened later from breakdowns, and full of cognitive dissonance. I recommend people purchase a good solid middle of the road unit. Not the builder models, not the trophy units, but the middle of the road units with good SEER rating with low decibel rating for noise. Also, get 3 or 4 estimates and buy from the contractor you are comfortable with, and feel like he will be there for you in the future.

[Michael G.]

Annual maintenance for me at any cost from Munn's.
In this Florida heat, I'll say again, my 3 year old HVAC Carrier unit is the most important appliance in my house

[jrref]

My air conditioning electric usage is very reasonable. If my unit is keeping me comfortable, with no service calls, and very reasonable electric usage; I’m happy. Money not spent on maintenance, or expensive service calls is money in my pocket. If It ain’t broke, I don’t replace it. Believe me, I’ve seen many people put out big money for the latest, greatest systems to be disheartened later from breakdowns, and full of cognitive dissonance. I recommend people purchase a good solid middle of the road unit. Not the builder models, not the trophy units, but the middle of the road units with good SEER rating with low decibel rating for noise. Also, get 3 or 4 estimates and buy from the contractor you are comfortable with, and feel like he will be there for you in the future.
Interesting many HVAC companies are offering full 10 year labor to go along with the 10 year parts from the manufacturer at a very reasonable price so that tells me the newer Inverter systems are now very reliable compared to years ago.

[retiredguy123]

Annual maintenance for me at any cost from Munn's.
In this Florida heat, I'll say again, my 3 year old HVAC Carrier unit is the most important appliance in my house
It seems redundant to pay for maintenance on a system that is still covered by a full parts and labor warranty.

[jrref]

It seems redundant to pay for maintenance on a system that is still covered by a full parts and labor warranty.

Maybe, but the way they look at it is maintenance is labor you pay to check the system, clean the condenser and evaporator coils, and clean the condensate drain. If they find the run capacitor is low for example, the charge for that part and to replace it is covered under the parts and labor warranty. Does that make sense?

[jrref]

It's interesting that most feel a HVAC maintenance call and any repairs should be basically cheap. For example, maybe change the capacitor for $25 because you can get one on Amazon for $10 or sometimes at Ace Hardware for free. If the HVAC companies charged a lot less how could they stay in business? Who's going to pay the insurance, expenses for the trucks, salaries, any benefits? Ask yourself, if you knew how to do this maintenance and repairs, would you do it for minimum wage for a living?

[Mr.Big]

If contractor is offering 10 year labor warranty to go along with 10 year parts warranty from the manufacturer; that labor warranty is only good as long as that contractor is still in business. If it’s a third party labor warranty; many of those have vanished and left people with no warranty. I tell people all the time when purchasing a new HVAC system; Buyer Beware. I have seen prices on the same equipment range from $7000 to $28,000 . Unfortunately, in these times, I see more fraudulent, almost criminal crimes against seniors than previous eras.

[retiredguy123]

Maybe, but the way they look at it is maintenance is labor you pay to check the system, clean the condenser and evaporator coils, and clean the condensate drain. If they find the run capacitor is low for example, the charge for that part and to replace it is covered under the parts and labor warranty. Does that make sense?
Not really. I have never paid for any HVAC maintenance and my systems have all lasted at least 15 to 20 years, with no real issues.

It would interesting to know how many people, who pay for regular maintenance, have actually had the capacitor replaced during the maintenance visit, and how much extra they were charged.

[Bill14564]

Not really. I have never paid for any HVAC maintenance and my systems have all lasted at least 15 to 20 years, with no real issues.

It would interesting to know how many people, who pay for regular maintenance, have actually had the capacitor replaced during the maintenance visit, and how much extra they were charged.

Not me. The inspection visit identified a degraded capacitor and I replaced it myself. I had options, I could have waited for the next visit or I could have waited until it failed. I chose to benefit from the inspection and perform the preventive maintenance.

[biker1]

Yes, this is an easy DIY. I actually go a step further; I preemptively replace mine every 3 years. I keep the old one around until the next replacement in case the replaced one were to die early. We are gone a lot and would prefer not to have the HVAC fail while we are gone from something I can address.

Not me. The inspection visit identified a degraded capacitor and I replaced it myself. I had options, I could have waited for the next visit or I could have waited until it failed. I chose to benefit from the inspection and perform the preventive maintenance.

[jrref]

If contractor is offering 10 year labor warranty to go along with 10 year parts warranty from the manufacturer; that labor warranty is only good as long as that contractor is still in business. If it’s a third party labor warranty; many of those have vanished and left people with no warranty. I tell people all the time when purchasing a new HVAC system; Buyer Beware. I have seen prices on the same equipment range from $7000 to $28,000 . Unfortunately, in these times, I see more fraudulent, almost criminal crimes against seniors than previous eras.

Right, which is why it might be best to deal with a larger more established HVAC company who will stand behind what they sell.

[Mr.Big]

Maybe. But I’ve dealt with some of the largest to some of the smallest contractors. Believe me, some of the largest ones did inferior work to the small companies. Companies are only as good as the person they are sending to your home. The HVAC industry is a great industry to be a great service tech or installer. Everyone always going to need air conditioning and heat! We use to say that someone will be installing or servicing a system during a nuclear war! People use to question how I made it through the recession years; I told them I didn’t need any new construction; had millions out there to replace!

[djlnc]

I think maintenance is the biggest money maker for most HVAC companies.

Back in NC years ago I went to one of the local shops to get a part for the air handler. From the counter I could see in the office a board with sales people listed and their SPIFs for maintenance contracts.

[jrref]

109236Not really. I have never paid for any HVAC maintenance and my systems have all lasted at least 15 to 20 years, with no real issues.


So here is the reality. There is nothing wrong with your maintenance plan except you are not checking the refrigerant pressures and temperatures, sub-cooling and super heat. Although your system may be "runnng fine", there is really no way to know for sure and that it's running efficiently unless you check the refrigerant and OR you check your Delta-T which no one here has mentioned.

