[CFrance]

Originally Posted by courtyard

We've had our service for 7 years, and they come by twice a year. So far they've replaced our capacitor for free just to be proactive in case anything would go wrong in the future. Lately, they replaced for free a very rusted out AC coil, which took 3 hours to do. So far, very happy with their work.

I'd be interested to know what company that was, and how much it cost to replace the AC coil. Sun Cool is telling us we should think about replacing our whole system and showed us our AC coil with some rust on it. They said +/-$1700 to replace the coils and +/-$3500 for the outside part. But they want $7500 to replace the whole system. We think not. It's 9 years old.


We're thinking about changing the maintenance over to Chuck Farrel, if he has a program.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I'd be interested to know what company that was, and how much it cost to replace the AC coil. Sun Cool is telling us we should think about replacing our whole system and showed us our AC coil with some rust on it. They said +/-$1700 to replace the coils and +/-$3500 for the outside part. But they want $7500 to replace the whole system. We think not. It's 9 years old.


We're thinking about changing the maintenance over to Chuck Farrel, if he has a program.

If they are servicing your system, why did it rust? Sun Kool's 21 point HVAC tune-up says that they will apply a foam spray to the inside unit coils and wash and "wax" the outside unit. I have never heard of waxing an air conditioner. Is it possible that their foam spray caused the rust? They also say that they will "visually" inspect for refrigerant leaks. I don't think you can actually see a small refrigerant leak. The 21 point tune-up says nothing about inspecting or proactively replacing the capacitor, which is the most vulnerable part in your system. But, I have not found any company's HVAC service tune-up that includes proactively replacing the capacitor as part of a regular maintenance service.

[BRK1939]

There are many services that I hesitate to pay for as basically "insurance" but twice a year with Sunkool I view as mandatory because of the duty cycle that our A/C unit has to meet here in Florida, basically all day every day for months on end ! So far so good.

[Ismay]

this past weekend we recently experienced a difficulty with our AC and called the company whose sticker was on our unit. we moved in in November and never got around to having the unit serviced Charlie from Holiday came out and did a service for us got us back up and running and we have a contract with Holiday for 150 for two times a year cleaning and service very happy with the company.

Originally Posted by FromDC

We have been with the same company for 7 years and have always paid for a twice a year maintenance contract for $217. Now, they are only offering a once a year contract for $187. I am all for saving money, but I think our HVAC systems should be inspected and serviced twice a year. How often do you have your's checked out?

[cherylncliff]

I believe that to maintain your warranty, you have to have it "serviced"/inspected at least once a year. We had once a year for years 1-8 and have now gone to twice a year as the demands of heating and cooling put different stresses on the system. If maintenance work is done, the waranty covers parts but not the labor but with the annual maintenance contract they also offset the labor cost.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by cherylncliff

I believe that to maintain your warranty, you have to have it "serviced"/inspected at least once a year. We had once a year for years 1-8 and have now gone to twice a year as the demands of heating and cooling put different stresses on the system. If maintenance work is done, the waranty covers parts but not the labor but with the annual maintenance contract they also offset the labor cost.

My Carrier system warranty does not require any service or inspection. The unit is about 4 years old, and Munns replaced a defective capacitor a few months ago. There was no charge because of the 5 year parts and labor warranty. I called them on a Saturday morning and they were at my house within 3 hours, even though I don't have a service contract with them.

[bgamble3]

On my rental properties, I have twice a year maintenance service contracts. Renters don't tend to change filters and pour vinegar down the drain line as requested. The inspections also let me know the condition of the units and they have prevented improper use. I also have them check mine twice a year even though I change filters and use the vinegar. I use All Weather Heating and A/C. Worth the insurance of about $217.00 each. Also no service call if I get a service complaint from a tenant or I need them to check something.

[mark100]

Twice a year. We use Sun Kool.

[EdFNJ]

Our air-handler has a UV bulb inside installed by original owner that goes on when system is running. I replaced the bulb recently when checking out the inside of the air-handler since it (the bulb) was probably over 10 years old but was still working. Question is, does that UV bulb really serve any useful purpose in the air handler ? I understand what it is SUPPOSED to do but not sure it really helps. Reading online it says "UV lights kill microbes, mold spores and viruses in air-handlers" but generally in relation to hospitals. Never heard much discussion about their usefulness in home systems. Everything I read about them is from some company who sells them.

[courtyard]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

If they are servicing your system, why did it rust? Sun Kool's 21 point HVAC tune-up says that they will apply a foam spray to the inside unit coils and wash and "wax" the outside unit. I have never heard of waxing an air conditioner. Is it possible that their foam spray caused the rust? They also say that they will "visually" inspect for refrigerant leaks. I don't think you can actually see a small refrigerant leak. The 21 point tune-up says nothing about inspecting or proactively replacing the capacitor, which is the most vulnerable part in your system. But, I have not found any company's HVAC service tune-up that includes proactively replacing the capacitor as part of a regular maintenance service.

Sun Kool proactively replaced our capacitor during a semi-annual check up. Last year, when we checked on our filter, we found it soaking wet. We called Sun Kool and they replaced the very rusted out coil, free of charge.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by courtyard

Sun Kool proactively replaced our capacitor during a semi-annual check up. Last year, when we checked on our filter, we found it soaking wet. We called Sun Kool and they replaced the very rusted out coil, free of charge.

It's interesting that Post No. 31 says that the same company wanted to charge $1,700 to replace the coil. Is your system still under warranty? And, I wonder why the coil would be rusted out so quickly if they are inspecting and cleaning it with foam every 6 months. The coil is supposed to be able to tolerate a certain amount of moisture without rusting. The wet filter must have been caused by a leak in the condensate drain pan. My system is more than 4 years old, and the evaporator coil looks brand new and has never been cleaned.

[Keninches]

The HVAC companies have a money maker going. Normal use even in Florida should not require much maintenance. Ours is 20, a Trane and still going strong. Lots of wasted money on unneeded service contracts.

[Craig Vernon]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I have never paid anyone to service my HVAC system. I think that the only things you can do to prevent a failure or to extend the life of your system are to replace the filter, add vinegar or flush out the condensate line, and make sure the outside unit coils do not get dirty. Do these things yourself on a regular basis, and there is no need to pay an HVAC technician to come to your house for a "tune up" or whatever service they call it.

Your air conditioning system is a sealed system there is nothing to service. The air handler if electric or the furnace if gas are also sealed bearing and fixed systems that require no maintenance. Rinse the fins top to bottom on your outside unit with a hose and keep your drains clean. 30 years experience heating and ac. Save the service money and get your next unit for free...

[NoMoSno]

I'm glad I had service this year. The 2 yr old unit was 10% low on freon.
It's such a small leak they weren't able to pinpoint the location at this time.
Chuck Farrell didn't want to start arbitrarily replacing parts.
They will be back out in the colder months when they can get more accurate readings.