[jrref]

Reasons why we really need a professional HVAC tech to do maintenance at least once a year.

Below are my reasons. List yours and for those who DIY and or for those who never have a professional look at their unit, tell us how old your system is, does it have a fur coat and how much it's costing to run an old system like that. Also, for those who have a tech come out multiple times a year, tell us how much you spend, if anything, when they come.

After reading lots of posts and doing a lot of research, if you have a basic single stage heat pump or A/C system, no gas furnace, there are basically only a couple of components.

1) Condenser compressor and fan and their associated start capacitors, contactor, some pressure switches and if you have a heat pump, then the control board for the reversing valve.
2) In the Air Handler you have the filter, blower motor, maybe a capacitor for the blower motor, auxillary heat coils, condensate drain and the TXV valve.
3) Inside your home yout have the thermostat.

Give all this, for those who are capable for DIY, you can change the capacitors or the contactor and maybe event the condenser fan motor when they fail. I think you can get the heat pump controller board on-line as well. You can clean your condenser coil and maintain your condensate drain.

BUT, what you probably can't do unless you invest in some equipment is check the refrigerant pressures, super heat and sub cooling. If you don't have a good meter, you can't test the capacitors to see when it's going out of spec..

If you want to get the most life out of your system, the refrigerant and the capacitors need to be checked. Why? Because a weak capacitor is putting extra strain on the compressor and or the fan motor. Just waiting for it to fail doesn't save money because your weak capacitors are damaging the compressor and or the fan and shortening their life. Although your system seems to be cooling just fine, and you shouldn't loose refrigerant with a sealed system, if you develop a small leak, over time the under charge will damage the compressor and shorten it's life. A dirty filter will restrict air flow over the evaporator coil effecting the level where the refrigerant changes from a liquid to a gas, potentially damaging the compressor. The same goes with a dirty condenser coil that develops a "fur coat". Your wife may like a fur coat but not your HVAC system.

For certain, cleaning your condenser coil once or twice a year along with making sure your air filter is clean and changed regularly and pouring hot water from the tap down your condensate drain will insure a good working system and unnecessary failures. This maintenance along with a once a year visit from a reputable professional is optimal to help increase the odds that your system will last a long time with minimal failures.

Just want to make a note, if you have a furnace, then although you can do some maintenance on it, I always recommend using a professional since no maintnenace or bad maintenance could cause problems such as release of carbon monoxide that can kill you and your family. You need a reputable professional to make sure your gas furnace is working properly.

[charles_2000]

I'm a big fan of DIY, I did proactively replace a 5 ton system and a mini-split before I moved to TV six months ago and I did buy all the HVAC tools. I guess I don't understand what your question is?
My system here is only 3 years old here in TV.
So I've clean the outside unit, keep the drain clean, changed the 5" filter, etc and just thought about adding an UV air scrubber.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by charles_2000

I'm a big fan of DIY, I did proactively replace a 5 ton system and a mini-split before I moved to TV six months ago and I did buy all the HVAC tools. I guess I don't understand what your question is?
My system here is only 3 years old here in TV.
So I've clean the outside unit, keep the drain clean, changed the 5" filter, etc and just thought about adding an UV air scrubber.

Since you have all the HVAC tools and have the knowledge to use them, then you are all set and probably don't need any professional maintenance since your are doing it yourself.

You are the first person I've ever known that has all the equipment and knowledge as a homeowner.

Most here in the Villages are not in your situation. Given your situation and experience, which part of the routine maintenance do you feel is the most important or do you feel everything is important?

[charles_2000]

One thing I find important. I installed a 5" x 20 x 25 filter on my last system and the 5" x20x20 that was already installed here in TV.
1. I stick with MERV 8 filters, with higher (11 & 13 MERV filters) can cause static air pressure/flow issues in your system.
2. You really need to buy or match your air filter size based on your systems. The size listed isn't the actual size and filter holders all seem to be slightly differnt sizes. My is a Ultravation 90-CF-052 Media holder, so I look that up on Amazon for an exact fit.

[jrref]

Yes I found the same. With my new Carrier Infinity system they installed a Toptech filter cabinet that takes 20x20x4 filters but only their filter fits perfectly. Others are either slightly smaller or too big. I always find it interesting that all the systems come with a 1 inch filter as standard with the system.

[jrref]

I think a lot of people no matter where you live are suspect about HVAC repairs and service because even a simple repair like changing the start capacitor out of warranty, even if they install the better and longer lasting one made in the USA that costs $65, you will probably get charged around $150-$200 and maybe more for the repair. Many say, "wait a minute". I can get a capacitor from Amazon or Ace in Wildwood for $15-$20 and sometimes Ace throws one in for free on a give-away day whether I need one or not. And it takes me less than 30 seconds to install it. So why do I have to pay my HVAC guy all that money for the repair? That said, these companies have a certain amount of overhead so if you want someone reliable and knowledgable to make a repair like this, it's going to have some "standard" cost. If they were to charge some very cheap price, they probably wouldn't be able to stay in business or they would be sending the landscaper to your home to do the repair on days where he or she has no grass to cut.

But all that said, if the tech is at your house doing maintenance and you are paying for the time for them to be there, they should just charge you for the part and some small amount for labor unless it's a big repair. It's not like they have to do a truck roll, take everything apart, diagnose and repair the problem right?

On my old Carrier system, Sunshine was here doing maintenance and they found and showed me the compressor start capacitor was out of spec.. They charged me $135 for the capacitor and the repair which I thought was very fair since they used a $65 Amrad made in USA capacitor not the cheap $10 Chinese capacitor that usually goes bad in a couple of years. They may be charging more now for that repair but I believe if you are honest and fair, you customers will trust you, keep you as their HVAC company and maybe send you some referrals.