Delta-T is something every homeowner can do themselves to get an "idea" of how well their system is running. How do you test it? You get a temperature probe from Amazon, for example and when the system is running at 100% on a warm or hot day, subtract the return air or input air temperature going into your air handler from the supply air or output coming out of your air handler. The difference is called Delta-T and should be anywhere from 18-24 degrees difference. On older systems you may see 15-18 degrees difference which means the system is cooling just not as efficiently as it could be. Now one issue with Delta-T measurements is you have to assume your system is sized correctly. If it's not, on a very hot day your Delta-T may be lower than all other days of the year because your system can't keep up.

So all that said, if you maintain your own system, either with a professional checking it once a year and you doing whatever maintenance you can do or those who only clean the filters and the coils, checking the Delta-T temperature will give you a good idea on how well the system is actually working assuming everything in the system is in good working order. Remember, just because your system "seems" to be runnung fine, it may not be and you are wasting money every month running an inefficient system that might easily be fixed.

If you are not testing, you are guessing.

Hope this all helps.

Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Thermometer-Klein-Tools-ET05/dp/B071JRZB49/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2U3UKIEJ0SQ9F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AH6cvPwVJoLlr13eQ4Ct9HIJvC_cfqO7E 0-Lp94prht8pN4iGPpE8GBm7qMUqEGMKJknxene8P0GoLa3kistx 0MZO9OLeW76ddCOw5Lh5JQdhfA2vMi_DbJbP1oCarBokwdCXZ2 pazI0E66p5-LpbH_ZyIhWQlEwQbIPYUkrMKNI8shwe-EfLcTbBADu0ywKcAFblnEbTliKo9fXfEjPLxjqwcebiifo22qJ kMOpgAw.4lejUDsZCo9V2Cs7dv1LPM6n20hk_L_qtBawBSSF99 Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=temperature%2Bprobe%2Bhvac&qid=1752947025&sprefix=temperatire%2Bprobe%2Bhvac%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-3&th=1)

[Mr.Big]

I understand the terms, but most of the hundreds of thousands of Villagers aren’t interested in hooking gauges up to their HVAC systems. They are more interested in being active and having fun in their final years.

[jrref]

I understand the terms, but most of the hundreds of thousands of Villagers aren’t interested in hooking gauges up to their HVAC systems. They are more interested in being active and having fun in their final years.

Agreed which is why they should pay the price and have a reputable HVAC company check the system once a year or if they don't want to pay of feel the maintenance is not necessary, they need to know the facts and make the decision that's best for them.

[Battlebasset]

I have DeSantis out once a year. But I replace my own filters, and pour hot water down my condensation line every couple of months.

Something else I have, and have been suggesting to people, is to pick up a cheap rolling window AC when Ollie's or someone gets them and puts them on sale. I had one up north and brought it with me. So if my AC dies, I can at least cool the bedroom until I can get someone out, and I am not feeling pressured to take whatever price is offered to get my whole house running again. Also, when it's really hot and my whole house AC is struggling to keep up, I can use this to supplement. Especially if we have a bunch of people over.

[retiredguy123]

I understand the terms, but most of the hundreds of thousands of Villagers aren’t interested in hooking gauges up to their HVAC systems. They are more interested in being active and having fun in their final years.
I agree. I understand the terms also, but my entire electric bill for the past 12 months has averaged $106 per month, which is pocket change compared to my electric and gas bills in my old house in Virginia, and it has not varied much over the years. In fact, my cost of living has decreased by about 75 percent since moving here. My HVAC system has been heating and cooling my house perfectly for the past 9 years. If my system fails, I will just repair it or buy a new system.

[Bill14564]

Agreed which is why they should pay the price and have a reputable HVAC company check the system once a year or if they don't want to pay of feel the maintenance is not necessary, they need to know the facts and make the decision that's best for them.

The cost/benefit analysis of these inspections would be interesting.

- Identifying a failing capacitor that is then replaced could avoid a hot home. On the other hand, having a spare capacitor on-hand and replacing it when the home begins to warm up would be cheaper

- Identifying a coolant leak or failing compressor would provide an opportunity to schedule a replacement before the existing unit fails. On the other hand, how often do these systems fail gradually such that an owner would get a warning?

If I can fix a problem in ten minutes or preemptively replace the capacitor every three years then is it worth $800 (4 years to noticeable degradation @ $200/year) for a possible warning?

If the system is more likely to fail suddenly than to give a warning then is it worth $2,000+ to have someone come and tell me they see nothing wrong?

Of course, peace of mind has a value too.

I have been off and on with inspections over the seven years I've owned here. I'm on the fence right now but a 45% increase will definitely make for an easier decision.

[jrref]

The cost/benefit analysis of these inspections would be interesting.

- Identifying a failing capacitor that is then replaced could avoid a hot home. On the other hand, having a spare capacitor on-hand and replacing it when the home begins to warm up would be cheaper

- Identifying a coolant leak or failing compressor would provide an opportunity to schedule a replacement before the existing unit fails. On the other hand, how often do these systems fail gradually such that an owner would get a warning?

If I can fix a problem in ten minutes or preemptively replace the capacitor every three years then is it worth $800 (4 years to noticeable degradation @ $200/year) for a possible warning?

If the system is more likely to fail suddenly than to give a warning then is it worth $2,000+ to have someone come and tell me they see nothing wrong?

Of course, peace of mind has a value too.

I have been off and on with inspections over the seven years I've owned here. I'm on the fence right now but a 45% increase will definitely make for an easier decision.

Good points. I think the decision point is as follows.

If you have a heat pump system and If you are able to do the following:
1) Clean the condenser and evaporator coils once a year.
2) Pour hot tap water down the condensate line every month or so.
3) Be able to open the condenser unit once a year and test the capacitor to see if it's out of spec. and change it as necessary.
4) Check the amperage of your Auxillary heat strip in the Air Handler.
5) Be able to get a temperature probe and test the Delta-T at your Air Handler.

