Heating Problem.....Wonder what this will cost?....

[Tundra]

Steamer, Hope you made it through the night fairly comfortably. It got pretty chilly here, know it's colder by you. Best of luck

[Jack]

that they check the capacitors and such to make sure they are holding up....that they would most likely have been able to tell that one was going bad....???...

I doubt that.  Most techs would not even look at the blower capacitor during a semi-annual service check as long as the motor was running.

[Hoser]

GOOD NEWS....it turned out that it was just the run capacitor on the blower motor.....and not the motor itself....it was turning, but slowly.....the new capacitor was $63...+ $118 for the weekend service call.....$181....much better than waiting on a blower motor to be ordered since the temps will be in the teens here the next several days..... ....

We took the 1" regular filter out and left the 8-Merv 5" filter in...I had replaced them on Oct 19th and they were still clean as a whistle......the large filters only have to be changed out every 6 months....even then, when I last did that, it was still mostly clean.....

He said they charge $149/yr for a serv contract...that they check the freon levels, wash the coils off(I do that myself a couple of times a year) and more importantly....that they check the capacitors and such to make sure they are holding up....that they would most likely have been able to tell that one was going bad....???...Do you guys think it's worth it for that considering I keep the coils clean/filters changed out regularly?.....as it is, if something like this happens every year, it'd be the same as a service contract....

No, unless you,re  a girly man.  Wait a minute, this is Steemer isn't it? Never mind.  hoser

[BF]

It is IF they clean the evaporator coil (the indoor coil).  That's not something you can do yourself.  Otherwise, tell 'em no. 

You should make sure your there to make sure that they do that though.

[Stanley Steamer]

Steamer, Hope you made it through the night fairly comfortably. It got pretty chilly here, know it's colder by you. Best of luck

Yep....so far, the heat is still working.....it got down to 19 degrees here....I still took my cart out at work today....wonder what the windchill is at 19 and "20mph" winds?...I did have the windshield up, but not the cover on it..... ......it's supposed to be 16 tomorrow with 10-20mph winds....gotta love that global warming...

[Stanley Steamer]

that they check the capacitors and such to make sure they are holding up....that they would most likely have been able to tell that one was going bad....???...

I doubt that.  Most techs would not even look at the blower capacitor during a semi-annual service check as long as the motor was running.

I realize that....but I have to convince my Wife of that.....I bet those capacitors either work/ or not....and I doubt they'd crack the air handler open to check that kind of thing out until it actually goes out....I am pretty diligent about cleaning the outside coils and changing the filters out....I told her we just have had some bad luck.....Abby said ...."Nobody can stop a Trane....but me".....

[Stanley Steamer]

It is IF they clean the evaporator coil (the indoor coil).  That's not something you can do yourself.  Otherwise, tell 'em no. 

You should make sure your there to make sure that they do that though.

My filters are usually pretty darn clean...even after being in for 6 months.....can you wash those inside coils off in the air handler??.....my air handler sits under the house on top of a drain pan with a cut-off switch on it.....I think it has a drain to the outside also....

[Jack]

Go to a HVAC supply warehouse and buy some "Blowout"  or "KO Dirtblaster"  If you can get to it, you can clean it yourself.  Inside coils are self-rinsing due to condensation.

[Stanley Steamer]

Go to a HVAC supply warehouse and buy some "Blowout"  or "KO Dirtblaster"  If you can get to it, you can clean it yourself.  Inside coils are self-rinsing due to condensation.

Thanks Jack.....

[BF]

No, you can't.  There is insulation on the interior walls of the plenum (the duct work that the coil sets in) and you'd ruin it if you soaked it with a water hose.  

When a service tech cleans your evaportor coils, he removes the refrigerent from it (either pumps the refrigerant down to the condenser outside and isolates it there (if it has service valves for that), or removes it to a reclaimation bottle - where he'll put it back in your system when he's done), then removes it from the system and then takes the coil outside to clean it.  Normally, he'll spray a coil cleaner on it (an acid) then wash it off with a hose.  When he's done, he'll reinstall it, pull a vacuum on it (to remove all the air and other non-condensables), then re-charge it with refrigerant.  

This is not something the average homeowner can or should attempt.  Besides...it's ilegal to handle refrigerant unless your certified by the EPA.  

Even with the cleanest filters and the most anal filter changer.....over time, you'll still get debris on your coil.  For a hundred and fifty bucks a year, it's worth it to have someone clean it for you.  

The drain pan is for the condensation (the water in the air) that forms on the coils, then drops out into the pan.  The cut-off switch is probably a float switch of some kind.  It's code for the drain to be run to the outside.  

[BF]

 Inside coils are self-rinsing due to condensation.


Uh....no, their not.  

[Stanley Steamer]

No, you can't.  There is insulation on the interior walls of the plenum (the duct work that the coil sets in) and you'd ruin it if you soaked it with a water hose.  

When a service tech cleans your evaportor coils, he removes the refrigerent from it (either pumps the refrigerant down to the condenser outside and isolates it there (if it has service valves for that), or removes it to a reclaimation bottle - where he'll put it back in your system when he's done), then removes it from the system and then takes the coil outside to clean it.  Normally, he'll spray a coil cleaner on it (an acid) then wash it off with a hose.  When he's done, he'll reinstall it, pull a vacuum on it (to remove all the air and other non-condensables), then re-charge it with refrigerant.  

