Furnace and A/C Tune-Up/Cleaning

DIYguy2000

I won a free furnace tuneup/cleaning at a local home show (reg. $113.25), and they would like it booked within the next 6 weeks or so. I would have preferred to wait until the fall, but hey.. it's free!

We also have an A/C and the company provides A/C cleaning as well for $113.25 ($98 if you also purchased the regular price furnace tune-up).

I know nothing about HVAC, so I've come here for the experts! The furnace is 13 years old, and the A/C was installed by the previous owner about 3 years ago. We don't plan on using the A/C often.

Is it worth it to pay the extra to get the A/C cleaned while they're in there cleaning the furnace? What does this all include? Or is this something that I can do myself later?

Thanks everyone!

DIYguy2000

To follow up, I had the ducts cleaned last fall, which included cleaning the blower. I don't know when/if the furnace or A/C have been 'tuned-up' before.

beenthere

The A/C coil could still be dirty.

Tune ups that they actually check everything are worthwhile.

I think your in part of a sales/marketing plan.

Win a free furnace/heating tune up, but have it done at end of heating season. So we can charge you for the A/C tune up.


Call around. And find prices from other companies in your area. Might find their A/C tune up is cheaper.

DIYguy2000

The freebie came from a door prize at a local homeshow.. (those ballot draws that suck people into their booth display) but what you said about at the start of the A/C season makes sense now..

What does an A/C cleaning actually do (inside the house)? is it just cleaning the A/C coils in the supply plenum? or is there more to it? If I'm paying someone mostly to clean the outside A/C unit, I'd probably just do that myself.

Would they not clean the A/C coils when they clean the furnace? Is cleaning the A/C coils not part of the duct work cleaning I had in the fall?

I'll take your advice and call around, but I just want to understand more about what I'm buying before I do.

Thanks!

beenthere

The A/C coil is not part of the furnace. Its part of the cooling equipment. So they wouldn't really do anything about the coil on a heating check.

For a cooling check. They should be checking both coils. And the refrigerant charge, amp draw of all motors, condition of contacts. Clean the drain line for the indoor unit. Check air flow.

Duct cleaning doesn't include the indoor coil.
If they touch it, and it springs a leak, Its their dime to replace or repair it.