Help with my a/c, please (Phoenix: how much, Home Depot, shop)

[KarmaPhx]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Duct cleaning is a scam.

Yup, it's not needed here. Just replace your filter, and get someone to come check out your A/C for performance/leaks/issues, shouldn't cost more than $100 to check it out.

[MotleyCrew]

We used Sierra, now called At Ease Air conditioning and they were good. We did get the ducts cleaned and we followed the kid around for an hour watching him. The cigarette smoke was not as nasty coming out of the vents. Up to you, may be it is not necessary and you can just have it oiled and polished.

[lildevil01]

I have yet to find a honest HVAC Contractor . In July I had a new AC unit installed, it was a home warranty deal , The techs did a great job the problem is the company that did the install incorrectly charged me portion on covered cost and I have been trying since then to get my refund. I am now to the point I am going to file a complaint against the contractor and also take them to court for the money. I have asked the warranty company to help they have told the contractor to please make payment, they have still not made it . So I told them I would not be renewing my warranty .

[Home_Kid]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

Yup, it's not needed here. Just replace your filter, and get someone to come check out your A/C for performance/leaks/issues, shouldn't cost more than $100 to check it out.

it really depends. a system that was using the very cheap filters for 10 years might actually need some duct cleaning. over time the dirt can peel and chunk off into the air stream.

if it is of concern i would at least have someone stick a flexi-camera in some ducts to see how dirty they are, then decide from there is cleaning is required. a good hvac company would do this.

i am using middle of the line filters and every 90 days they are rather dirty. i might go back to 60 day intervals. the better filters make the fan run less efficient due to their restriction on the air flow, but they do filter better. for someone who has is sensitive to dust (allergens) i would use the better filters.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Home_Kid

it really depends. a system that was using the very cheap filters for 10 years might actually need some duct cleaning. over time the dirt can peel and chunk off into the air stream.

if it is of concern i would at least have someone stick a flexi-camera in some ducts to see how dirty they are, then decide from there is cleaning is required. a good hvac company would do this.

i am using middle of the line filters and every 90 days they are rather dirty. i might go back to 60 day intervals. the better filters make the fan run less efficient due to their restriction on the air flow, but they do filter better. for someone who has is sensitive to dust (allergens) i would use the better filters.

My MIL in Sun City bought a house that has an electronic whole house filter built into the air return (just above the grate). I don't know how restrictive that is but I bet it does a much better job than the replaceable filters do. One can also get HEPA room filters and again, that is probably a better way to achieve the allergen reduction.

[Home_Kid]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

My MIL in Sun City bought a house that has an electronic whole house filter built into the air return (just above the grate). I don't know how restrictive that is but I bet it does a much better job than the replaceable filters do. One can also get HEPA room filters and again, that is probably a better way to achieve the allergen reduction.

its hard for a single room device to filter the air of a 2700+ sq.ft. home. allowing the hvac system to filter makes it easier. but yes, using other devices to supplement the hvac is good, but probably will cost some more.

[fromcotoaz]

Originally Posted by zoran

We've had a/c in our first house for 25 yrs and never cleaned the ducts whether we ran the furnace or the a/c. We've been in our present home 17 yrs and have had a/c here also. Never cleaned the ducts.
. . . And with an a/c I don't think you have to worry about mold since it removes humidity from the house as it runs.

Sheesh, this guy was telling me that he'd come back every year to clean the ducts for ONLY $110 if I did his $1500 job first. Boy am I glad I didn't fall for that.

Thank you, everyone, for your information and referrals. I'm glad to know that the maintenance on the a/c units shouldn't be difficult or expensive at all.

[KarmaPhx]

I replace my bottom of the line filter every 2-3 weeks at my apartment, if I wait any longer it makes the coil freeze over.

[Steerpike]

Originally Posted by lildevil01

I have yet to find a honest HVAC Contractor . In July I had a new AC unit installed, it was a home warranty deal , The techs did a great job the problem is the company that did the install incorrectly charged me portion on covered cost and I have been trying since then to get my refund. I am now to the point I am going to file a complaint against the contractor and also take them to court for the money. I have asked the warranty company to help they have told the contractor to please make payment, they have still not made it . So I told them I would not be renewing my warranty .

Would you care to tell us (or me, via PM) who the company was? I've just bought a place, and the a/c unit is not working properly so I'm going down the path of filing a claim.

Regarding mold/etc - I realize the a/c's job is to dry out the air (or at least ... a side effect!) but the coil does condense out some water, and that can fall into the air return system; could that be where the 'mold' issue is a potential issue? In my current apartment, there is a bucket placed under the unit, inside the air return cavity, and when I changed my filter last time the filter was wet and had water stains on it - probably all signs of a badly adjusted unit, of course! I'm moving out next month so of only academic interest at this point!

[bobhertzog]

Call Paul Rideout at Rideout AC. Family-owned, no b.s. Our family has used him for years, and he is very fair.