After going thru 3 homes and 4 different HVAC units and using at least 3 to 4 HVAC companies to do annual servicing what I have come to realize is this.
All will visually inspect furnace and/or AC and assist in clearing out derbies, vacuum out few areas and swap out air filter. They will check electrical connections and ensure all is tight and good. For AC, they will visually inspect the refrigerant line, outdoor unit for dirt (in grill), check if compressor / fan is working and decently clean and check the dual CAP if working as per specs. For furnace, they will check the flame sensor and clean it, visually inspect the quality of the flames and finally for either listen to and perhaps visually check the blower motor.
Each and every one of the contractors I used did at least these above. Those who are a little bit better went and did a CO2 analysis (heating), static pressure check (cooling), actual AMP draw and checked pressure of the refrigerant lines. This 2nd. part, whoever agreed to do it obviously charged per tune-up substantially more than those above and RIGHTLY SO.
Question I have is this: The 1st. part anyone and a decently educated HO can do. I don't see any reason why anyone would want to have a service contract twice and year for this rather basic part. Its the 2nd. part that makes sense to do. BUT: is it really required every year? For a relatively new system, i.e. 0 to 10 or 12 year old system I can't figure out why anyone would want to do this yearly. I'd even venture to say once every 3 years should be sufficient here.
I am guilty as did this yearly and carefully kept those printouts given to me as part of CO analysis and static pressure checks performed. Analyzing it I see hardly ANY deviation year after year.
I discussed this with someone I trust in HVAC industry. As per him - I am right. He said as long as installation has been done perfectly by a good installer, he sees no real reason to do these yearly maintenance stuff. All he said I really needed to do was change the filters. He said he checked a CAP and showed fine and very next day customer called to say blower no more running. Issue - the CAP died. A CAP can die ANY day. I asked him about CO analysis and static pressure. He went back to quality of install. If install is good static pressure across supply and return will be perfect AS LONG AS I CHANGE FILTERS. CO Analysis may show deviations but a large portion is on gas lines, pressure, etc. CO poisoning is something to worry about again due to bad filters, bad install, etc. He said he has seen best maintained systems fail right after a so called tune-up was done. Why? Save the money he said, keep it aside and use it instead when really something breaks in the HVAC.
Any thoughts?
All will visually inspect furnace and/or AC and assist in clearing out derbies, vacuum out few areas and swap out air filter. They will check electrical connections and ensure all is tight and good. For AC, they will visually inspect the refrigerant line, outdoor unit for dirt (in grill), check if compressor / fan is working and decently clean and check the dual CAP if working as per specs. For furnace, they will check the flame sensor and clean it, visually inspect the quality of the flames and finally for either listen to and perhaps visually check the blower motor.
Each and every one of the contractors I used did at least these above. Those who are a little bit better went and did a CO2 analysis (heating), static pressure check (cooling), actual AMP draw and checked pressure of the refrigerant lines. This 2nd. part, whoever agreed to do it obviously charged per tune-up substantially more than those above and RIGHTLY SO.
Question I have is this: The 1st. part anyone and a decently educated HO can do. I don't see any reason why anyone would want to have a service contract twice and year for this rather basic part. Its the 2nd. part that makes sense to do. BUT: is it really required every year? For a relatively new system, i.e. 0 to 10 or 12 year old system I can't figure out why anyone would want to do this yearly. I'd even venture to say once every 3 years should be sufficient here.
I am guilty as did this yearly and carefully kept those printouts given to me as part of CO analysis and static pressure checks performed. Analyzing it I see hardly ANY deviation year after year.
I discussed this with someone I trust in HVAC industry. As per him - I am right. He said as long as installation has been done perfectly by a good installer, he sees no real reason to do these yearly maintenance stuff. All he said I really needed to do was change the filters. He said he checked a CAP and showed fine and very next day customer called to say blower no more running. Issue - the CAP died. A CAP can die ANY day. I asked him about CO analysis and static pressure. He went back to quality of install. If install is good static pressure across supply and return will be perfect AS LONG AS I CHANGE FILTERS. CO Analysis may show deviations but a large portion is on gas lines, pressure, etc. CO poisoning is something to worry about again due to bad filters, bad install, etc. He said he has seen best maintained systems fail right after a so called tune-up was done. Why? Save the money he said, keep it aside and use it instead when really something breaks in the HVAC.
Any thoughts?
source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?2222427-DO-I-really-need-HVAC-maintenance-Spring-and-fall&goto=newpost
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