If your are able to do tasks 1-5 above then one would say you don't need HVAC maintenance by a professional once a year. I would bet if you were able to determine how many Villagers would be able and willing to do all the tasks, it would be a very small number compared to the total population.

If you can't do the above tasks then you probably want to spend the money and have HVAC maintenance done for you.

If you don't have a heat pump system and have a furnace, I would recommend getting a HVAC professional to check your system once a year. If you are a DIY'r and make a mistake with the furnace you are gambling with your life vs spending the $200/year for maintenance. Not worth it unless you have the equipment and know 100% what you are doing.

[Bill14564]

Good points. I think the decision point is as follows.

If you have a heat pump system and If you are able to do the following:
1) Clean the condenser and evaporator coils once a year.
2) Pour hot tap water down the condensate line every month or so.
3) Be able to open the condenser unit once a year and test the capacitor to see if it's out of spec. and change it as necessary.
4) Check the amperage of your Auxillary heat strip in the Air Handler.
5) Be able to get a temperature probe and test the Delta-T at your Air Handler.

If your are able to do tasks 1-5 above then one would say you don't need HVAC maintenance by a professional once a year. I would bet if you were able to determine how many Villagers would be able and willing to do all the tasks, it would be a very small number compared to the total population.

If you can't do the above tasks then you probably want to spend the money and have HVAC maintenance done for you.

If you don't have a heat pump system and have a furnace, I would recommend getting a HVAC professional to check your system once a year. If you are a DIY'r and make a mistake with the furnace you are gambling with your life vs spending the $200/year for maintenance. Not worth it unless you have the equipment and know 100% what you are doing.

I will be skipping 5, 4, and probably the testing part of 3 per the thoughts in the message your replied to.

My gamble will be that the compressor/coolant system will either fail without warning or will last until I choose to replace it. I might lose that gamble.

The last two failures would not have been detected by the yearly inspections.

[jrref]

I will be skipping 5, 4, and probably the testing part of 3 per the thoughts in the message your replied to.

My gamble will be that the compressor/coolant system will either fail without warning or will last until I choose to replace it. I might lose that gamble.

The last two failures would not have been detected by the yearly inspections.

The Aux Heat is kind of important because when it does get cold, the condenser will go into defrost mode and if your home is calling for heat at that time, the Aux Heat should come on for that short period during the defrost. If the Aux Heat strips were bad, mine went bad, you will think you have no heat and then call for service. Here in Central Florida this isn't critical but just wanted to explain why I included that check.

Can you tell us what your last two failures were? Just curious, maybe we can learn something.

[Bill14564]

The Aux Heat is kind of important because when it does get cold, the condenser will go into defrost mode and if your home is calling for heat at that time, the Aux Heat should come on for that short period during the defrost. If the Aux Heat strips were bad, mine went bad, you will think you have no heat and then call for service. Here in Central Florida this isn't critical but just wanted to explain why I included that check.

Can you tell us what your last two failures were? Just curious, maybe we can learn something.

The integrated controller on the blower motor and the circuit board shorted out by an anole climbing behind it.

[jrref]

The integrated controller on the blower motor and the circuit board shorted out by an anole climbing behind it.

Yep I’ve seen both those failures. Very common from what I understand. And preventative maintenance wouldn’t have helped.

[Joecooool]

I've lived in Florida all my life. I don't know anyone who pays for preventative maintenance. They rinse off the coils a couple of times a year, dump vinegar in the return line a couple times a year, and replace the air filters every 90 days - that's it. We only have the AC guys come out when there is an issue.

[Joecooool]

Interesting many HVAC companies are offering full 10 year labor to go along with the 10 year parts from the manufacturer at a very reasonable price so that tells me the newer Inverter systems are now very reliable compared to years ago.
AC warranties in Florida are BS.

The coil in my compressor failed last summer while in its last year of warranty, and it was going to be 6 WEEKS for parts.

I had to wait or buy a new compressor. It did not make sense to wait that long to put in a new coil in when everything else in the unit was already almost 5 years old. Especially since only the parts, and not the labor, were covered under warranty. Even under warranty I was looking at about a $1200 labor job.

So, guess which one I chose.

My experience is not uncommon.......

[Bill14564]

///

[Bill14564]

AC warranties in Florida are BS.

The coil in my compressor failed last summer while in its last year of warranty, and it was going to be 6 WEEKS for parts.

I had to wait or buy a new compressor. It did not make sense to wait that long to put in a new coil in when everything else in the unit was already almost 5 years old. Especially since only the parts, and not the labor, were covered under warranty. Even under warranty I was looking at about a $1200 labor job.

So, guess which one I chose.

My experience is not uncommon.......

From what you wrote, I guess you chose the $15K+ replacement rather than the $1,200 repair. That's a $13K+ choice on your part.

[JudyLife]

With all this talk about Munns increasing their maintenance prices 45%, how much are you paying, who's doing the maintenance, how many times a year, and from what you can tell, how long are they there doing the work?

If you don't do maintenance, tell us that too and tell us if your condenser has a "fur coat".

Also, if you had a capacitor changed, tell us how much it cost and which company did the work and if it was an emergency or not.

Also, tell us how old your system is. Let's see who has the oldest system running in the Villages.
6 yr old unit installed & maintained yearly by Munns. I pay $99 yearly plus the cost of new filter from Amazon -approx. $40, which their engineer changes for me. Very satisfied with Munns.

[thelegges]

Only a few posts have actually answered OPs question.

HVAC maintenance, how much are you paying? Who do you use?

[wwwson]

It seems redundant to pay for maintenance on a system that is still covered by a full parts and labor warranty.

Please keep in mind most warranties require regular maintenance by qualified technician. Having ben involved with maintenance, warranties and repairs on Elevator and Escalators I had many a discussion about why the "warranty" was void due to inadequate, qualified service.

