HVAC service question

[snyder]

We just had an hvac tech look at a 5 year old heat pump system with thoughts of getting a service plan put together. The system has not had any work since installed. It does function okay.
His quote was to clean indoor and outdoor coils $350. Each.
Replace capacitor and contractor for $115 each.
Wiring for 3 wire tstat $95.
Remove one pound of excess refigerant. $296.
He said it was overcharged.
Do the pros think this normal.
Oh, and $1100 for a led halo purifier thing.

 

[brewchief]

Coil cleaning seems high, at least for outdoor coil, it would be cleaned during a normal maintenance call, we get around 125$ for our annual maintenance.

Indoor coil cost might be in line depending on location and access, we rarely clean indoor coils since we install a good media filter on 99% of our jobs.

Why replace the capacitor and contactor.? Is the cap testing bad? Does the contactor have burnt or pitted contacts?

You can't tell if a unit is properly charged if it's dirty.

Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

 

[BillK]

Mine has been running for 23 years with absolutely no service. Replaced the evaporator coil about 7 years ago because the drain pan started leaking but thats it. If i remember correctly it was not dirty at all. I have only had to replace one capacitor in my life and that was on the unit at my shop about 3 years ago. I would certainly never do it as preventive maintenance. If you do anything buy a spare capacitor and just have it on hand. Probably $25 ? 10 minute job to replace it.

I am a firm believer of the "If it is working fine leave it alone" theory.

 

[acmikee]

wiring for 3 wire t-stat??
you can do your own coil cleaning use simple green and lots of water.
is the contactor pitted or burnt. if not buy a spare contactor and cap on line and put it in the control panel as a spare if you have a meter you can check the voltage drop on the contactor.
you cant tell if its over charged until you clean the coil then check your temps and pressure

 

[slow]

how would a new system get over charged if it was never worked on? Most systems are shipped with refrigerant correct? and a little may be added due to lineset length. Companies don't normally give away refrigerant do they?

I do not subscribe to the maintenance plan, but ours is used 12 months out of the year. your results may vary.

 

[RAM2940]

Did he say " This is a holdup"

 

[Showkey]

Did he say " This is a holdup"

Agree......^^^^^^^^^

It’s a working system...........A grand before the air purifier..........put..........that grand and another grand each year in the bank. (They will call back each and every year at those prices.) When the system craps in 3-10 years, you will have the cash to buy new or actually repair broken system.

Clean the system DIY.

 

[yeldogt]

So how does he know it's overcharged?

KISS ....if it's working .. leave it alone.

I give my AC units a bath with carwash that includes wax .. give the top some extra wax and any flat panel get wax as well.

 

[BillK]

Did he say " This is a holdup"

 

[LS6 Tommy]

He's nuts. First, how does he know it's overcharged if it needs coil cleaning? Second, condenser coil cleaning is 1 hour, tops. The LED halo thing is snake oil. You can't run a heat pump on a "three wire T-stat". It has to have at least 5 conductors. I'd contact another company for a second quote.

Tommy

 

[Rusty Fords]

we get around 125$ for our annual maintenance.
Indoor coil cost might be in line depending on location and access, we rarely clean indoor coils since we install a good media filter on 99% of our jobs.
Why replace the capacitor and contactor.?
You can't tell if a unit is properly charged if it's dirty.
Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

Smart man When I had my business I would charge $85 "summer tuneup" If the coil needed cleaning no extra. Good filter is the home owners best friend!!

wiring for 3 wire t-stat??

Whats this for as one member has stayed will not work on heat pump.

So how does he know it's overcharged?

I give my AC units a bath with carwash that includes wax .. give the top some extra wax and any flat panel get wax as well.

Dirty coils, plugged air filters, ice on coils or anything that reduces air flow will drastically change pressures and temperatures . If you were to just rinse your outdoor coil with simple green and lots of water as mentioned but may I add just thumb pressure on the garden hose to rinse off you don't want to bend any fins over.

The LED halo thing is snake oil. You can't run a heat pump on a "three wire T-stat". It has to have at least 5 conductors. I'd contact another company for a second quote.

Tommy

3 wire... as above, LED lights I never seen a difference myself had some people that swore by them but I don't have allergies.

Due to the Covid19 I imagine a lot of people are snatching these up I have been out of the country for about a year so I'm currently out of touch.

 

[Notgrownup]

I am by no way qualified to suggest any technical help but i will say, call someone else, I have a 17 year old Goodman system and it’s never had Freon added or removed... 1 capacitor replaced 10 years ago, get it looked at and cleaned every year for anywhere $125-$225.

 

[nadogail]

We just had an hvac tech look at a 5 year old heat pump system with thoughts of getting a service plan put together. The system has not had any work since installed. It does function okay. ..................

IMHO, If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Yes carefully clean the coil, but you don't need to buy the HVAC tech a nice vacation.

 

[ransil]

Cleaned my outside coil yesterday about an hours time using coil cleaner from Amazon, about the 3red year on the gallon 1 more to go.
For about $50 you can buy spare caps and contractors. They will go out on sunday or the hottest day of the year.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Jim greengo]

In 25 years of being in business I've never sold a service contract.
I've always told people to rinse the condensing unit off with a hose when they mow their grass,and check the filter once a month.
Use a good mid level filter,and call me if theres a problem.
No need to sell people a bunch of stuff they dont need ,happy customers are repeat customers.

 

[fitter30]

Contractors charge one of two ways flat rate or service call, time and materials. Sounds like this contractor is flat rate which i don't think it's honest. Talk with friends and coworkers for some recommendations.

Sent from my KFDOWI using Tapatalk