HVAC maintenance quote differences in my area, are more expensive better?

[remagenman]

I called 4 different HVAC companies for a routine heat pump and furnace maintenance for my house and got 4 different quotes: $179, 189, 259, 279. So, do they do the exact same type of maintenance or does one skip out on some steps? Can I ask for a maintenance procedure worksheet to see what they do or is that just not protocol between customer and business?

I'd rather not pay to have a tech come out and spray coil cleaner and call it good and I wish I could just shadow a tech doing his maintenance so I can see what's really done, buy my own gauges and what-not and not have to call these techs again for routine stuff. I am pretty mechanically inclined and electrical savvy so I thought it couldn't be that hard, right?

Does anyone here service their own A/C units?

Are these prices just some places charging more for the same type of work?

Thanks.

ps, I'm in the PNW, 78 degrees today! Woo-hoo, no rain!

 

[Terry D]

I service my own. Ask them what work or checking that they will perform. Other then checking the charge and cleaning the condenser, changing the air filter, there isn't that much maintenance. No motors to oil or belts to check, unless it is a very old system. I defiantly would keep an extra capacitor on hand. The heat of the summer is when they will fail

 

[remagenman]

Thanks, I just opened the top of my heat pump unit today to see how dirty it might be and honestly shocked by how little there is inside, just a condenser really and the the cooling fins/radiator. some small leaves at the bottom of the tray and thats it, it's a relatively new unit (going on 6 years).

I saw the youtube video explaining why the capacitors blow out (stuck relay) plus he has a bunch of other informative videos. Just need to find a video explaining the charging system checks!

 

[karoc]

Back when I use to run roads doing service calls, lot of our business was just ac system checks. If the seasons was heating we would check out heating system, if it was cooling season then it be part see outside and check coil inside along with filter. We always explain to HO which lot time it was lady of house what we check and if any attention was needed to any problem area's. We take temps at furnace in front of the evaporator coil and at return before entering the furnace just to see what split is. Most time on a working system is 14-18 degrees since what we deal with mostly is cooling. In nut shell your in charge, ask question like what do I get for my money, can I look over your shoulder and have them explain what's up.
Now in your question here your asking about getting your heat/cooling check at same time. Companys may do that but its kinda a waste of time and money. Just because check your furnace in April and you don't use it again to say October and it doesn't work then there's chance your going to blame the HVAC company. Customers think they are saving money but they are not, having your system check according to the season. Now, when someone comes out to your house on a routine ac check and find a problem, keep in mind that is their job that is what you are paying them to do. I could go on with all this all over a simple ac check but this is enough to get you started.
Cost does not mean better service, nor does that mean one will give honest advice.

 

[slow]

one thing that can make a difference in the value, some companies put customers first priority on failures, no service call or a discount for repairs with the "service contracts" Personally, I do not have much trust in most HVAC companies, so I do my own maintenance, which consists of filters, spraying down the outside unit coils and flush the drain line/evap coil cleaner. With heatpumps here in FL, it is less complex than a furnace and ac system.

 

[bonneyman]

When I closed my HVAC business 6 years ago I was charging $70 plus parts for a service call. If I used turbine oil, a few wire nuts, or tap and caulk I didn't nickel and dime the customer to death. Only charged for cleaners, filers, and electrical parts. Just did my own mid summer switch-over on my house (shut down and drain evap cooler, clean cond coil, startup and check pressures and amps. plus filter in indoor unit. Took me about an hour - and I don't move as well as I used to. These modern prices of $200-300 for a start-up check makes me wonder how people can afford it.

Then again car repairs and plumbing service calls are $100 an hour - and I don't know how I'm gonna afford it!

Anyone with a mechanical aptitude can do most servicing on an A/C so long as you are OK around high voltage. You needn't worry too much if you keep the filters clean and pay attention to operational difference indicating a leak of freon or restriction in airflow.

 

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[Norcal]

A lot of service companies are flat rate, everything has a fixed price, they add up quick & it's a great money maker.

 

[metlmunchr]

Once a person gets a "heat pump tuneup", they should immediately call their favorite garage or car dealership and schedule a cigarette lighter tune-up for their car as both have approximately the same value.

If you change the filter monthly, with the air handler turned off so it doesn't **** half the dirt on the filter into the coil, and wash the outdoor coil annually with some multi purpose cleaner (not acidic coil cleaner) and a garden hose, you'll do yourself far more good than any $150 annual inspection will accomplish.

I've owned heat pumps since 1976. The following is every repair or replacement done since.

Bought new house in 76 with GE heat pump. Owned until mid-85. Replaced capacitor in outdoor unit.

Bought present house in 85. HW baseboard heat and no cooling. Installed Carrier split heat pump and duct system.
Replaced outdoor unit in 2002 when entire electrical connector blew out of compressor.
Replaced reversing valve around 2008.
Replaced indoor fan motor and capacitor in 2010.
Replaced compressor in 2018 due to mechanical failure. Flushed system and switched to R-407c refrigerant. Elected to do this rather than replacing entire system with 410a units at the time due to several other work related projects going on.

None of the above would have been prevented by any sort of inspection. If I'd spent an average of $100/year on inspections, that would total $4500, or over twice what I've spent on repairs and unit replacement. Keep it clean, and if it cools in the summer and heats in the winter, then let it run and keep your money in your pocket rather than blowing it on largely useless inspections and tune ups. Then, when it croaks, that money you didn't waste can go toward actual repairs.

 

[acmikee]

a typical commercial maintenance consists of changing the filter, inspecting and tightening electrical and inspecting contactor, inspecting evap and condensing coils , cycling in heat and cool and check temps coill cleaning is xtra
you also get priority when in brakes