Are heating/ac service plans worthwhile?  We have a 12 year old dual unit Lenox system. National Grid is offering annual tune ups and service coverage for 350/year.

Matt

 

Hi - - -

Just a single vote - but - NEVER now on a unit that old!

The very first "phenomena" suddenly discovered will be that a NEW system is necessary after inspection!!

Yours is R-22 . . . treat it gently & do NOT have anyone "mess about" with the Compressor Unit unless / until it stops cooling!

Then, you'll have to decide upon a new outfit, w/ R-410.

Of course, have the HEATING examined to start this new season, by whomever you have used up til now, one service call at a time.

everett

p.s. - at that ridiculous pricing, one hopes that no one will ever "BITE!"

Sometimes Everett, Sometimes.....
I'm not sure about National Grid. Don't know if I would bite at the full service plan, but a maitenance plan with service discounts would be a start.
I can't begin to count how many existing systems of that age or older that I have found that were never properly charged, had small adjustments to airflow (switch from restrictive filters everyone seems to buy at the big box stores), or the furnaces that saved big money. Cleaning components alone is often the key. Along with minor things like capacitors, wiring terminals, connections etc. that easily repaired/replaced would have doomed the systems to an early failure if not found. I could go on but..
I expect the equipment we maintain to last 15-20 years. It's my job to get it there.
Sure, a good maintenance customer base is good for business. No doubt. But finding a company to do a proper maintenance is good for the consumer.
A thorough maintenance should take @ 1 1/2 hours. Not including if a major component needs to be torn down and cleaned.

{ I Read this one last} ...

No doubt, that evaporator coil certainly could stand a complete cleaning by this time.

My 'apprehension'  is centered around the business
currently of trying to frighten folks to pieces by telling them R-22 is no longer appropriate / available & that they therefore MUST change to R-410.  Hence an all-new System.

Not all Contractors follow your terrific code of ethics, you see!  everett

I know their are co.s that do use this tactic, as well as others, heat exchangers at the top of that list, to scare consumers. But information is the best tool and this site can be one of them. That's why I bother.
It's like anything else, the bad things seem to outshine the good.