Originally Posted by Buckeye Bill (Post 2437587)

Hi neighbors, funny that this post came now. I had my yearly service system check this week and really feel it is a good thing as it might catch something early. Here’s the rub. During the check they tested the capacitor and noted that the reading was low for the 45 Herm leg just below the 5% limit. They said that it “should be ok but could go at any time” I decided that I would have it replaced just to be safe. I was quoted $247 for the new capacitor. At the time I had no idea how much it cost so I said go ahead. Being curious I decided to check on Youtube just what a capacitor was and what it did. Youtube has loads of information and it took me over an hour to hear/read the posts and didn’t even scratch the surface. Checked Amazon to see if they might by chance carry new capacitors. WOW did I get a surprise. My new $247 capacitor, the same one, brand, part number and code numbers cost $21. I think 1500% mark up is a little outrageous to say the least. Considering this is a plug and play part I’m thinking I’ll change it out myself from now on. I now stock in my little parts kit two brand new capacitors. This is a FYI post, in this day and age we really need to watch out for each other.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2437514)

My AC failed on a Saturday morning in July a few years ago. I called Munn's, and they had it repaired within 3 hours. No maintenance agreement. To me, a verbal promise to provide priority service with no consequences is worthless. Also, it can be argued that an unscrupulous contractor looking for new business will provide priority to non-customers to grow their business. If you don't have a maintenance agreement, there are at least 5 or more competent HVAC companies who you can call to get a repair.

Originally Posted by jrref (Post 2437353)

Are you sure it's $22? I saw their advertisement recently for $19.95. I remembe this because this is the same price that Earl Scheib would pant any car, any color in the 1960's.

Originally Posted by mrf6969 (Post 2437273)

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.

Originally Posted by Berwin (Post 2437700)

I combine cleaning my coffee maker with cleaning the condensate line. Once a month, I run a pot of 50-50 water and vinegar through the coffee maker and then pour it down the condensate line. Our service guy (we have a service contract) who comes twice a year said this was a good idea but straight out of the coffee maker might be a little too hot so I add a little cold water to the pot before pouring it down the condensate line.

Originally Posted by Berwin (Post 2437700)

I combine cleaning my coffee maker with cleaning the condensate line. Once a month, I run a pot of 50-50 water and vinegar through the coffee maker and then pour it down the condensate line. Our service guy (we have a service contract) who comes twice a year said this was a good idea but straight out of the coffee maker might be a little too hot so I add a little cold water to the pot before pouring it down the condensate line.

Originally Posted by jrref (Post 2437717)

Just FYI, anything acidic or bleach or anything corrosive is NOT supposed to be put down the condensate line because it can damage the air handler coil over time. I know many do this but it's not necessary. Just plain hot water will be fine.

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2437740)

That theory anticipates evaporation from the vinegar in the line making its way back up to the evaporator coil in enough concentration to cause corrosion.

Not all manufacturers and service companies believe there is a significant chance of this happening.

- A small amount of white vinegar (1/4 cup) is more likely to mix with the water in the line than it is to evaporate and come back up
- In normal operation, there will be be a significant amount of condensation flowing down the line further diluting the vinegar or pushing it out entirely
- The volume of air flowing through the evaporator coils is immensely larger than any vinegar fumes that might come back up the drain line.



The tablets help prevent growth in the pan itself and might help in the line. Certainly, the tablets will prevent anything from growing in the pan and running into the line.

Note that there are warning against using bleach-based tablets as they could cause corrosion.

The idea behind using vinegar is to lower the pH of the water in the line to kill any "sludge" and keep it from coming back.

Hot water will also help to kill growth in the line. The chlorine in our water might have a beneficial effect as well. Just doing something is a lot better than doing nothing and hoping for the best.

Originally Posted by jrref (Post 2437254)

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.