[roadrnnr]

New to Florida and whole house a/c.

Can some one tell me if a Yearly service is recommended on the Carrier units supplied in the new builds?

I use to get my furnace serviced up north yearly but how often do these A/C units need to be serviced and wondering what it entails?

Thanks

[jrref]

You are going to get responses that say yes, "I do it myself", all the way to I've never serviced my system and it's still going strong for 20 years.

The facts are:
1) You need to pour some hot water down the condensate line one a month.
2) Over time the start capacitor will start to wear out and need replacing.
3) You need to clean the outside condenser and inside evaporator coils at least once a year.
4) You will need to change the filter probably every 6 -12 months.
5) The freon level needs to be checked at once a year to make sure you don't have a leak.
6) You want to check the current draw on the Fan and Compressor once a year.

So, can you do this stuff yourself?
Yes for #1, #4, and maybe #3 & #6 but not #5 and #2 needs explanation.

For #2, Yes, you can wait for your system to stop running and go on Amazon and purchase and install a new start capacitor. But as the capacitor wears out, it puts additional strain on the compressor potentially shortening its life, so you want to test it and change it when it starts going out of spec... And yes, if you have a reputable HVAC company, they will tell you when the start capacitor is out of spec and recommend you change it. Also, there are the cheap $20 Chinese capacitors, and the more expensive $60+ American Made capacitors on Amazon. The Chinese ones will not last as long and you will be spending more money in the long run vs getting the better American made capacitor.

Unless you have the special gauges and know about refrigeration, #5 is not a DIY task. But with a sealed system you shouldn't be leaking any freon and you want to check the freon charge to make sure you don't have a leak. When you have a significant leak, the system will eventually just blow hot air. Generally, your HVAC system could develop a very small leak and freon will leak out over time.

Generally, most Villagers have a maintenance plan with a reputable HVAC contractor here in the Villages. But there are a significant number who do maintenance themselves and many who just ignore their system until it stops running.

So, does yearly maintenance prevent failures? Yes and no. You can prevent start capacitor failures, premature compressor and fan failures and leak failures, condensate drain failures, but no maintenance plan is going to guarantee no failures over time.

My opinion is, if you don't want to get caught in the heat of the summer with no A/C then get a maintenance contract with your favorite HVAC contractor. Talk to your friends and neighbors and see who they use. Avoid the "chuck with the truck" guys. If you like to gamble, then do nothing or DIY knowing that you are leaving out some critical checks.

Hope this helps.

[retiredguy123]

I have never paid anyone to "service" my HVAC system. I change my filters every six months, pour a gallon of hot water down the condensate drain about every three months, and make sure the outside condenser unit coils are clean. I think that most HVAC companies make most of their money on annual or bi-annual maintenence visits. However, I don't know of anything a technician can do that will prevent a failure or extend the life of the system. Note that many system failures are caused by a defective capacitor, but I don't know of any HVAC company who ever replaces the capacitor as a preventative maintenance measure.

Some people actually think that paying a company for regular maintenance will make them a priority customer when they need a repair, but I don't think this is true at all. Also, I have never seen a maintenance contract that guarantees any priority service to customers who have regular maintenance performed. I once asked Munn's if they provide any written agreement regarding their so-called priority list, and their response was that it is only a verbal promise.

[roadrnnr]

OK Thanks Guys Great info

I do the water down the drain once a month, Check and change the filter regularly
And am planning on getting a spare capacitor. I also clean the outside coils

So I guess I need to get the freon checked and air handler cleaned once a year

[Bill14564]

I have paid for service in the past but I still do much of it on my own. I am on the fence about paying for service in the future.

I have had two failures but the service would not have caught or prevented those. One was a failure of the expensive blower motor; I don't know what electronic component failed but it is not something they test (I've watched). The other problem was caused by an anole climbing behind a circuit board and shorting it out. In both cases Munn's came out the day I called and I was up and running by evening.

