What's a reasonable price for a 5 year A/C plan? (Happy: house, where to buy)

[TXtrkgrl]

Originally Posted by winst0n

i got the 10 yr warranty for about 1800 from airtron, that includes twice a year of maintenance service, aside from if it actually breaks... and it is transferable to the next owner if you sell your house...

Sorry, I got off topic there for a minute.
Back on topic. So what if it actually breaks..... what is covered? I am also curious as to what they do on their twice a year maintenance visits?

[scuba steve]

I was thinking... are these warranties an extension to the manufacturer's warranty? Because a unit has to have one from the factory for at least a while... If someone can extend it a decade beyond that for however much that might not be a bad deal because at some point they reach the end of life. Of course they may not cover replacement if it really starts going down; only keeping an ever-aging unit running.

[tekka-maki]

Originally Posted by TXtrkgrl

No 5 ton is max. That is pushing it for 2700 sq ft, but if you are well insulated, shaded, minimum windows facing west then you should be fine.

Is your unit a heat pump?

My home is 2538sqft but only 1923 sqft of air conditioned space (i.e. no garage or porch coverage). Would you say I'm pushing it with a 3 to 3 1/2 ton unit? It seems to cool adequately at 76 degrees (much worse before they did a discharge/recharge last Sept); 1st story always stays cooler though and on a hot day, the unit will stay on for the majority of time. I also have 3 windows facing west which don't help and a game room on top of the garage. I change filters regularly, but boy was the filter filthy when I moved in from all the sheetrock and building debris.. I also had a blower wheel in the attic that died a rather hasty death (less than one year old). What does your hubby think about that and what is his company?


BTW, I have a heat pump as well but I have two modes of heat; one is emergency heat and the other is regular. I've been told conflicting stories as to when I should emergency heat, but I imagine that is for a freezing day if ice builds up on the unit...

Thanks in advance!

[rd2007]

that would suck if it took them that much $ to figure out they forgot to install something.. it's a blue sorta cylindrical tank looking thing attached to some copper pipe. My warranty covered everything, including them coming over and adding some freon while they waited for the part to come in and the maintenance keeps things clean, especially your drain pan. You can also keep the pan flow pipe clean by pouring down some vinegar. Mine backed up the other day and that cleared it out. It'll kill some grass wherever your unit drains though..

for that other question, the labor is what will kill you in rapairs. The parts aren't cheap, but the labor is MUCH more expensive and the man. warranty usually only covers hardware.

[tekka-maki]

Originally Posted by scuba steve

I was thinking... are these warranties an extension to the manufacturer's warranty? Because a unit has to have one from the factory for at least a while... If someone can extend it a decade beyond that for however much that might not be a bad deal because at some point they reach the end of life. Of course they may not cover replacement if it really starts going down; only keeping an ever-aging unit running.

My goodman has 5 years on parts from the manufacturer.

[tekka-maki]

Originally Posted by rd2007

You can also keep the pan flow pipe clean by pouring down some vinegar. Mine backed up the other day and that cleared it out. It'll kill some grass wherever your unit drains though..

I do this periodically as instructed by the inspector upon moving in. But then the AC tech came by for a service call and said it's not recommended every month but every few months and too make sure a dilute a gallon of water down the attic drain after pouring a cup of vinegar to make sure no vinegar backs up into the HVAC system.

Edit:
O.k., now I"m a little more concerned because the the original warranty visit I had in Aug of last year required in addition to the discharge/recharge; something to do with condensation on the coils which makes me think I don't have the aforementioned dryer or it's now working properly. However, the person I spoke with had a difficult time with the legibility of the original tech's handwriting so I guess I'll we'll see. I specifically asked for that tech and will see what he says on my serv req date...

[rd2007]

I'll snap a picture tomorrow, I'm running around trying to get ready for work. Mine is in an obvious location right next to the unit where the coil and fan are. It's bright blue too, hard to miss it and it's not exactly small either. Probably about 6" in diameter at least

[scuba steve]

Originally Posted by rd2007

...My warranty covered everything, including them coming over and adding some freon while they waited for the part to come in...

I didn't think they could do that - I thought the EPA License prevents them from adding anything to a system that's known to be leaking except for a trivial amount to find the leak.

[TXtrkgrl]

Originally Posted by tekka-maki

My home is 2538sqft but only 1923 sqft of air conditioned space (i.e. no garage or porch coverage). Would you say I'm pushing it with a 3 to 3 1/2 ton unit? It seems to cool adequately at 76 degrees (much worse before they did a discharge/recharge last Sept); 1st story always stays cooler though and on a hot day, the unit will stay on for the majority of time. I also have 3 windows facing west which don't help and a game room on top of the garage. I change filters regularly, but boy was the filter filthy when I moved in from all the sheetrock and building debris.. I also had a blower wheel in the attic that died a rather hasty death (less than one year old). What does your hubby think about that and what is his company?


BTW, I have a heat pump as well but I have two modes of heat; one is emergency heat and the other is regular. I've been told conflicting stories as to when I should emergency heat, but I imagine that is for a freezing day if ice builds up on the unit...

Thanks in advance!

I will ask him your first question this evening when I get home (unless my boss leaves his office, then I will call him ).
As for the emergency heat and regular heat switch, you are absolutely right, only use the emergency heat when it is freezing outside.

[TXtrkgrl]

Originally Posted by rd2007

You can also keep the pan flow pipe clean by pouring down some vinegar. Mine backed up the other day and that cleared it out. It'll kill some grass wherever your unit drains though..

About once a month or so, when I am outside watering the grass I put the water hose on the end of my drain pipe for about 6-10 seconds, you should see all the gunk that comes out of there.
Try it sometime, you will be surprised. Just remember this is water going into your house, so don't leave it too long or you will flood your closet where the unit is