HVAC preventative maintenance costs? Worth it? (Gastonia, Gaston: house, purchases, inspector)

[FrankTheTank2]

I'm looking for some information on HVAC preventative maintenance, specifically average cost and is it worth it?

I tend to be the type of person who does not do preventative maintenance on my car or other large purchases and so far nothing has happened that would make me change my mind.

Any recommendations for a good HVAC service company? I have a Trane unit.

Thanks.

[cmhousesearch]

Originally Posted by FrankTheTank2

I'm looking for some information on HVAC preventative maintenance, specifically average cost and is it worth it?

I tend to be the type of person who does not do preventative maintenance on my car or other large purchases and so far nothing has happened that would make me change my mind.

Any recommendations for a good HVAC service company? I have a Trane unit.

Thanks.

I think it depends on how old your unit is. When we purchased our house, the inspector said the HVAC unit was close to "the end of its useful life" lol. We crossed our fingers, didn't do anything extra, and had another four years without any problems.

When it did croak, however, we purchased a new unit (Trane as well). We are on their maintenance plan where they come out several times a year to check everything. And of course, now the price escaped me, but I'll post when my mind comes back from weekend time.

We use Acosta, and I think they will service units even if they didn't install them (as will several other local HVAC companies).

In my opinion, if you're planning on being there for a while, it can't hurt to have preventative maintenance. I'd get some quotes from different companies, because they can vary greatly.

Even if it's someone that comes out once or twice a year to check on the unit, that may save you $$$ down the line, especially if you plan to be in your house for a while.

[uber_bwnage]

I use Gastonia Sheet Metal @ $14 a month.
They come twice a year and do their thing.

[lumbollo]

If you unit(s) are less than 10 years old, I don't see what they can do for you except to charge you money. Older than that, it's worth having your heat exchanger checked for cracking if you have gas heat. You only need this once/year.

Otherwise, if it is heating and cooling to your satisfaction, there isn't any maintenance you can do except to keep the filters changed, and keep the outside compressor unit clean and clear of vegetation. It's worth doing a visual check once/year to make sure the exhaust pipe is OK and you don't see anything like leaking water. I recommend the cheapest filters you can get but change them every 30 days or less when they are being used.

[Plan R]

I believe you can void warranty on newer units if you don't do the maintenance.

[bs13690]

It can also void your home warranty if you don't get the things checked yearly.

[drew0020]

Originally Posted by bs13690

It can also void your home warranty if you don't get the things checked yearly.

Is this a fact or conjecture? Wouldnt it depend on the make and model?

[Nativechief]

The main thing that this service does is to CLEAN THE CONDENSOR and evaporator so they will have a good flow of air through them. If you dont the system will be put under a strain and have to work harder, This can lead to the compressor overheating and you WILL PAY BIG BUCKS THEN..aLSO SOME MOTORS NEED TO BE OILED ,if not they will wear out sooner and more BIG bucks.....As far as freon you shouldnt ever need extra added unless you develope a leak. Shop for service or learn how to do this yourself. Its not that hard to do.As others said change the filters at least 2 times a year. Note that TRANE will NOT sell parts to the public but you can get any part you need from Dand L parts(monroe road and freedom drive much cheaper than Trane)

[lumbollo]

^I have never seen a furnace that specs twice a year filter changing. it should be done every 30 days. If you follow this, the interior coils will not need to be cleaned for a long time. Likewise, modern motors are sealed and don't need to be oiled. Maybe they exist, but if you do it to a motor that doesn't need it, you can damage it.

Amazing that you want people to learn to add freon but think that you need service to come out and spray off your compressor unit. Adding freon is the one time when you DO call in service because they will need to do a pressure check to make sure this is what needs to be fixed. I am willing to bet that most people don't have this equipment. Adding freon to a full unit can cause major problems.

[bs13690]

Originally Posted by drew0020

Is this a fact or conjecture? Wouldnt it depend on the make and model?

Fact. My home warranty would be void if I didn't do the maintenance checks.

I used the word "can", which denotes the possibility of it happening.