Hi

I am looking on some helpful information, I have asked around and get different feedback every time.

I have a RUUD 10inch seer Model UPKA-031JAZ installed in 1999. I bought the house last year, and would like to know if there is routine maintenance to be done on it. Is it suggested to have a technician do it or is it just cleaning filters and could be done by me. I have called some companies and have been quoted $127 to $140 for a check up and a cleaning. Is it worth getting a parts and labour warranty, and what price range should this warranty range in?

Thank you very much for any information it is appreciated.

When was the last time the unit was serviced professionally?
The price of a warrenty will depend upon where you live and what is covered by the warrenty. To many variables to complicate the price structure to give a price anywhere accurate.

I do not know the last time it was serviced. I bought the house last summer, but regularly cleaned the interior filter. Beside keeping the filter clean, is there anything else to do to the systemfor prevention or keeping the system working optimally. I find it heats properly in the winter, and air conditions properly in the summer.

The filter is just about the only user serviceable part that you can be concerned with. This is a do it yourself board but your system is functional at this time.

One item to remember is that your system is almost nine years old so eventually you will be replacing it. There are more efficient units available today so when the time comes to fix it or replace it you might take into consideration the amount of utility bill you can save with replacement equipment.

So your suggestion would be to just do my self maintenance and replace it at the end of it's life expectancy, or fix minor breakdowns if not too expensive.

I am running as a Bi Energy system, so above a certain degree of cold it jumps off the themopump and my heating is run by highly efficient oil burning motor.

You did mention that there are more efficient systems on the market. Which thermopump would you suggest.

((I have a RUUD 10inch seer Model UPKA-031JAZ installed in 1999))

This is what my discussion with you was about. You had supplied no other information at that point. There are 13 to 19 SEER systems available now so they far surpass your 10 SEER system. As far as the oil burner is concerned there are high efficiency oil furnaces available also that are more efficient than you have now.

I would definately do minor repairs to your system but when the big $$$$ break down comes I would go for the newer equipment.

The filter is just about the only user serviceable part that you can be concerned with. This is a do it yourself board but your system is functional at this time.

One item to remember is that your system is almost nine years old so eventually you will be replacing it. There are more efficient units available today so when the time comes to fix it or replace it you might take into consideration the amount of utility bill you can save with replacement equipment.

Routine user maintenance should also include cleaning the condensing unit (outdoor) coil. Accumulated dust and dirt on the coil can reduce your efficiency. You can just spray it with a garden hose... 1-2 times a year is good enough in most cases.

Routine user maintenance should also include cleaning the condensing unit (outdoor) coil. Accumulated dust and dirt on the coil can reduce your efficiency. You can just spray it with a garden hose... 1-2 times a year is good enough in most cases.


You forgot to mention that you cannot clean them by spraying water from the outside with a garden hose. The coils have to be back flushed from the inside out and that is why I do not recommend many homeowners do that since you have to usually pull the fan motor blade assembly out of the way to get inside the unit. Most units do not have enough extra wire to do this easily. Then if they pull the wires loose they have to call for service to get there unit fan running again.

If you have been spray cleaning your unit from the outside you have been forcing more dirt back further into the coils and while it may look better you have actually made it worse. BTW many if not all modern A/C outside units today have at least 2 layers of coils in them. So without the proper tools and chemicals you can not clean them at all. Unless you just want them to look better.

In addition to what hvac1000 said, also keep in mind that if your condensing coil has a black coating then you should not use any chemical cleaner on it. The chemical can strip the coating off really really fast.