HVAC guys ? for you

[muddpuppy]

Just had a guy out to clean and maint my furnace it's 6 years old. I was having some On and Off issues.

For $120 they were running a speacial Diagnos any issue's tune and clean.

1st the guy says you have a bad sensor $150 I asked for him to show me the test that confirms this. All of a sudden the part works.....

2nd the blower motor is full of sheetrock dust and dirt.. Had to be from the build 6 years ago. It was going to be another 150 to clean it? Is this not part of the cleaning and tuneup? what am I missing? I don't want to bash this guy if I am off base.

Thank you

[JBar]

Every shop is different on pricing. Rate per hour charge is what Ive always followed from the shops I have worked out of. Most techs on a prevenative maintenace call can do a check and clean in an hours time on most of the new 90% gas furnaces. I most cases I would clean some pretty bad blower wheels in this hour time frame and would not cost the customer any extra as if the blower wheel was spotless. Possibly a Flame sensor rod they were talking about most will cost around that 50 to 75 dollar range not saying one couldn't cost that 150 mark just never have seen one at that price and taking a guess that it was a flame sensor. 420.00 on this type of a call seems excessive to me in the areas of Minnesota and NorthDakota I have worked in, as is sounds no major problems were found on the call. for the most part try to find a good local contractor that your comfortable with.

[BobT]

Did you get a itemized explanation of what they would do or just a statement that said "general cleaning, inspection, and adjustment?" Probably too late now but consider asking for itemized description so you both are on the same page before the tech comes out.

To me cleaning and inspecting a forced air furnace would include cleaning and lubricating the blower motor, cleaning the heat exchange (they can get quite filled up with crud), probably a given to replace the nozzle on fuel oil systems, replacing the fuel filter, adjusting the flame, adjusting the draft control, checking blower speed or plenum pressure, etc. In a nutshell it should be about as efficient as possible when the tech gets done.

A service provider might have a completely different idea about what cleaning, inspecting, and adjusting might be. I've had them come out and basically replace the fuel filter and nozzle and call it good. I can do that myself but I don't have the expertise and test equipment to properly adjust the flame, blower motor speed, draft control, etc. and that's why I would hire them.

I'm about due to have mine done and I can assure you that I will make certain the service provider and I are on the same page first.

[muddpuppy]

This was my first time getting this type of service. I will pull the blower and clean the blades. I will just chalk this us as a learning experiance for the next time I have this service done.

Thank you for your thoughts

[pikechaser]

Ive been in the trade for bout 15 years...Always good to ask ahead of time what your sposed to get for the money. If you ask me for 120 bucks They better clean & tune the furnace from top to bottom and spit shine the whole thing when their done. Not much of a special, Sounds like the type of company that gives us all a BAD NAME. Its really sad that there are outfits out there that operate like this, it makes it hard for the rest of us who are just trying to make a living. Id be curious to see what kind of a furnace you have...150 for just a flame sensor is pretty steep, they can be cleaned to a point. Should be standard part of the clean/tune...Doesnt sound to me like your off base, Id be calling whoever runs this "business" and asking what the deal is...Sounds like a good place to stay away from.

[BobT]

Thanks, pikechaser. The best way we consumer have to "force" these companies to deliver quality service comes from our pocketbook. Like I already mentioned, it might be too late now although negotiations are always possible, but I would make sure this company knows you didn't think you were treated fairly and you will be shopping around next time. Maybe this company feels that's is what the job is worth. Doesn't mean it is.