[retiredguy123]

Please keep in mind most warranties require regular maintenance by qualified technician. Having ben involved with maintenance, warranties and repairs on Elevator and Escalators I had many a discussion about why the "warranty" was void due to inadequate, qualified service.
HVAC systems installed in The Villages do not require regular maintenance by a technician to enforce the warranty.

I will agree that most warranties for almost any product will have a clause that allows the manufacturer to deny a warranty claim if there is "evidence" that the product has been abused or damaged by improper use. For example, you can change your own oil on a vehicle, but if you never change the oil and the engine fails because of this, the manufacturer can refuse to repair the engine. But I have never seen a warranty that states "in writing" that a qualified technician is required to perform regular maintenance. If you know of such a warranty for a consumer product, please post it.

[USOTR]

Change the filter and flush the drain tub twice a year yourself.

Where I lived before I had a local company come once a year check the pressure, replace the filter and clean the system for $100 cash.

[jrref]

AC warranties in Florida are BS.

The coil in my compressor failed last summer while in its last year of warranty, and it was going to be 6 WEEKS for parts.

I had to wait or buy a new compressor. It did not make sense to wait that long to put in a new coil in when everything else in the unit was already almost 5 years old. Especially since only the parts, and not the labor, were covered under warranty. Even under warranty I was looking at about a $1200 labor job.

So, guess which one I chose.

My experience is not uncommon.......

No one is saying that your choice is wrong, just you might have had a problem that caused the compressor to fail early that could have been corrected if other tests were done periodically. There is no way to tell now but that's the point of this thread.

[NoMo50]

It would interesting to know how many people, who pay for regular maintenance, have actually had the capacitor replaced during the maintenance visit, and how much extra they were charged.

I have. Two years ago, during a routine maintenance visit, our Munn's technician found the capacitor in our unit was out of spec. He replaced it with a new USA made capacitor at no cost to me.

[jrref]

I have. Two years ago, during a routine maintenance visit, our Munn's technician found the capacitor in our unit was out of spec. He replaced it with a new USA made capacitor at no cost to me.

How old was your system at the time? They probably changed it for free because the part was still under warrenty or did you have a "special" contract with them?

[Teemotay]

With all this talk about Munns increasing their maintenance prices 45%, how much are you paying, who's doing the maintenance, how many times a year, and from what you can tell, how long are they there doing the work?

If you don't do maintenance, tell us that too and tell us if your condenser has a "fur coat".

Also, if you had a capacitor changed, tell us how much it cost and which company did the work and if it was an emergency or not.

Also, tell us how old your system is. Let's see who has the oldest system running in the Villages.

I just purchased my first ever maintenance plan from Sunshine AC after reading a few reviews of their business. I called them out just for some reassurance and to have them look at some work that was done by the installing company (no emergency).

The plan I chose was for 2 visits per year and I chose it after watching the technician do all his work and asking questions. My invoice was a few cents shy of $300.

The technician was here for a minimum of 90 minutes. He took before and after pictures of everything he cleaned and all readouts of testing he did on the capacitor etc. He cleaned the outside unit and the air handler unit in the garage including a thorough flush of the condensate line.

There was some “fur” on the inside of the air handler that really surprised me because I thought I was doing sufficient maintenance to keep that from happening (changing filters and treating condensate line).

Let me state that I know basically nothing about HVAC units but like to do DIY projects whenever I can providing that I feel I can do it without much hassle or questions about my results. To me, there are some things that I’d rather pay someone else to do and some things I would rather do myself. For instance, I won’t pay someone to mow my yard, fertilize it, treat it for pests or disease, trim my hedges and shrubs, treat weeds, etc.

The tech showed me the capacitor reading (41.42) and told me that it should be between 40-45 with a reading higher in the range being preferable. I chose not to replace it during this visit. He quoted me $141 to replace it and gave me the capacitor model number.

The plan I chose includes discounts on parts and labor for work done and some other terms I found beneficial to me.

My system is 5 years old and he sent me copies of every picture that he took and there were many.

I’m happy with all of it and I don’t have to mess around with something I know little about. That’s more free time for golf, fishing or yard work! 😎

[JRcorvette]

With all this talk about Munns increasing their maintenance prices 45%, how much are you paying, who's doing the maintenance, how many times a year, and from what you can tell, how long are they there doing the work?

If you don't do maintenance, tell us that too and tell us if your condenser has a "fur coat".

Also, if you had a capacitor changed, tell us how much it cost and which company did the work and if it was an emergency or not.

Also, tell us how old your system is. Let's see who has the oldest system running in the Villages.

We use Kalos and have been for many years. They have several different Service Plans. As for replacing the Capacitor they cost under $20 and it is very easy for anyone who can use a screwdriver to do it yourself. I recommend keeping a spare on hand because that is the most common item to fail.

[jimmy o]

With all this talk about Munns increasing their maintenance prices 45%, how much are you paying, who's doing the maintenance, how many times a year, and from what you can tell, how long are they there doing the work?

If you don't do maintenance, tell us that too and tell us if your condenser has a "fur coat".

Also, if you had a capacitor changed, tell us how much it cost and which company did the work and if it was an emergency or not.

Also, tell us how old your system is. Let's see who has the oldest system running in the Villages.
Our original Carrier is 21 yrs old. Do the maintenance myself. Live in expanded Gardenia, just paid electric bill yesterday $199

[Nana2Teddy]

We use Kalos and have been for many years. They have several different Service Plans. As for replacing the Capacitor they cost under $20 and it is very easy for anyone who can use a screwdriver to do it yourself. I recommend keeping a spare on hand because that is the most common item to fail.
We had a maintenance plan with Kalos for one year, then had them install mini-splits in lanai and garage and a year later a whole house dehumidifier in the attic. We were very happy until the dehumidifier installation which they screwed up badly even after having three different techs come out to re-work it because none seemed to know what they were doing. Even though it works okay now at keeping humidity low it came at the expense of one of our guest rooms being warmer than it used to be. For some reason the dehumidifier is affecting the temp of the air coming out of that one register. We lost all confidence in them and no longer recommend them to our neighbors and friends.

