"Travis Jordan" wrote"
"N.J. Crane" wrote:
I have a soon to be 5 year old Trane Air Conditioner. Is it necessary
to have service done at this time?

See your owner's manual for recommended maintenance (XR12 A/C excerpted
below). Some of the work can be done by the homeowner, some requires a
trained technician. If you don't consider yourself trained then you
should hire a contractor for the 'dealer' work.
/snip/

I should have added:

Be wary of contractors who say that you "need more refrigerant" or that they
"topped up the Freon".

Air conditioning systems are sealed systems and do not require replenishment
of the refrigerant. If refrigerant is added it is because:

A) You have a leak - and if your system has been running for five years it
is unlikely that it is leaking.

B) The system wasn't properly charged to begin with. Unlikely if the amount
of refrigerant added is more than a few ounces and it has been working OK
for the last five years.

C) The contractor thinks you are stupid and won't question the need to "add
a few pounds" of refrigerant.

Buyer beware.