do you really need to spend $100 to have your air conditioner serviced every year??

[MommyDOK]

we've never done it. My neighbor does it every year and says that it really saves money in the long run.

We live in an area where we could not live w/out ac. It is on 4 months straight through the summer. Thanks.

[Drummer's Wife]

We have a guy coming on Friday to do this, and he comes every winter to check the heating, too. I don't think it costs that much each time, though. Seems like he just changes the filter, cleans something, and checks vents for carbon monoxide.

We can't live without the A/C here, either. Curious to know how important it is to have it checked out...

[Ola_]

Hmm, we've not had the AC serviced yet, but did the furnace last year. Will probably do it every 2-3 years or so, definitely not annually.

[CeciMami]

I'm interested in this too...anyone do their own AC/Heater maintenance? Are there any websites that give good, clear directions on how to do it? I'd love to find this info for my hubby since we just don't have the cash to hire anyone to do it this summer, something we've ALWAYS done in the past. We had our freon (or whatever it is they fill the AC with) topped off last year so I'm just looking for some basic maintenance info. Thanks!

[ChristyMarie]

We have a contract where they come out twice a year. It is about $150 each time - but that pretty much covers the retail amount of our filters. They clean it, check it, add coolant if needed, etc. In the long run keeping it clean and up to date means it is more efficient and lasts longer. Plus any issues are found and dealt with before a huge problem starts - usually on the hottest or coldest day of the year.

[Mommy2Austin]

My dad has been an HVAC technician for 25 years, so along the way I've learned a few things.

If you are going to use your AC on a consistant basis you really do need to have it serviced at least once a year (twice is better) to keep it in peak performance. You also should be changing your filter every 1-2 months (3 at the max) otherwise it starts to clog up the intake and it has to work twice as hard to perform normally. That means a higher electric bill. When you have it serviced make sure to ask the technician to show you how to change the filter.

It also helps people/families with airborn allergies to change the filter often.

[JamieCatheryn]

We planned to but didn't have the money for it. We do change the main filter every month or two in winter/summer when we're using the system, and the intake filters every couple months. I'm thinking ductless heating and cooling of some kind when we build a house.

[Mommy2Austin]

Originally Posted by JamieCatheryn

We planned to but didn't have the money for it. We do change the main filter every month or two in winter/summer when we're using the system, and the intake filters every couple months. I'm thinking ductless heating and cooling of some kind when we build a house.

This is why I would love to build an earthship home!

[mnnice]

I haven't, I did have it done in 6-2009 for the first time since it was installed in 2000 It had plenty of coolant and was reasonabily clean according to the HCAV guy.

From what I have been told the AC is supposed to be running in order to service it (in other words you can't service AC during the heating season). Most years I would only have the AC to keep us comfortable about 5-10 days per year. I would guess my unit has run less total than the OP's runs in a summer.

[velochic]

When I was growing up, my divorced mother would never maintain anything. I learned very quickly... you can spend that little bit of money every year for maintenance or spend a HUGE amount to replace something that wears out prematurely because it was not serviced.

Yes, spend the money and maintain your expensive items. Better than dishing out $3000 for a new air conditioning unit.

[daytripper75]

My husband does it for us every Spring and Fall. It isn't rocket science, lots of places online explain how to do it yourself in easy steps: http://www.greenbuilder.com/general/...es/AAS.AC.html

[dachshund mom]

We do because we bought a new system and the warranty requires it and was part of the deal. DH will probably do it when that runs out because he's handy. The old one went out right after we bought our house and it hadn't been maintained. I don't remember what all the problems were, but it was very dirty, fan was not spinning well, and the coolant was low, all making it work too hard until something fried. So yes, worth it, at least every other year.

[grniys]

I'm so glad I stumbled on this thread! We just closed on our first home and I never thought about ac maintenance. Thanks for the info!

[Ygle]

We bought our home new with AC in '98 and had it serviced for the first time in 2009... my husband followed the guy around and checked everything he did and there really wasn't much he did and everything was great, just needed a little coolant, not much. We change our filter regularly though and also keep the area around the AC unit outside very clean. I just can't imagine the necessity of every year...??? We didn't notice any change in efficiency over the years and we run the AC a lot. The only reason we called someone in finally is because our AC was coming on when it shouldn't (turned out a wire was getting too close to something) and stuff coming through our vents smells now (with heat and AC and even just running the fan, but the guy was NO help with that at all unfortunately). It cost us $165 to have everything serviced and that was with a 'special deal' through our gas service company.

[zebra15]

Yes we do. Ours runs from April-October at least. The $100 or so is money well spent IMO. I want to know if there is a problem, a possible issue etc on the a/c. The temps can get to 115-120 in AZ, for weeks at a time. When the monsoons come the weather also gets HUMID and HOT.

Good maintance is just something I do.