All this to say we no longer have a maintenance plan with any company because we don’t know who to trust, or whether we even need one. Our home is three yrs old, and we have a Carrier unit. Hubby does the condensation drain line monthly, and the filter every six months.

[jrref]

We use Kalos and have been for many years. They have several different Service Plans. As for replacing the Capacitor they cost under $20 and it is very easy for anyone who can use a screwdriver to do it yourself. I recommend keeping a spare on hand because that is the most common item to fail.

I'm 100% positive, they didn't install a $20 capacitor. The "good" capacitors that last the longest are made in the USA. Amrad is one. They cost $65 + and will last 2-3 times longer than the $10-$20 capacitor you get on Amazon.

[jrref]

I just purchased my first ever maintenance plan from Sunshine AC after reading a few reviews of their business. I called them out just for some reassurance and to have them look at some work that was done by the installing company (no emergency).

The plan I chose was for 2 visits per year and I chose it after watching the technician do all his work and asking questions. My invoice was a few cents shy of $300.

The technician was here for a minimum of 90 minutes. He took before and after pictures of everything he cleaned and all readouts of testing he did on the capacitor etc. He cleaned the outside unit and the air handler unit in the garage including a thorough flush of the condensate line.

There was some “fur” on the inside of the air handler that really surprised me because I thought I was doing sufficient maintenance to keep that from happening (changing filters and treating condensate line).

Let me state that I know basically nothing about HVAC units but like to do DIY projects whenever I can providing that I feel I can do it without much hassle or questions about my results. To me, there are some things that I’d rather pay someone else to do and some things I would rather do myself. For instance, I won’t pay someone to mow my yard, fertilize it, treat it for pests or disease, trim my hedges and shrubs, treat weeds, etc.

The tech showed me the capacitor reading (41.42) and told me that it should be between 40-45 with a reading higher in the range being preferable. I chose not to replace it during this visit. He quoted me $141 to replace it and gave me the capacitor model number.

The plan I chose includes discounts on parts and labor for work done and some other terms I found beneficial to me.

My system is 5 years old and he sent me copies of every picture that he took and there were many.

I’m happy with all of it and I don’t have to mess around with something I know little about. That’s more free time for golf, fishing or yard work! 😎

You did the right thing going with a reputable company like Sunshine but you are wasting your money getting the 2x/year maintenance. 1x/year is plenty here in the Villages. They have the 2x/year plan for those that want it but it's not necessary. As far as the capacitor, it's still in tolerance but my guess is next year you will probably need to change it and $141 is a fair price because they use the $65+ Amrad capacitor and not the Chinese junk you get for $10 on Amazon or sometimes free from Ace Hardware.

[Bill14564]

I'm 100% positive, they didn't install a $20 capacitor. The "good" capacitors that last the longest are made in the USA. Amrad is one. They cost $65 + and will last 2-3 times longer than the $10-$20 capacitor you get on Amazon.

You did the right thing going with a reputable company like Sunshine but you are wasting your money getting the 2x/year maintenance. 1x/year is plenty here in the Villages. They have the 2x/year plan for those that want it but it's not necessary. As far as the capacitor, it's still in tolerance but my guess is next year you will probably need to change it and $141 is a fair price because they use the $65+ Amrad capacitor and not the Chinese junk you get for $10 on Amazon or sometimes free from Ace Hardware.

Do you have any data for that or is it just your opinion based on the lower price?

[asianthree]

We had a maintenance plan with Kalos for one year, then had them install mini-splits in lanai and garage and a year later a whole house dehumidifier in the attic. We were very happy until the dehumidifier installation which they screwed up badly even after having three different techs come out to re-work it because none seemed to know what they were doing. Even though it works okay now at keeping humidity low it came at the expense of one of our guest rooms being warmer than it used to be. For some reason the dehumidifier is affecting the temp of the air coming out of that one register. We lost all confidence in them and no longer recommend them to our neighbors and friends.

All this to say we no longer have a maintenance plan with any company because we don’t know who to trust, or whether we even need one. Our home is three yrs old, and we have a Carrier unit. Hubby does the condensation drain line monthly, and the filter every six months.

What is the temp difference between bedrooms after dehumidifier? Compared to temp monitors prior

Our house At comfort setting 77.
Front south facing bedroom (16x16’west facing 36’window) consistent 75. Should be hottest.
Middle two bedrooms (12’x15’ windows 36” width facing west) 76.
Master northeast (18.5’x19’ window 72” width) consistent 77. Master is the farthest from HVAC.

We are block with 10’ walls interior and exterior and 8’ interior and exterior doors

Temps hold steady for the last two years no matter the outside temperature.

Considering a whole house dehumidifier because of sliders opening in and out to pool.

[Teemotay]

You did the right thing going with a reputable company like Sunshine but you are wasting your money getting the 2x/year maintenance. 1x/year is plenty here in the Villages. They have the 2x/year plan for those that want it but it's not necessary. As far as the capacitor, it's still in tolerance but my guess is next year you will probably need to change it and $141 is a fair price because they use the $65+ Amrad capacitor and not the Chinese junk you get for $10 on Amazon or sometimes free from Ace Hardware.

Yes, they do use the better capacitors. I have multiple reasons for taking the 2-visit plan, which I’m perfectly comfortable with. Peace of mind is one. Another is that I’m not wasting money paying someone to cut my grass! 😎

I’m also setting up a little test to see if the second visit is as comprehensive as the first and to see how much the capacitor declines after this summer’s power outages and going into the heating season. I don’t have to renew it so it’s money well spent in my mind. I’d only waste it on more bass fishing tackle or golf stuff.

[jrref]

Yes, they do use the better capacitors. I have multiple reasons for taking the 2-visit plan, which I’m perfectly comfortable with. Peace of mind is one. Another is that I’m not wasting money paying someone to cut my grass! 😎

I’m also setting up a little test to see if the second visit is as comprehensive as the first and to see how much the capacitor declines after this summer’s power outages and going into the heating season. I don’t have to renew it so it’s money well spent in my mind. I’d only waste it on more bass fishing tackle or golf stuff.

