It is hard to believe but Summer will be here in about 9-10 months. My contractor said that I should have my central air unit inspected and "tuned-up" on an ANNUAL basis. Is this necessary? Or, is he simply trying to squeeze more money out of me? My central air unit is Amana, 14 SEER, Puron and heading into its second Summer.
Central Air
- Thread starter Rockslinger
- Start date
I've never heard of anyone doing annual tuning, but without maintainence the unit will lose efficiency. Servicing is pretty simple:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-maintain-an-air-conditioner.htm
http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-maintain-an-air-conditioner.htm
It's a scam.
Exactly what are they going to "tune up"?
If it doesn't work, you'll know it and you get it fixed.
I suppose they could put the gages on it and check the refridgerant levels, but if they're low, you're going to know it cause it won't work.
Knock on wood, I've had my central AC 12 years and no-ones every been called in to "tune up" anything and it it works as well as it did on day one. Assuming a hundred bucks a pop, that's 1,200 in pocket, not theirs. That buys a lot of repairs, which the thing would need whether I had it tuned up or not. If it majorly pops it's clock, I'll get another one.
All I do is keep the thing condensor unit clean outside, and change the filter inside.
Exactly what are they going to "tune up"?
If it doesn't work, you'll know it and you get it fixed.
I suppose they could put the gages on it and check the refridgerant levels, but if they're low, you're going to know it cause it won't work.
Knock on wood, I've had my central AC 12 years and no-ones every been called in to "tune up" anything and it it works as well as it did on day one. Assuming a hundred bucks a pop, that's 1,200 in pocket, not theirs. That buys a lot of repairs, which the thing would need whether I had it tuned up or not. If it majorly pops it's clock, I'll get another one.
All I do is keep the thing condensor unit clean outside, and change the filter inside.
Maybe every 5 years to oil the motor on the furnace, check the burners, and the coil on the AC...but that's about it.
You may void your warranty if you don't have it serviced... A little money now, a lot less headache later! Most service company's offer a discount if you book your appointment before the "season" actually starts...
Steph
416-966-6966
Steph
416-966-6966
It just amazes me the bullshit out there.
the how stuff works link is must have been written by a service company looking for work in the off season.
Here are the two most important words when it comes to maintaining a heating/air conditioning system.
Air Flow.
Change your indoor filter on a regular basis. Clean the evap coil before every cooling season, and make sure the condensate from the coil can drain properly.
Make sure the outdoor coil's fins are not damaged or blocked with debris(sticks, leaves).
the how stuff works link is must have been written by a service company looking for work in the off season.
Here are the two most important words when it comes to maintaining a heating/air conditioning system.
Air Flow.
Change your indoor filter on a regular basis. Clean the evap coil before every cooling season, and make sure the condensate from the coil can drain properly.
Make sure the outdoor coil's fins are not damaged or blocked with debris(sticks, leaves).
How exactly are you supposed to clean the evapourator?
It's fully enclosed within the air plenum. There is no access typically that I've ever seen unless you want to cut some kind of door into the ducting.
It's fully enclosed within the air plenum. There is no access typically that I've ever seen unless you want to cut some kind of door into the ducting.
with central air air flow is the only thing to worry about. The refridgerant is a sealed system and the level should never change if it does you have a serious problem.
1) examinen the external unit, make sure the exterior is clear of garbage like leaves and newspapers etc. Hose it off with your garden hose don't use a pressure washer you could bend the cooling finns.
2) Change or clean your air filter inside.
3) Start the unit stand beside it and listen for any funny noises, squealing knocking etc. If you have a funny noise now you call the service company.
4) After running the unit for a few minutes and no funny noises go inside and make sure that you have cold air . If you do good if not call the service company
1) examinen the external unit, make sure the exterior is clear of garbage like leaves and newspapers etc. Hose it off with your garden hose don't use a pressure washer you could bend the cooling finns.
2) Change or clean your air filter inside.
3) Start the unit stand beside it and listen for any funny noises, squealing knocking etc. If you have a funny noise now you call the service company.
4) After running the unit for a few minutes and no funny noises go inside and make sure that you have cold air . If you do good if not call the service company
If the installing contractor was not a lazy bastard, he would have left an access port in the plenum to insert a vacuum cleaner nozzle into, which then can be re-sealed using some s-cleat and some foil tape.james t kirk said:
That's the difference between someone doing a hack job, and a real pro.
I learned from a real pro.
The guys who installed my furnace and AC - West End Heating were the biggest bunch of fools I have ever hired in my life to do anything.The Cunning Linguist said:
If anyone is even thinking of HVAC - stay away from them. Assuming that they are still in business and still being run by Fred the mad square head.
Some more little things I learned when I was apprenticing.
When you go into an unfinished basement, check the corners of the drive cleat that support the square duct to the joists. I was taught always to snip/round them off so they wouldn't catch anybodys hand who was working on the ceiling after you.
Check for gaps around the plenum, where it fits onto the furnace. I was taught to always seal that neatly with silver foil tape, as well as any takeoffs from the plenum. There's a lot static pressure built up in there, just looking for a place to escape(along with the cool or hot air you're trying to push sometime 40 feet away from the furnace.)
Check the number of screws where the register boots attach to the round pipe. Some guys don't even bother, and they can fall apart in a concealed space. I was taught to use three screws to secure the boot to the pipe.
It's the little things....
When you go into an unfinished basement, check the corners of the drive cleat that support the square duct to the joists. I was taught always to snip/round them off so they wouldn't catch anybodys hand who was working on the ceiling after you.
Check for gaps around the plenum, where it fits onto the furnace. I was taught to always seal that neatly with silver foil tape, as well as any takeoffs from the plenum. There's a lot static pressure built up in there, just looking for a place to escape(along with the cool or hot air you're trying to push sometime 40 feet away from the furnace.)
Check the number of screws where the register boots attach to the round pipe. Some guys don't even bother, and they can fall apart in a concealed space. I was taught to use three screws to secure the boot to the pipe.
It's the little things....
