Annual Air Conditioner Service
 

We are looking for recommendations for someone who is reputable and does annual air conditioner service. We have always used Chuck Farrell in the past, but he doesn't service the South end of The Villages. We used Sunshine Air Conditioning last year, but all their service person was interested in was signing us up for an annual contract. We had to get really firm with him we weren't interested in any contract before he finally did the annual service check.

Thanks!

Pour hot water down the condensate drain every 2 months or so, replace the filter every 6 months, and check the outside unit for dirt accumulation. An annual service check-up is a waste of money. There is nothing they can do to prevent a system failure. But, if you don't believe it, hire Munn's.

Yep, Munn's would be my advice, if only for the piece of mind, and do it once a year.
I pay $99.00 once a year without air filter.

Hope someone can tip you off to a person with some ethics. We have used Chuck F. for years too. Just be as careful as you can, we have first hand knowledge of one firm that does do annual service and makes sure to "weaken" a component so it will give out a few weeks later. In this case, the service guy had NO IDEA my brother in law had been in the AC business 41 years in Florida, as he stood in the yard watching and chatting as the "service" person was doing the "check-up"... THEN he asked the guy, WHY in the world are you doing that with the "fins" (something about the fan or other part, I am not an expert myself !) and then asked WHY he was turning another part so far to one side, and the guy suddenly realized my BIL was a skilled AC guy ! He told us how many tricks there are for causing future problems, calls them Land Sharks, using Jimmy Buffet language. Do a LOT of investigating before you allow someone to work on yours only for "a check up". Have you thought about going over to Chuck's in person since you have a relationship established ? As him, or one of the boys or son in law personally ? I know when they are completely overwhelmed the do sometimes have to call another local Heat/AC business to take some of the overload calls... I doubt they call anyone that is unethical and could ruin their reputation, so you might ask ! Best to go in person, not just call the office perhaps ?

You tell it like it is, I like that, truthful advice for new people and those who have been here for years. Might add, a cup of vinegar, or 1/2 bleach added to the water helps and will not hurt anything, that drain in PVC. For those who like to buy things, they also sell rather expensive "tablets" you can drop down there once a month, same as hot water and vinegar, or hot water and bleach. If you want GREAT prices on really high end furnace filters, along with GREAT service by a family run, made in the USA business, check out Filterbuy.com. They have high MERV 13 for the best prices ever and all made right here. NO, I am not related and know no one who works there, just some of the best I've ever done business with and all USA made and employees, and the lowest prices for the best quality filters. Here in Florida, I order one day and they usually get here from Alabama the next day, no shipping fee.

Great tip!

Thank you very much!

I also use Filter Buy filters, but I order them from Amazon. I use the MERV 11 ones, which seem to have made a difference in the dust level in my house and the AC unit is quieter, as compared to the MERV 8 filters that most people use. I have not tried the MERV 13 filters.

Thanks! Also a great tip!
now I need to understand the MERV scale

Sun Kool.

I purchase filters online.

EXCELLENT ADVICE ! Just like "garage door" maintenance, regular and very easily a DIY chore that takes very little time and skill, AC unit major elements will fail and can't be prevented, while the things you listed will keep the unit working effectively. We have also been advised to add a cup of vinegar, or a half cup of bleach to that hot water, but hot water alone probably will take care of the mold accumulation in the drain pipe and prevent the condensation "back up" that can cause major damage to garage walls, the unit, etc. If you doubt your ability to do these easy simple things, watch a few Utube demos.

I recently asked Munn's a specific question about the condensate drain on their "ask the expert" section of their website. They actually called me back and told me that they used to recommend vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to flush the drain. But, they now only recommend plain water, and that this is endorsed by Carrier. They said to pour a gallon of hot tap water down the drain at least 4 times per year. Very few technicians recommend using bleach because the fumes can back up into the air handling unit and corrode the unit. Some people have said that they use boiling water, but this is not a good idea because PVC piping is only rated for up to 160 degrees.

Agree. Use Munns. I have them twice a year. I have a washable filter and wash it regularly, use a normal filter while the washable one is drying.

We use washable filter wash it every three months and very happy with it. Do not have to use a temporary one put it back in when it stops dripping.

EXCELLENT advice!
I always tell my customers to never use bleach for the same reason. No boiling water either. Tap hot is fine.