Sounds good. Just let us know how it goes. Maybe we can learn something.

As fas as the capacitor goes, the reason why these devices go bad is from heat. Eventually the heat breaks them down over time. You want to catch it because when they go below spec, the compressor and or the fan motor will be working harder shortening their life. So in the long run you will be damaging expensive components just to save a few bucks on a new capacitor. The Sunshine tech did the right thing letting you know the capacitor was on the low end of the spec but it's up to you to authorize the replacement and as I said, $141 is reasonable because the capacitor is probably $65-$75 to purchase then something for installation.

[bp243]

Agreed which is why they should pay the price and have a reputable HVAC company check the system once a year or if they don't want to pay of feel the maintenance is not necessary, they need to know the facts and make the decision that's best for them.

If the word on the street is that MUNNS is increasing their service price, is there another HVAC company that anyone uses where the price will remain reasonable and the service is dependable? Would appreciate any feedback.

[jrref]

If the word on the street is that MUNNS is increasing their service price, is there another HVAC company that anyone uses where the price will remain reasonable and the service is dependable? Would appreciate any feedback.

I think better to say Munns is increasing their prices to better align with the competition being Sunshine and Sunkool. Any of these companies should do a great job with the price they charge and from customer reports, all are reputable and honest so no need to worry.

[Stu from NYC]

I think better to say Munns is increasing their prices to better align with the competition being Sunshine and Sunkool. Any of these companies should do a great job with the price they charge and from customer reports, all are reputable and honest so no need to worry.

I have had no problem with the overall quality of the work that Munn's did just thought them telling me they need a 45% price increase with no prior warning was out of line.

[Debset]

Great post.

Last week Munns was to come for pm (scheduled 6 months in advance) and the day before get reminder and by the way we are raising your price by 45% and seems like we did not tell you.

Since they did not think to tell us about increase and we are long term customers asked them to hold price for this trip. Told us no.

Told them to cancel and we are looking for replacement.

Call Jeff Cabral, HONEST, great service, reasonably priced and very reliable. He's done annual maintenance for the last 4 years, very happy.
352-559-9558
Cabral Heating and Air Conditioning | Sumter, Lake & Marion County (https://www.cabralheatingandair.com/)

[jrref]

I have had no problem with the overall quality of the work that Munn's did just thought them telling me they need a 45% price increase with no prior warning was out of line.

Something happened at Munns because we recently found out they are also not doing HVAC installs in the new builds for the Villages any more.

I'm wondering, is it possible they had a lot of techs that didn't meet the new administrations requirements and now they have to hire more techs which is costing them more thus the price increase in-line with the rest of the industry? Just a thought.

[CarlR33]

I have DeSantis out once a year. But I replace my own filters, and pour hot water down my condensation line every couple of months.

Something else I have, and have been suggesting to people, is to pick up a cheap rolling window AC when Ollie's or someone gets them and puts them on sale. I had one up north and brought it with me. So if my AC dies, I can at least cool the bedroom until I can get someone out, and I am not feeling pressured to take whatever price is offered to get my whole house running again. Also, when it's really hot and my whole house AC is struggling to keep up, I can use this to supplement. Especially if we have a bunch of people over.You can also get a window AC from most places and return it within thirty days (depending on the place) even if you used it. Had this happen up north one time and did this.

[retiredguy123]

You can also get a window AC from most places and return it within thirty days (depending on the place) even if you used it. Had this happen up north one time and did this.
Window AC units are not allowed in The Villages. Read your deed restriction document.

[Ptmcbriz]

I have Munn’s come twice a year at any cost. They hook up their laptop to it and run diagnostics and email a copy. Plus they take the housing off and clean things and flush the drain system with a pump. Small price to pay to make sure my AC lasts and never breaks in this heat. My unit is 4 years old and started this proactive maintenance the first year. I’ve had to replace units in past homes and want to push off that huge expense as long as possible.

[Ptmcbriz]

I've lived in Florida all my life. I don't know anyone who pays for preventative maintenance. They rinse off the coils a couple of times a year, dump vinegar in the return line a couple times a year, and replace the air filters every 90 days - that's it. We only have the AC guys come out when there is an issue.

Wrong. Munn’s hooks up a computer to the system and runs diagnostics and emails the results. Plus they pressure pump the drain among other things. All takes about 45 minutes. Everyone I know has their’s serviced. The only difference is if they do it once a year or twice a year.

[retiredguy123]

I have Munn’s come twice a year at any cost. They hook up their laptop to it and run diagnostics and email a copy. Plus they take the housing off and clean things and flush the drain system with a pump. Small price to pay to make sure my AC lasts and never breaks in this heat. My unit is 4 years old and started this proactive maintenance the first year. I’ve had to replace units in past homes and want to push off that huge expense as long as possible.
Nothing the technician does will ensure that your AC system will never break.

[retiredguy123]

Wrong. Munn’s hooks up a computer to the system and runs diagnostics and emails the results. Plus they pressure pump the drain among other things. All takes about 45 minutes. Everyone I know has their’s serviced. The only difference is if they do it once a year or twice a year.
I have never had my HVAC system maintained by a technician. And, as far as I know, there is no way to connect the system to a computer to run a diagnostic test. What information do you get from the email that they send?

[Bill14564]

Nothing the technician does will ensure that your AC system will never break.

Thoroughly cleaning the drain line will greatly reduce the risk of it clogging.

Measuring the capacitor will determine whether it is about to fail and facilitate replacing it before it does.

Checking the delta temperatures will reveal if the system is functioning optimally and will initiate a conversation about replacement before a complete failure.

Inspecting and cleaning the evaporator coils will improve efficiency, reduce electrical usage/cost, and detect premature corrosion.

