What do you think of having your AC inspected annually? Generally I feel like in the long run break fix is cheaper than paying every year. Lately I've heard several people say annual health check on AC lets them live a longer happier life. Thoughts?
AC annual maintenece
- Thread starter jhendric
- Start date
kbeefy
Well-known member
I think all they do is clean/inspect the coils and change the filter.
Aside from the bill I'm sure the average homeowner could accomplish the same thing.
Aside from the bill I'm sure the average homeowner could accomplish the same thing.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Agreed. Clean, inspect and replace filter is something the average homeowner can do easily enough. Although in many environments replacing the filter should be more frequent than only once a year.
At work we will hang the gauges on the units just to confirm charge and also put an amp clamp on the blower motor to watch for trends to eliminate bearing and/or motor failures but at times I wonder if that is overkill.
Jim greengo
Well-known member
I always tell people to check the filter once a month,rinse off the outside unit when you mow the grass.
Other than that call me when you have a problem.
Other than that call me when you have a problem.
kaffine
Well-known member
I prefer not connecting gauges to it unless I am looking at an issue. I'll clean off the outside coil, clean the drain line, and listen to the unit start up. My system monitors run time and says when to change the air filter. I've thought about taking current readings but am normally too lazy. I have thought about getting one of the electrical use monitors to see if they can detect issues with current draw on startup indicating the start cap is going out.
danski0224
Well-known member
An AC unit can appear to be functioning normally, but is actually extremely inefficient.
There is value to having it checked annually, if the person doing it does it correctly.
Something like a refrigerant leak will show up, and if a part is defective, it could be a partial warranty replacement vs all customer pay.
The problem is having it done correctly, and not just ring the doorbell and collect $29.95 for the "special".
There is value to having it checked annually, if the person doing it does it correctly.
Something like a refrigerant leak will show up, and if a part is defective, it could be a partial warranty replacement vs all customer pay.
The problem is having it done correctly, and not just ring the doorbell and collect $29.95 for the "special".
htmdude57
Well-known member
Clean indoor coil of dust and to stop any growth of mold, etc. Clean growths from condensate drain and trap.
Unless it is part of a service contract .... I leave them alone. Being OCD my personal properties get rinsed off when I'm around them with a hose. In the beginning of the summer I blast them when I'm cleaning the outdoor furniture for the season -- I use car wash/ wax for my general cleaning. I do a wipe down with quick wax before winter while doing other outside stuff.
karoc
Well-known member
The average homeowner can only tell the obvious things when checking. Oh look the filter is dirty, I'll change it. There's so much more to checking ac system both during spring and in fall. More important to have your furnace be it elec or gas. Cracks in heat exchanger will put carbon monoxide in air stream. Elec heat strips also needs to be check to keep chance of elec fire to from happening. Gages can tell you a lot, if you have a savvy tech. Grill temps, return air temps can also tell lot. For me I don't like to gamble, summers are killers here in Tx. I don't run roads anymore but I still check my systems.