The service check did clue me in to a failing capacitor that I then replaced myself. Munn's would have charged me for it but another poster mentioned that SunKool replaced theirs for free. I believe I have the tools to check the capacitor myself but I also have a spare in the garage - if it seems to fail again then I'll swap in the spare to see if that fixes it before calling Munn's.

Changing the air filter regularly is something a homeowner can easily do.

Pouring hot water (maybe with a little vinegar or Dawn depending on who you ask) down the condensate line monthly is important. I was outside at 4am one morning attempting to get the clog out of my line. Five minutes on the first of every month pouring hot water is MUCH better than the alternative! (this also reminds me to tap on the hot water expansion tank in the same closet)

[retiredguy123]

Here is an easy tip. On a hot and humid day, check the outside unit suction pipe, which is the one with black insulation on it. When the AC is running, the pipe at the unit should be cold and wet. If it is not, you may have a problem with your refrigerant or your compressor.

[mrf6969]

For $100.00 annually, I see it as a no brainer to get this service performed. We use DeSantis as they installed units in both of our homes here in TV.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by roadrnnr

OK Thanks Guys Great info

I do the water down the drain once a month, Check and change the filter regularly
And am planning on getting a spare capacitor. I also clean the outside coils

So I guess I need to get the freon checked and air handler cleaned once a year

"Need" might be a bit strong and once per year might be more often than necessary. Opinions will vary. Those trying to sell you service will say it is essential. Those that have never had it done will say they have saved money by not paying for it.

My system is 11 years old and while the coolant has been checked, it has never been added. the inside coils have been cleaned twice in the last five years but I can't say whether that was needed or whether it was done because the technician was here and had the coils exposed anyway.

[Topspinmo]

My new carrier came with Chinese capacitors, so that meth out window on new units. I bet 90% made in China or elsewhere over seas? My last TRANE had Chinese capacitor over 9 years old. Capacitors can easily be checked with multimeter (Utube). You are right know way knowing if Freon low unless if not cooling efficient. They also check cooling efficiency and heat side in fall. Some homeowners can do most things on annual tune up. The problem I have some businesses look to scam non savvy customers when they get their foot inside house. So my advise find company that’s earned its trust. I prefer munns out of the other two I had. One company I wouldn’t let them change my water hose.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by mrf6969

For $100.00 annually, I see it as a no brainer to get this service performed. We use DeSantis as they installed units in both of our homes here in TV.

If you are only getting the condensate drain checked annually, that is not often enough. You need to be pouring hot water down the drain at least every 3 months. I think it is a good idea to replace the filter every 6 months. I use Merv 11 filters, which have made my house quieter and less dusty. I buy FilterBuy filters from Amazon. Also, if you are paying $100 for maintenance, I would ask them specifically what they are doing that will prevent your system from failing. Are they ever replacing the capacitor to avoid a failure?

[jrref]

Originally Posted by roadrnnr

OK Thanks Guys Great info

I do the water down the drain once a month, Check and change the filter regularly
And am planning on getting a spare capacitor. I also clean the outside coils

So I guess I need to get the freon checked and air handler cleaned once a year

Although the outside condensor coils will get more dirty than the inside evaporator coil, the evaporator coil can still get dirty needs to be cleaned. If your evaporator coil gets dirty, even a little, your efficiency will drop, maybe significantly because the coil won't remove the heat properly from the inside air passing through it. Also, while they have the air handler open, if you have a heat pump they will check to make sure your Auxillary heat is working as well and they will also check the reversing valve on the condensor to make sure that works as well.

So, to put things in perspective, although yearly maintenance can prevent some common failures there are some it can't. But for example, say your reversing valve on your heat pump, if you have a heat pump system, is stuck in the cooling position, if you don't check it during a maintenance, when you need heat, the system will fail or if your start capacitor is out of spec., it may still work but the first time we get some really hot weather it will fail because heat is what destroys this particular device so, in a sense you are preventing getting stuck for an emergency call. At the end of the day many don't really understand the complexity of your HVAC system and rely on doing some basic maintenance, which is fine, but in reality you need a professional from a reputable HVAC company to check the system and do any needed maintenance at least once a year if you want to reduce the risk of getting stuck at an inopportune time.

