Need To Inspect Air Conditioning?
My parents insist that I find out if they should pay someone to inspect their home air conditioning. Their home is now 20 years old (they have owned it all that time), and the air conditioning is still working fine. They called one inspector who said they should have it inspected anyway, just to make sure it won't break down any time soon. They called another inspector who said that if it is working fine, then there is no need to inspect it. So should they have it inspected or not?
Answer:
Maybe she relpaced the filter once in 20 years, maybe once it was checked, and the car, has it had an oil change in 20 years or been checked out. Get to work and get it fully cleaned, both coils, not just the one outside. My neighbors was like that, the air handler coil was so bad he removed it to power wash it, it finaly cooled and his electric and heating bill went down in half. Obviously they need your help. First, if they *insisted* that you find out, it sounds like you didn't want to. What son/daughter wouldn't just do the research for them instead of them having to *insist* that you do it? Second, I find it hard to believe that an AC unit could move any air at all with a filter that has only been replaced "once or twice" in 20 years. Some filters look like wool blankets after just a few months...I can't imagine what a 10 year filter would look like. Mine would be so thick that I don't I would be able to get it out of the housing! Don't take offense, I could be wrong, but this smells very troll-ish, at least to me. Again, no offense, but they may be being "penny wise, pound foolish". What they've saved in annual or semi-annual inspections may have been spent in reduced efficiency and higher operating costs. Do 'em a favor - step up and pay for the inspection. I don't know where you live, but where I am they range from $50 for the independents to $75+ for the "Big Names" Heating & Cooling, Inc. Even before that, pull the filter - if it looks like sheep, replace it. Filters should be replaced on X-months basis (depending on style) not an X-years basis.