14 years ago I installed a Rheem a/c in my home. I had occasional help from an a/c repairman from the neighborhood and he charged the system and started it up. Well, he moved away and I never had any checkups or preventive maintenance done beyond frequently cleaning the electro-static air cleaner myself. This week I hired a company to give my system a check up and everything was fine, no leaks and no fluid needed. He're my question. Are these frequent checkups suggested worth the money and is there a risk in letting someone touch the system when it's not needed?
Home A/C
- Thread starter OneEyeJack
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Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
Are these frequent checkups suggested worth the money and is there a risk in letting someone touch the system when it's not needed?
YES! There is!
The whole reason they do these check ups is to find something wrong, and then make sure it costs plenty to repair it, or worse they will break something that was perfectly fine so they can "fix" it.
If you are going to allow this make sure you stay with the tech the ENTIRE time and watch them carefully, you should at least know the very basics of how your HVAC works. Of course if you see them attempting to do something you feel uncomfortable with DO NOT LET THEM DO THE WORK.
My Dad let a tech spray a coil cleaner in the condensor box and it was not properly applied, the wrong product, or was not rinsed off thouroughly, it resulted in the coils being corroded away in just a couple of years, the previous 15 years they were clean, and corrosion free.
Are these frequent checkups suggested worth the money and is there a risk in letting someone touch the system when it's not needed?
YES! There is!
The whole reason they do these check ups is to find something wrong, and then make sure it costs plenty to repair it, or worse they will break something that was perfectly fine so they can "fix" it.
If you are going to allow this make sure you stay with the tech the ENTIRE time and watch them carefully, you should at least know the very basics of how your HVAC works. Of course if you see them attempting to do something you feel uncomfortable with DO NOT LET THEM DO THE WORK.
My Dad let a tech spray a coil cleaner in the condensor box and it was not properly applied, the wrong product, or was not rinsed off thouroughly, it resulted in the coils being corroded away in just a couple of years, the previous 15 years they were clean, and corrosion free.
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First thing in the spring, BEFORE you need to use it, rinse down the outside condensing unit coils from top to bottom with a garden hose sprayer to get the dirt off. Let the unit dry before you need to use it, & keep your air cleaner/filters clean. Anything else is a waste, and HVAC service companies use their LEAST EXPERIENCED techs for the unnecessary "checkups"-don't let them near it!
In addition to what bullwinkle suggested, I always flush out the condenser drain line. I stick a water hose in the end and push water in for about 10 secondes and then remove the hose. Always amazes me as to how much stuff comes out. Ed
Yep, +1 on cleaning the condensor coil....you should run water through it from the inside out and that also gives you an opportunity to lube the fan motor (if applicable). Prior to washing out, a good shop vac to get all the leaves and dead bugs out helps too.
Depending on where you live, thistle is starting to seed and they can clog a condensor quick.
Depending on where you live, thistle is starting to seed and they can clog a condensor quick.
Indoors, I would check the evaporator core and squirrel cage blower vanes for dirt, mold, hair, dust, etc. If they're dirty, they need to be cleaned either by you or someone else. Plus, the motor capacitor should be checked to see if it's still in spec. since it's now 14 yrs old.
Outdoors, any interior leaves/dead grass inside the unit needs to be vac'd out, meaning the top needs to be removed first. Then spray down the exterior coil surface with an aluminum-safe detergent (ie "coil cleaner"). Let it sit for about 10min, then flush out the coil from the inside out with clean water. Also check the fan & compressor capacitors to verify they're in spec. Also check to be sure the electrical wiring box inside isn't clogged with ants.....
I learned to do this on my own years ago. My system is currently 24yrs old and working great. I suggest picking up an A/C textbook from a used bookstore and reading up on it if interested.
Outdoors, any interior leaves/dead grass inside the unit needs to be vac'd out, meaning the top needs to be removed first. Then spray down the exterior coil surface with an aluminum-safe detergent (ie "coil cleaner"). Let it sit for about 10min, then flush out the coil from the inside out with clean water. Also check the fan & compressor capacitors to verify they're in spec. Also check to be sure the electrical wiring box inside isn't clogged with ants.....
I learned to do this on my own years ago. My system is currently 24yrs old and working great. I suggest picking up an A/C textbook from a used bookstore and reading up on it if interested.
I'd give it a good once-over in the spring and leave it at that unless there's a problem you're wanting to get fixed. A few cans of A/C coil cleaner and a garden hose will work for cleaning the condenser.
My new-to-me house's A/C condenser could have been mistaken for a compost pile since it had so many grass clippings clogging it. Cleaning it out along with the grimy squirrel-cage fan and the dusty evaporator core made a very noticeable difference in how the system operated.
My new-to-me house's A/C condenser could have been mistaken for a compost pile since it had so many grass clippings clogging it. Cleaning it out along with the grimy squirrel-cage fan and the dusty evaporator core made a very noticeable difference in how the system operated.
Same here, I don't let the AC folks touch my unit for their "maintenance". I make sure the condenser is cleaned every spring and change the furnace filters regularly. I also turn off the breaker during winter to prevent accidental AC activation during cold months as it can damage the compressor.
it is like running a car engine with low oil, some cars will go into limp and stop but others will go to pooooooooooop.
plus having an optimum fill of cooling gases will reduce your electric bill.
u can check the air temperature differential and figure out if your a/c is working optimally.
plus having an optimum fill of cooling gases will reduce your electric bill.
u can check the air temperature differential and figure out if your a/c is working optimally.
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