The amount of refrigerant that bleeds off due to attaching gauges is so minute that it isn't worth worrying about. Putting the service caps back on properly is IMO, the bigger culprit for the loss of refrigerant. ( not to mention leaks that form in the equipment on their own.)

Lots of companies get involved in the AC maintenance game, maintenance is a good thing when it's done properly. The problem is there is little to no supervision and techs are often rushed, not to mention put under the pressure of selling.

Do you really know the job is being done correctly?

If the job isn't being done properly, why do it?

Too many times people run to the 'cheaper' service. There is typically a very good reason it's cheap... under most circumstances it's to ensure they get their foot in your door. (Nothing about quality service they provide. If the only reason you use it is because it's cheaper than the others, it will probably bite you at some point.)

If you decide to go into this... go into it with an open mind, with your eyes open.

This isn't to suggest there are no good options out there. If anything you might be able to use these services as a gage as to who is worth their salt and who is not.

AC maintenance service should include measuring capacitors values, checking all electrical connections are secure, and visually inspecting electrical components for possible overheating problems and other potential failures. If the tech is too lazy to take off the condenser panel then you are not getting much value.

I don't understand why you would need to clean the evaporator coil every year. If you using are good filter then it should stay clean.

I have been alternating the maintenance each year between my furnaces and condensers. So each is serviced every other year. So far this has worked well for me.

A stitch in time can certainly save nine but sadly most seasonal check up specials are simply paying contractors to come see what they can sell you. If the tech concentrate's strictly on preventive maintenance,it is money well spent for people unwilling or unable to do any themselves. As already mentioned,doing it every two or three years is normally sufficient. One item that might require annual service is condenser cleaning but even that can be helped if homeowner is dedicated. I am capable of cleaning my condensers but I choose instead to prevent them from getting stopped up to begin with. I rake leaves more often in area near condenser than remainder of yard, turn ac off and use catcher while mowing near condenser. Cottonwood trees might also make it necessary to clean coils.

Hi Shari, yes in my opinion and based on my personal experience, getting an annual AC inspection from a professional is a good idea and it really is something that you should avail. This would ensure that your AC system is ready to go and that faulty parts and other issues would be detected right away and addressed properly to prevent further damage that might end up costing you more, or worse, could even require you to replace your whole AC system. I actually got a maintenance plan that you can view here from the HVAC company that installed my central AC unit and I gotta say it's totally worth it and very convenient for me because they're the ones who take care of scheduling the next maintenance based on the technician's findings from the previous service and inspection done. I definitely recommend you get an annual inspection from a reputable HVAC service provider.

Unfortunately, you've got a 50:50 chance of getting an honest/competent tech and a 50:50 chance of getting a crooked/incompetent tech. I, for one, don't like those odds!

Accordingly, I would pass. If you keep your filters clean/changed then the "maintenance" probably isn't going to save you from anything that isn't going to happen anyway.

These are my stories....

Did you find what caused that connector to melt? How much wire was damaged? Are you still using the old analog ball,up-dated to one that is digital or just winging it without benifit of a ball? Good the see you stiil taking care of folks around Katy Texas.

Did you find what caused that connector to melt? How much wire was damaged? Are you still using the old analog ball,up-dated to one that is digital or just winging it without benifit of a ball? Good the see you stiil taking care of folks around Katy Texas.

Heat. The unit was still operational, there were no issues with the equipment. This happened on a prepaid maintenance visit.

Regardless what anyone thinks or says, everything on this planet requires some form of maintenance. You can avoid doing it (paying for it, going thru the motions of actually doing it) eventually it will catch up with you. In some cases even if you are paying for it because the people who are doing it don't do it as they should OR? fill in the blank.

The obvious con in all of this is paying someone to do something and hoping they are actually doing it. Why do you think I gave my customer the souvenir?

That said... this particular customer has paid money to repair his system years ago. People get this thought that all they have to do is do annual maintenance and everything will always be ok. It doesn't work like that.

What the ball says...