[Michael G.]

Personally, there are things that I believe should be left up to the professionals, Munn's.
I also believe paying for servicing the most important appliance (My 3 year old Carrier HVAC system) is one of them.
Now, I do change the filter and do the hot water thing, but that's it.

If you feel confident to do the complete service yourself, more power to you.

[Switter]

Originally Posted by jrref

Yes I found the same. With my new Carrier Infinity system they installed a Toptech filter cabinet that takes 20x20x4 filters but only their filter fits perfectly. Others are either slightly smaller or too big. I always find it interesting that all the systems come with a 1 inch filter as standard with the system.

I had a new carrier furnace/AC installed which has the toptech filter cabinet and honestly, it kind of torqued me off when I found out it's proprietary. Had I known that in advance I would've seriously considered a different brand. I replaced two other furnaces in previous houses and was always able to use filters from retail stores.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Switter

I had a new carrier furnace/AC installed which has the toptech filter cabinet and honestly, it kind of torqued me off when I found out it's proprietary. Had I known that in advance I would've seriously considered a different brand. I replaced two other furnaces in previous houses and was always able to use filters from retail stores.

Agreed but most of these cabinets from other manufacturers have the same issue. There is no size standard. The Filterbuy and some other filter brands are slightly smaller and should fit in the Toptech cabinet. I found the company FastFilter sells the Toptech filters at the same price as the Filterbuy ones on Amazon so I just got the Toptech filters.

The key with these filter cabinets is you want one that has some insulation so it doesn't sweat, one that has a solid door unlike that ridiculous hinged door on my old system that would leak air and one where the filter sits properly so you don't get air bypassing around the filter. The Toptech has all these features just a tight tolerance on its filter size.

[Cliff Fr]

We do not live in The Villages. We have an Airtemp heat pump air conditioner. It has a scroll compressor which does not draw nearly as much electricity at startup and does not even have a start capacitor. I'm capable of cleaning the ac condenser etc. myself. It's not a complicated multistage unit and uses a basic thermostat yet it is very efficient.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Cliff Fr

We do not live in The Villages. We have an Airtemp heat pump air conditioner. It has a scroll compressor which does not draw nearly as much electricity at startup and does not even have a start capacitor. I'm capable of cleaning the ac condenser etc. myself. It's not a complicated multistage unit and uses a basic thermostat yet it is very efficient.

How old is your system and how are the refrigerant pressures?

[Risuli]

Originally Posted by jrref

I think a lot of people no matter where you live are suspect about HVAC repairs and service because even a simple repair like changing the start capacitor out of warranty, even if they install the better and longer lasting one made in the USA that costs $65...

On my old Carrier system, Sunshine was here doing maintenance and they found and showed me the compressor start capacitor was out of spec.. They charged me $135 for the capacitor and the repair which I thought was very fair since they used a $65 Amrad made in USA capacitor not the cheap $10 Chinese capacitor that usually goes bad in a couple of years. They may be charging more now for that repair but I believe if you are honest and fair, you customers will trust you, keep you as their HVAC company and maybe send you some referrals.

To your point, I've been with Sunshine AC's maintenance program with 6 month check ups since moving here in 2022 and continue with them. HOWEVER, after the first year they informed me that my A/C capacitor needing to be replaced which I had them do (as you mentioned $135 cost). Two visits later (1 year total), the HVAC tech tells me my A/C capacitor needs replaced! I question him and inform him that it was replaced 1 year ago by his firm. Suddenly, he tells me, "well, its good enough for now". Yeah, right. It's suddenly fine. So, while I have kept Sunshine, I have to question how honest some of their tech's actually are, but I think you find that in ALL of the HVAC firms.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by jrref

Yes I found the same. With my new Carrier Infinity system they installed a Toptech filter cabinet that takes 20x20x4 filters but only their filter fits perfectly. Others are either slightly smaller or too big. I always find it interesting that all the systems come with a 1 inch filter as standard with the system.

I have never seen a 1-inch filter on a Carrier unit except maybe in the manufactured houses on the north side. My Carrier unit uses a 4-inch thick filter and I have never used a Carrier filter. I buy "Filterbuy" filters from Amazon and they always fit just fine. Also, I have found that the MERV 11 filters make the house quieter and less dusty, and they do not negatively affect the AC system. Another choice is the Flanders filters sold at ACE Hardware, but I prefer to buy them from Amazon.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I have never seen a 1-inch filter on a Carrier unit except maybe in the manufactured houses on the north side. My Carrier unit uses a 4-inch thick filter and I have never used a Carrier filter. I buy "Filterbuy" filters from Amazon and they always fit just fine. Also, I have found that the MERV 11 filters make the house quieter and less dusty, and they do not negatively affect the AC system. Another choice is the Flanders filters sold at ACE Hardware, but I prefer to buy them from Amazon.

On the newer circa 2020 and newer, furnaces and air handlers from the carrier factory only have the 1 inch filter bay. Most HVAC companies upgrade these with a 4 inch filter cabinet. But as you are mentioning the older carrier systems did have the 4 inch filter bay with that crappy hinged door.

[Cliff Fr]

Originally Posted by jrref

How old is your system and how are the refrigerant pressures?

About 4 years old. Don't know what the pressures are but I do know that it works great. We have a 2000 sq. ft. 2 story log home with a full walkout basement. It keeps us very comfortable even in the hottest part of the day and it cycles on and off it doesn't run constantly. The installer told me that the new complicated multi speed high seer units rarely actually achieve the touted seer number. I'm ln an ac installer group on Facebook. Several pros on there have said that the new complicated units are a lot more prone to break downs and that parts and repairs are more expensive.