[Tvflguy]

We have used Munns for our HVAC service since our house was built 11 years ago. Annual maintenance and emrg service (capacitor). Been very happy with them over the years...

BUT, when they called me a month ago to confirm our upcoming annual service, they informed me that the annual maint cost is going from $99 to $145 next time. Whaaaaat? 45% increase... I was not pleased at all. But they came out a few weeks ago and did a great ($99) job. The guy was here over an hour. When done he showed us pictures he took (about 15) of all the areas of our HVAC with before/after, like cleaning coils etc. ---good marketing to show why maint/cleaning is needed.... Paid the $99 happily.

I do the normal hot water in drain, filters, etc etc myself. He used a suction method to really clean as well.

My bottom line, as I like Munns - I will extend the annual maint to around 18months now. Basically the same cost but less often. I do like having the maint done by pros. Bottom line peace of mind.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Probably, if you want to keep the warranties.

[maistocars]

yes, by Munn's.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

Rule #1: Everything works until it doesn't, so regular maintenance helps prolong the working period until the day of doesn't.

Recommended? depends upon the individual.owner: DIY handy? motivated to do or not? reside all year round or not?

Advantages: having a maintenance contract MAY get you faster service if there is failure, you may get in line faster during the summer,

DISadvantages: depends upon your wealth level, your tolerance for the inconvenience of your lifestyle being interrupted, and your tolerance for strangers coming into your house, and your backup plan for being stuck in line during a weekend/holiday, etc when you are 57th in line in August

So pick your poison: .. . paying a bit a money for customer priority when there is a failure, or DIY save a bit of money and take your chances.

We had a something fail, i don't think it was the capacitor, as it was a copper link something something outside, the day before we had to leave. Sunshine came and fixed the issue that afternoon. . . and then installed the correct part when it came into inventory without coming into the house.

WE choose to have to pay to get in line faster when there is a failure, and chose to have someone else do the DIY stuff especially when we might not be home for several months at a time. .

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.

[Ptmcbriz]

Munn’s comes every 6 months to service our HVAC. They bring a laptop and hook it up to diagnostics and the report is with all the measurements in the system are emailed to you. They flush the system with a power suction pump, and take the casing off and clean and adjust things. That’s when they also change my filter. Same price if the come once a year or twice a year. It’s a small fee for an important item in your house. Money well spent as far as I’m concerned.

[ithos]

I agree that checking pressures with gages should not be part of routine maintenance. There are several methods to verify that the charge is adequate.

Keep It Sealed
After initial installation and system commissioning, there is no reason to install gauges. It runs the risk of creating leaks, losing refrigerant from installing and removing hoses, or otherwise accessing the sealed system and violating system integrity.
All information pertaining to the sealed system's performance can be accurately evaluated using temperatures alone with knowledge of design. A thorough understanding of system design and field practice of benchmarking systems will save time, increase equipment life, and reduce refrigerant emissions.
Checking The Charge Without Gauges | ACHR News

[TeresaE]

YES, Yes and Yes. We use Sun Kool maintenance plan. They come twice yearly and it has paid off. During our last scheduled maintenance, the technician found a part that was failing on our three year old air handler and replaced it. Now we don’t have to worry about the AC going out on Forth of July. (Yes that’s happened before) if there is a problem we are a priority. Always great service.

[roadrnnr]

Another Thing I forgot to mention is warranty is with Strada who installed it
First 5 years is parts and labor
Not sure how that impacts yearly service

[Regorp]

Originally Posted by 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

SunKool comes twice a year to clean and check unit for mold/efficiency inside and outside for around $200. We change filter as needed and flush with hot water monthly. Worth the price.

[DonnaNi4os]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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.

Oh boy can I tell you a SunKool nightmare. Consider what life would be like without air conditioning for 3 weeks in AUGUST and you have an idea of how incompetent their techs can be. It took a call to Carrier to get the needed part for my AC that was only 3 years old. Thankfully I was covered for parts and labor but I would run from SunKool! I now use One Hour Heating and Air.

[Buckeye Bill]

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.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Buckeye Bill

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.

A lot of what they charged you should have been free because you had already paid them to come to your house and check the system.

[jrref]

This whole question about connecting the gauges. So, it will tell you if you have a leak. If the leak is small your system will still run but eventually it will start blowing hot air. So if you know you have speak you can fix it before the whole system fails. Also, without checking the pressures, super heat and sub cooling with the gauges there is really no way to know if the system is running efficiently or if there is something else wrong. But as I mentioned if you have or get a carrier variable speed system you can get all this data from the app or the thermostat without connecting up gauges. The newer small wireless gauges don’t loose much Freon anyway but you are right. Why loose any at all.

[retiredguy123]

Can an annual or bi-annual inspection of your HVAC system detect an issue that may cause a failure? Yes, but it is unlikely. In 10 years, my system has experienced only one breakdown that was repaired within 3 hours, and it was fully covered by the warranty. In my opinion, the maintenance cost is not worth the benefit. This is especially true for systems that are still under warranty, which is usually 10 years for the parts. HVAC companies push maintenance agreements because that is how they make most of their profit. They can collect $100 to $200 in less than an hour without repairing anything, installing any parts, or assuming any risk.

Do you have an appliance expert come to your house every year to inspect your refrigerator? It has basically the same components and complexity as the HVAC system. And, if it breaks down, it usually takes longer to get repaired than an HVAC system.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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.

Not disagreeing, but I am not going to assume that there will always be that level of service available when i need it. . . TV is getting bigger every year, and no guarantees that the available service labor pool will keep up in rural central FL.