--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math


"George E. Cawthon" wrote in message
...
I understand that service on some stuff is needed, but heck,
I don't do any service other than occasional cleaning on my
refrigerator or my freezer, and I don't do service on my
electric stove or microwave either.

Why do I need to do service every year on my A/C? Don't
they make a decent product, since it doesn't work as much as
my refrigerator?

Your refrigerator does not pass many thousands of CF of air though it
every month nor is half of it exposed to the elements outside your home.

After nearly 20 years I did have my A/C
serviced as part of a free deal for installing a gas
furnace. He cleaned the inside unit, and he cleaned the
outside unit (wasn't dirty because I keep it clean). Then
he measured the power draw and said it was probably failing
because it read low (low amps). He looked at the relay and
said it needed replacement which we declined at about $200,
and he oiled the motor.

If the relay failed, you would have been with A/C until you could get it
fixed. May not have been a problem for you, but it would sure have bothered
me. I am no pro and I don't know if a bad relay could damage other parts,
but in some equipment it can.

Two years later my wife heard the
gurgling at the furnance and the air didn't seem as cool as
before, so we called another person who looked it over,
didn't find anything indication of anything wrong with the
motor or relay, but added 1/2 pound of freon since the
pressure was a bit low. The last guy charged $55.

It sounds like he is a hack. If you needed freon, you have a leak. The
leak must be fixed. They don't use it, they loose it.

Now why
should I pay a capital cost $1400 and then spend over $2000
for maintenace ($100 a year for 20 plus years)?

Sure a gas furnace needs mainteance, but an electric furnace
doesn't.

Sure it does.

The guarantee however may be dependent on regular
maintenance. My furnace needed a new control board in the
first year and this year (nearly four years) it needed the
inductor motor resealed. I didn't have to pay for the call
because they agreed that regular maintenance would have made
any difference. And, the guy noted that the burners were
working properly and the flame sensor was clean. So I have
my choice, pay $105 for the furnace maintenance once a year,
or $85 twice a year for furnance and A/C. Doesn't sound
like a good deal to me.

Joseph Meehan wrote:

Don't forget one additional advantage of service contracts. It
helps
build a relationship with the provider. Then when the sudden heat spell
means everyone is calling to report a dead A/C, you should be nearer the
top
of the list.

For other people it may also mean they may get their unit inspected
more
often and not miss the failure about to happen or a dangerous situation.

That is not to say they are right for everyone. I am sure many are
nothing more than profit tricks and sales tricks by the provider. But
others are really legit.

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

"tflfb" wrote in message
...
Annual contracts are great for the homeowner that has a problem with
changing out the air filter, or washing out the outside coils of a
heat
pump / a c unit, or hasn't the time, tools or knowledge to oil a
motor, or
spot a potential visual problem.

The agreement also gives the home owner a brake on part replacement
cost,
and they normally provide you with faster service in the event of a
break
down.

On my last agreement they did change out the humidifier screen, a new
air
filter, a flame sensor indicator, oiled the furnace motor, checked the
heat
exchanger for cracks, checked the burn color of the flame. In the
spring
they oiled the outside unit motor, combed out the fins on the coils
( hail
damage), hooked up gauges to check the charge.

This cost was $165 a yr. Not to bad, I only did this one time in 10
yrs.,
due to the hail, as it was just as cheap to sign up for the agreement,
as
to
pay for a service call, and labor cost once on the job site.

I oil the motors myself, wash out the coils outside, as needed in the
summer, and changed out my filter monthly. The humidifier is not in
use as
I
maintain 30-35% in the winter. I remove and wipe off the flame sensor
a
couple of times a season on the furnace. I bought and maintain carbon
monoxide detectors. My owners manual only recommended oiling the
motors
every 3 yrs.

After about 5yrs on my new units I may have them serviced,( both
motors
require no oil) only to make sure they are working efficiently, the 10
yr.
parts and labor warranty should cover the rest. I will maintain the
outside
unit.( keep it clean )

My reason for this is I feel that the cost of the agreement, eats up
the
savings in utility cost, a no brainier.

Tom