None of these will ensure that the system never breaks but they all lower the risk of it breaking suddenly in the middle of a heatwave.

[Bill14564]

I have never had my HVAC system maintained by a technician. And, as far as I know, there is no way to connect the system to a computer to run a diagnostic test. What information do you get from the email that they send?

Mine has no connection either but I am not at all surprised to learn that newer systems do. It's probably a very inexpensive modification to have a pressure sensor changed from a binary good/bad to be calibrated and report the actual pressure. Temperature sensors before and after the evaporator coil could report delta temperatures. Ammeters and capacitance meters could be added to check current draw and the health of the capacitor.

[retiredguy123]

If you are only having maintenance performed once per year, that is not often enough to ensure that the condensate drain will not clog. And, you can easily clean the coils yourself. Also, I think the filter should be replaced at least every 6 months, and you can save money by buying and replacing your own filters. HVAC companies will charge at least $50 for a filter.

[Lancer]

Not really. I have never paid for any HVAC maintenance and my systems have all lasted at least 15 to 20 years, with no real issues.

It would interesting to know how many people, who pay for regular maintenance, have actually had the capacitor replaced during the maintenance visit, and how much extra they were charged.

Sunshine Air charged mine. $164.00 for a capacitor while on a maintenance visit. It was supposedly under warranty.

[crash]

It seems redundant to pay for maintenance on a system that is still covered by a full parts and labor warranty.
You don’t do maintenance on your car till the warranty dies. Believe that would violate your warranty.

[retiredguy123]

You don’t do maintenance on your car till the warranty dies. Believe that would violate your warranty.
I change the oil, but that is all. I have never had a problem enforcing the warranty.

[jrref]

Thoroughly cleaning the drain line will greatly reduce the risk of it clogging.

Measuring the capacitor will determine whether it is about to fail and facilitate replacing it before it does.

Checking the delta temperatures will reveal if the system is functioning optimally and will initiate a conversation about replacement before a complete failure.

Inspecting and cleaning the evaporator coils will improve efficiency, reduce electrical usage/cost, and detect premature corrosion.

None of these will ensure that the system never breaks but they all lower the risk of it breaking suddenly in the middle of a heatwave.

Exactly :icon_wink:

[jrref]

Mine has no connection either but I am not at all surprised to learn that newer systems do. It's probably a very inexpensive modification to have a pressure sensor changed from a binary good/bad to be calibrated and report the actual pressure. Temperature sensors before and after the evaporator coil could report delta temperatures. Ammeters and capacitance meters could be added to check current draw and the health of the capacitor.

As far as connecting "a computer" to your system, what that person was referring to is they usually have a tablet device where they login for your visit and enter all the readings they are measuring such as pressures and temperatures, super heat, sub cooling, fan motor current draw, capacitor reading, etc... They are not connecting to any electronics in you system because there are no computerized electronics in it to connect to.

The only time they can "connect" electronically to your system is if you have a Carrier Infinity system. That system has electronics in it that enables the technician connect to it via bluetooth and gather all the readings, load software if necessary, etc... This system also has electronics that monitor's itself to help the technician determine if there is a problem and how to approach fixing it. Very cool.

[jrref]

Another case in point where you want a professional to put gauges on your system to measure the pressures, temperatures, super heat and sub cooling.

When the refrigerant as a liquid goes into your evaporator coil in your air handler, as the hotter air from your home passes over the coil, that cold liquid changes to a gas. If you have a dirty filter, fan motor not running at spec. so there is inadequate air flow, faulty TXV valve, etc., the refrigerant will not change 100% to a gas and a gas/liquid refrigerant mixture will go back to your compressor and make it fail prematurely. Your system will seem like it's running just fine but in reality it's slowly dying. The only way to detect this is by looking at the super heat when measuring the refrigerant with gauges and checking the airflow and current draw of the fan in the air handler. So while most think they are taking good care of their system by changing filters, cleaning the condenser coil and condensate line, not checking the refrigerant which requires specialized equipment and knowledge on how to use it, and not taking certain amperage reading of the fan motors is hiding potential problems that could be shortening the life of your system.

But many will say "Wait a minute, I do minimal maintenance and my system has been running with minimal problems for 15 years". That may be the case but it may last even longer if you detect and fix some of these other common issues which can shorten the life of your system.

[retiredguy123]

Another case in point where you want a professional to put gauges on your system to measure the pressures, temperatures, super heat and sub cooling.

When the refrigerant as a liquid goes into your evaporator coil in your air handler, as the hotter air from your home passes over the coil, that cold liquid changes to a gas. If you have a dirty filter, fan motor not running at spec. so there is inadequate air flow, faulty TXV valve, etc., the refrigerant will not change 100% to a gas and a gas/liquid refrigerant mixture will go back to your compressor and make it fail prematurely. Your system will seem like it's running just fine but in reality it's slowly dying. The only way to detect this is by looking at the super heat when measuring the refrigerant with gauges and checking the airflow and current draw of the fan in the air handler. So while most think they are taking good care of their system by changing filters, cleaning the condenser coil and condensate line, not checking the refrigerant which requires specialized equipment and knowledge on how to use it, and not taking certain amperage reading of the fan motors is hiding potential problems that could be shortening the life of your system.

But many will say "Wait a minute, I do minimal maintenance and my system has been running with minimal problems for 15 years". That may be the case but it may last even longer if you detect and fix some of these other common issues which can shorten the life of your system.
I am not saying that regular maintenance does not help to diagnose some issues. But, in my opinion, regular maintenance is not worth the cost in terms of return on investment. It benefits the HVAC companies way more than the customers. The same AC systems are used around the world in countries that have worse weather conditions than The Villages, and most of those systems are never maintained. I lived in Saudi Arabia where the average daytime temperature was about 115 degrees, and they did no maintenance whatsoever. I think that spending $100 to $200 every year to have a technician spend an hour checking gauges is a waste of money. If the unit is running and I am comfortable, I'm happy. Can you provide any benefit-to-cost data to justify the cost of a regular maintenance program? I would also add that none of the HVAC companies who promote these maintenance programs offer a written guarantee of repairs or system longevity.