I get the importance of cleaning condensers and changing filters and making sure that the drains are draining, something I do regularly, but what else can annual maintenance really accomplish? Tightening electrical connectors? Why would an AC be unique among the hundreds of electrical devices in my house to require such attention? Ours uses direct drive motors with sealed bearings, nothing there to adjust or lubricate. If it's working well, producing the expected temperature drop is there really a reason to check the refrigerant level?

If the motors start and run isn't that a pretty good diagnostic for the capacitors? Again between house and shop I have dozens of electric motors, none of the rest of them recommend testing the caps on a regular basis. I did have a capacitor go bad on my AC last summer, the condenser fan wouldn't start. A 20 minute job to pop a new one in.

I'm not buying (literally) the need to spend $2-300 a year for "checkups" on this system.

The capacitors in a condenser are under intense heat. The dielectric material in the capacitor breaks down faster than in any other motor in your house or shop. A bad start capacitor means the motor won't start. A bad run capacitor could mean excessive current flow through the motor and wiring. You won't know there is a problem until you take off the service panel and see a swollen capacitor and many charged connectors. Perhaps in your area it is cheaper to repair and replace than maintain. Every situation is unique.

OK, I can add looking at the capacitor to my cleaning routine. The one that failed (the only time its happened in 50 years of running air conditioners) looked like new, no visible evidence of anything wrong.

I have an annual inspection of our HVAC system with the guy that did the original installation. I like having a good relationship with these guys. When I call they come.

A. Air has stated more than once what it's like in the real world. I suggest homeowners take his advice. Here's additional real world facts that support what A. Air has said (here and in many other discussions). I've taken over maintainance of hundereds of units that owners had been paying for years to have maintained. It isn't uncommopn at all to see incorrect size filters have been used simply because correct filter size must be special ordered. I reconfigure holder to accomindate a standard size filter then clean coils. I subbed out a large % of repairs and replacements and this is what I found. Tenant would call in that heating, cooling,walk-in cooler or something wasn't working. I give call to a contractor who tell's me unit need's compressor replaced or other major repair. I did a hands on spot check of major repairs. Not unusual at all to find poor connection,failed cap or even one leg of power dead. If a contractor will send a trained monkey on a call knowing I or another owner rep might check the work,you can figure what homeowners can expect in the way of professional service. Do you believe techs actually test caps,connections,bearings,motors,stats and all those other "25 point" items when you pay for annual check-up and maintenance? Wanna buy an ocean front timeshare in AZ? If it's any comfort,plumbers,paiters,concrete and many others aren't much better. Lawyers are for the most part to blame. As an example,Texas Attorney General once did a sting on auto repair shops. Cars were taken in with blowen fuse,disconnected plug wire or such and if shop sold a new engine,transmission or other overcharge,they were prosecuted. Defense lawyers sued the state for entrapment and program was dropped. 90% of problems on earth can be traced back to overpopulation and lawyers. My name is Ben Dover,what can I help you with today?

Yes, regular AC inspections are definitely a good idea to prolong the lifespan of your AC unit and ensure that it's functioning at maximum efficiency. I think that it would be best if you do your inspection before summer starts to make sure that your unit would be ready to help you stay comfortable during the hot summer days. I personally always ask for the help of a professional HVAC service provider like Clover Services to conduct regular maintenance checks (twice a year) on my AC unit. This way I'm assured that maintenance is done properly and that I wouldn't have to worry about it breaking down unexpectedly.

And do you have a professional come do maintenance checks on your refrigerator twice a year as well?

I personally always ask for the help of a professional HVAC service provider... to conduct regular maintenance checks (twice a year) on my AC unit.

Janet Greenwood,

Twice a year maintenance checks on an AC unit in your area seems unusual. Which two months do you schedule this?

@mike_home It's scheduled every six months as per the service agreement from my HVAC guys. Inclusive of AC and Heating. It's usually around December and Mid June.

You originally stated twice a year maintenance on your AC unit. Now I see that it is once a year on the furnace and AC. On newly installed equipment I think preventative maintenance every two years is sufficient. Service agreements which are required to maintain parts and labor warranties are usually not a good financial deal for the homeowner.