[mrf6969]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

If you are only getting the condensate drain checked annually, that is not often enough. You need to be pouring hot water down the drain at least every 3 months. I think it is a good idea to replace the filter every 6 months. I use Merv 11 filters, which have made my house quieter and less dusty. I buy FilterBuy filters from Amazon. Also, if you are paying $100 for maintenance, I would ask them specifically what they are doing that will prevent your system from failing. Are they ever replacing the capacitor to avoid a failure?

I do the condensate maintenance myself during the year. We have the HUGE April air filter system that we change once a year at $60.00 and then it is barely dirty. I watch them as they are very through in testing. They installed it so they know best.

[Risuli]

We pay for an annual service plan with Sunshine AC that includes furnace & A/C maintenance & system checks every 6 months. This also includes service discounts, no emergency service charges, and a promise to repair units within 24 hrs of an outage. It isn't all that expensive and I look at it as some insurance against getting stuck without A/C for more than a day due to a break down.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by jrref

Although the outside condensor coils will get more dirty than the inside evaporator coil, the evaporator coil can still get dirty needs to be cleaned. If your evaporator coil gets dirty, even a little, your efficiency will drop, maybe significantly because the coil won't remove the heat properly from the inside air passing through it. Also, while they have the air handler open, if you have a heat pump they will check to make sure your Auxillary heat is working as well and they will also check the reversing valve on the condensor to make sure that works as well.

So, to put things in perspective, although yearly maintenance can prevent some common failures there are some it can't. But for example, say your reversing valve on your heat pump, if you have a heat pump system, is stuck in the cooling position, if you don't check it during a maintenance, when you need heat, the system will fail or if your start capacitor is out of spec., it may still work but the first time we get some really hot weather it will fail because heat is what destroys this particular device so, in a sense you are preventing getting stuck for an emergency call. At the end of the day many don't really understand the complexity of your HVAC system and rely on doing some basic maintenance, which is fine, but in reality you need a professional from a reputable HVAC company to check the system and do any needed maintenance at least once a year if you want to reduce the risk of getting stuck at an inopportune time.

Are you sure that most HVAC companies check the items you mentioned in your post? And, if they do and they find an issue, do they repair it for free? If not, I think that some homeowners would feel scammed and refuse to pay for the repairs. I doubt that they send their best technicians for maintenance visits. On their website, Sunkool shows a 21-point checklist of items they perform, but I don't see these items listed. Also, if you read the list, I don't think they spend enough time at the house to perform all of the items on their list. Personally, I think most HVAC companies are more interested in getting the $100 or more maintenance fee. Some even recommend coming every 6 months. If I were trying to prevent failures, I would replace the start capacitor every 3 years or so, but I have not heard of a single company that does this. Call me skeptical.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Risuli

We pay for an annual service plan with Sunshine AC that includes furnace & A/C maintenance & system checks every 6 months. This also includes service discounts, no emergency service charges, and a promise to repair units within 24 hrs of an outage. It isn't all that expensive and I look at it as some insurance against getting stuck without A/C for more than a day due to a break down.

We also use Sunshine, the Tech's are professional and seem well trained. They spend about an hour going over the system.

So far, in 5 yrs, the Cap, expansion valve and blower motor have been replaced no charge under service contract/warranty.

Selling a rental home, the buyers home inspector flagged the HVAC temperature differential was less than 20 degrees at the room outlets.

Sunshine immediately sent the tech to check the system. He verified all was working in accordance with Mfg Spec and issued a report stating there is typically a 2-3 degree temperature drop in the attic duct work on a 95 degree day.

The builder only guarantees 15 degree drop measured at the room outlets.