CONFUSING PRICES
Last year, I spoke before a group of homeowners and talked about air conditioning tune-up plans. Like most homeowners, they did not get yearly or bi-yearly tune-ups. Some thought tune ups were unnecessary and a waste of money. Others did not understand the advantages, and some felt swindled or preyed upon. Because of these reasons, various surveys support that less than 25% of homeowners get tune-ups.
HIDDEN PROBLEMS
Turning on the A/C and having it cool isn’t a signal that all is okay. All you know for sure is that the unit starts. As homeowners we pay attention to problems that we can see and hear. We recognize failing refrigerator compressors before air conditioner compressors. Because, we spend lots of time in the kitchen. Who makes a point of going outside to listen to the air conditioner compressor? Out of sight and out of mind, hidden in closets, basements, or attics, caked and dirty evaporator coils labor to cool the incoming air. Motors sputter and grind from dirty filters. Lawnmovers spray condensing coils with grass clippings. Undetected problems grow. Tune-ups have two basic advantages, prolong the life span and efficiency of the system. HVAC technicians detect small problems before growing big and causing breakdowns.
SO MANY DIFFERENT PLANS
The plans are confusing, and costs vary which makes it hard to decide which are the best values. Some plans include 10, 20, 30 or even 40 tasks. In most cases, listing at least 10-15 tasks is enough. Technicians inspect thermostats, evaporator coils, blower and fan motors and condensers. Checking electrical, mechanical and drainage systems is essential.
BEST VALUE
Can you get a good tune-up for $29.99 or $39.99? Probably not, because these prices don’t cover wages let alone gasoline and office overhead. Some contractors advertise these super low prices to get inside homes. The problem is that these low prices put a lot of pressure on HVAC technicians to “find something to fix” to cover costs. Many customers have told me that they feel preyed upon when they thought the system was in good shape and are then given a costly list of “needed” repairs. Your best value is to avoid the low-ball prices. Costs vary with regions but in metro Tulsa $75 is a minimium price to get a quality tune-up. In early spring until mid to late May most contractors discount tune-ups. Schedule early and save money.
Minor problems get fixed, potential ones flagged and no unnecessary work is recommended.