This is not something the average homeowner can or should attempt.  Besides...it's ilegal to handle refrigerant unless your certified by the EPA.  

Even with the cleanest filters and the most anal filter changer.....over time, you'll still get debris on your coil.  For a hundred and fifty bucks a year, it's worth it to have someone clean it for you.  

The drain pan is for the condensation (the water in the air) that forms on the coils, then drops out into the pan.  The cut-off switch is probably a float switch of some kind.  It's code for the drain to be run to the outside.  

Yep.....that'd be worth it if they include that in the service contract....thanks for the info.....

[BF]

You're welcome.  

That's why I said you should be there to witness for yourself that they do indeed perform the things that they should be doing in that contract.  Most people don't really know what all is involved. 

[Stanley Steamer]

You're welcome.  

That's why I said you should be there to witness for yourself that they do indeed perform the things that they should be doing in that contract.  Most people don't really know what all is involved. 

If the Wife decides to get the Service Contract, .......I will try to be there to make sure they do what they say they will.......I went under the house with the guy yesterday and helped him out some....

[fstsix]

Not sure what kind of service contract your looking into but... i just got a notice in the mail last week of a Class action lawsuit of the one i had purchase from this same co, on this thread, Dam insurance co's i had a fan motor go out on my property in VA, and the guy looked like he climbed out from under a rock,he put reconditioned motor in?, sold the house sense then. http://www.ripoffreport.com/Warranty-Companies/American-Home-Shield/american-home-shield-lets-cons-3c8ag.htm

[Jack]

No, you can't.  There is insulation on the interior walls of the plenum (the duct work that the coil sets in) and you'd ruin it if you soaked it with a water hose.  

When a service tech cleans your evaportor coils, he removes the refrigerent from it (either pumps the refrigerant down to the condenser outside and isolates it there (if it has service valves for that), or removes it to a reclaimation bottle - where he'll put it back in your system when he's done), then removes it from the system and then takes the coil outside to clean it.  Normally, he'll spray a coil cleaner on it (an acid) then wash it off with a hose.  When he's done, he'll reinstall it, pull a vacuum on it (to remove all the air and other non-condensables), then re-charge it with refrigerant.  

This is not something the average homeowner can or should attempt.  Besides...it's ilegal to handle refrigerant unless your certified by the EPA.  

Even with the cleanest filters and the most anal filter changer.....over time, you'll still get debris on your coil.  For a hundred and fifty bucks a year, it's worth it to have someone clean it for you.  

The drain pan is for the condensation (the water in the air) that forms on the coils, then drops out into the pan.  The cut-off switch is probably a float switch of some kind.  It's code for the drain to be run to the outside.  

Inside coils CAN be cleaned while installed by using a spray cleaner such as I listed above.  It is done all the time.  And yes, they are self rinsing if you are talking about the inside coils.  As the coils cool, condensation builds up as it is removed from the air and collects at the bottom of the pan.  It is not necessary to pump down and remove the coil from the house although it may be done in that manner.  Now, outside coils must be rinsed.


http://www.inspectapedia.com/aircond/Cooling_Coil_Cleaning.htm

"Foam or spray HVAC coil and fin cleaners: Such service and repair may involve significant expense, although there are some "in place" cleaning methods using foams and sprays that are a simpler procedure. Example: Superior Industries offers FCC-300™ non-toxic foaming spray coil cleaner and "conditioner". Nova-Tech International sells a dry powder used to make an alkaline HVAC coil cleaning liquid that can be sprayed onto the coil.

The HVAC spray approach has the appeal that the total cleaning cost is low, no rinsing is necessary, and the coil looks nice. Where does the debris and run-off cleaner go? It should drip into the condensate pan for disposal through the condensate drain system. The manufacturer says the coil and fin cleaner also removes odors from the system, but if your HVAC system is quite dirty additional steps will be needed to clean the blower assembly and the ductwork."

[BF]

One can argue the merits of coil cleaning......leaving it in vs taking it out.  I'm old school.  I'll take it out. 

I've seen too many with caked on pet hair and lord knows what else that has been sucked up in there.  IMHO, it ain't clean untill I see it outside in the daylight. 

However, that's not the root of the question.  He wanted to know it it's something he can do himself.  Regardless the method, the answer is still no. 

[Jack]

One can argue the merits of coil cleaning......leaving it in vs taking it out.  I'm old school.  I'll take it out.  

I've seen too many with caked on pet hair and lord knows what else that has been sucked up in there.  IMHO, it ain't clean untill I see it outside in the daylight.  

However, that's not the root of the question.  He wanted to know it it's something he can do himself.  Regardless the method, the answer is still no.  

Stanley, ask a friend in the business to come over and look at your particular unit.  It may be very possible that BF is right and you can't do it yourself.  Also, look at any number of internet sights that explain how to do it yourself.  It ain't rocket science on most residential units.  If it was, many techs wouldn't be able or willing to do it either.




http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/06/28/how-to-clean-air-conditioner-evaporator-coils-part-1/
http://www.handymanhowto.com/2009/06/28/how-to-clean-air-conditioner-evaporator-coils-part-2/