[jrref]

I am not saying that regular maintenance does not help to diagnose some issues. But, in my opinion, regular maintenance is not worth the cost in terms of return on investment. It benefits the HVAC companies way more than the customers. The same AC systems are used around the world in countries that have worse weather conditions than The Villages, and most of those systems are never maintained. I lived in Saudi Arabia where the average daytime temperature was about 115 degrees, and they did no maintenance whatsoever. I think that spending $100 to $200 every year to have a technician spend an hour checking gauges is a waste of money. If the unit is running and I am comfortable, I'm happy. Can you provide any benefit-to-cost data to justify the cost of a regular maintenance program? I would also add that none of the HVAC companies who promote these maintenance programs offer a written guarantee of repairs or system longevity.

Let me ask you, can you provide any benefit-to-cost data that doesn't justify the cost of a regular maintenance program?

But I see your point. What I disagree with is when you say spending money on having a professional check your system periodically is a waste of money.

I would have to go look for studies but you can go on Youtube and see tons of videos of HVAC repairs where the homeowner did no maintenance and the results.

Regardless, you just have to look at the science and engineering on how these systems work and how they typically fail to determine whether you think preventive maintenance helps prevent a failure and or prolongs the life of your system.

We can argue over preventing failures and I don't disagree, that's a whole other discussion but what we know for sure is depending on the maintenance you do or not, will have an effect on how long your system lasts. You can have what you think is a perfectly running unit, cooling the home just fine and have an electric bill that "looks" good but your system may not be running not as efficient as it could so you may be wasting money on excess energy exceeding the $200/year you could have spend making sure it's running efficiently. It's possible. I think out of all the discussion we have been having, this is the main point. And you can't know for sure unless you take some measurements because If your not testing, you are guessing.

[Bill14564]

Let me ask you, can you provide any benefit-to-cost data that doesn't justify the cost of a regular maintenance program?

But I see your point. What I disagree with is when you say spending money on having a professional check your system periodically is a waste of money.

I would have to go look for studies but you can go on Youtube and see tons of videos of HVAC repairs where the homeowner did no maintenance and the results.

Regardless, you just have to look at the science and engineering on how these systems work and how they typically fail to determine whether you think preventive maintenance helps prevent a failure and or prolongs the life of your system.

We can argue over preventing failures and I don't disagree, that's a whole other discussion but what we know for sure is depending on the maintenance you do or not, will have an effect on how long your system lasts. You can have what you think is a perfectly running unit, cooling the home just fine and have an electric bill that "looks" good but your system may not be running not as efficient as it could so you may be wasting money on excess energy exceeding the $200/year you could have spend making sure it's running efficiently. I think out of all the discussion we have been having, this is the main point. And you can't know for sure unless you take some measurements because If your not testing, you are guessing.

There is no end to the amount of money you can spend on periodic and preventive maintenance. If 12 months is acceptable and six months is recommended then three months is better yet. I can clean my own drain line but if it is not *professionally* cleaned then I'm at risk of it clogging within the next week. The washable filter I use is certainly not as good as the expensive filter on Amazon but even that is not as good as the OEM version. I could wait 20 years for the unit to become degraded but rather than take a chance that it is going to fail I should replace it at 15 years. And it goes on and on and on.

Benefit-to-cost when cost=$0 is immeasurable. The unit *is* going to fail sometime but I'll bet there are is no data to show how much time you will gain by spending $3,000+ on professional inspections.

These units require some minimal care and feeding. Replace the filter at recommended intervals. Flush the drain line once per month or be prepared to vacuum out a clog when it occurs. Have a spare capacitor ready or replace it every few (3? 4? 5?) years before it fails. Perhaps open the unit and spray cleaner on the evaporator coils or put an algicide tablet in the drain pan.

Beyond the steps above, the cost of inspections (not even maintenance, just inspections) increases greatly with little to no return. My unit is now 11 years old. If I had paid $150/year for inspections I would have $1,650 worth of assurances that the unit is still running fine. Yes, I was told once that the capacitor was out of spec but even had I not replace it, it still might be running fine.

Peace of mind is worth something, perhaps $150-$200 per year. If it makes you feel more comfortable to have someone check the unit, great, there's nothing wrong with that. But your fears are not my fears and while there really was a zebra running around downtown Murfreesboro that doesn't mean I should expect to see one in the Villages.

[retiredguy123]

Let me ask you, can you provide any benefit-to-cost data that doesn't justify the cost of a regular maintenance program?

But I see your point. What I disagree with is when you say spending money on having a professional check your system periodically is a waste of money.

I would have to go look for studies but you can go on Youtube and see tons of videos of HVAC repairs where the homeowner did no maintenance and the results.

Regardless, you just have to look at the science and engineering on how these systems work and how they typically fail to determine whether you think preventive maintenance helps prevent a failure and or prolongs the life of your system.

We can argue over preventing failures and I don't disagree, that's a whole other discussion but what we know for sure is depending on the maintenance you do or not, will have an effect on how long your system lasts. You can have what you think is a perfectly running unit, cooling the home just fine and have an electric bill that "looks" good but your system may not be running not as efficient as it could so you may be wasting money on excess energy exceeding the $200/year you could have spend making sure it's running efficiently. It's possible. I think out of all the discussion we have been having, this is the main point. And you can't know for sure unless you take some measurements because If your not testing, you are guessing.
You are correct that I am guessing. But, as an engineer, I do a certain amount of inspection and maintenance. If something doesn't seem right, I would call a technician.

I have a vehicle that cost 6 times as much as my HVAC system. I change the motor oil, tires, and brakes. That is all. To me, preventive maintenance is designed to make money for the people who sell it, not the customer.

There was another thread where people were recommending maintenance on a water heater. This is an appliance that costs about the same as a microwave oven. Definitely not worth maintaining.