View single post by danfrain
 Posted: Thu Jan 15th, 2009 05:58 pm
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danfrain

 

Joined: Sat Jun 9th, 2007
Location: Illinois USA
Posts: 2
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 This question is mainly for the HVAC pros who visit this forum because it involves professional ethics:

I had a problem with my HVAC system (2004 Ruud Achiever 90+). 

It would start and stop, start and stop.  I read that I should check and clean the flame sensor.  On our unit, the flame sensor had a screw on one side and a rivet on the other.  I would've had to grind off the rivet to get it out, and it was, of course, on the weekend. 

I didn't want to chance breaking it with no chance of gettig a part for two days, so I used long clamps and a new plastic scrubbing pad to clean it as best I could with the sensor in the unit.  It worked well for a couple of weeks.  It warmed the house quite a bit, but never got all the way to WARM unless we set the thermostat for about 80F. 

My wife called a service company one day while I was at work.  They sent out a tech to fix the system.  On their website, for $89, they offer a "Winter Precision Tuneup", which includes:
  • Heating
  • Check thermostat calibration
  • Clean and adjust burner assembly
  • Clean ignition assembly
  • Check combustion air
  • Test starting capabilities
  • Examine heat exchanger for damage and corrosion
  • Monitor flue draft
  • Test safety controls
  • Inspect gas piping
  • Clean and/or replace standard air filters
  • Measure for correct air flow
  • Tighten electrical connections
  • Measure volts and amps
  • Lubricate all moving parts
  • Clean condensate drains
  • Measure temperature difference between supply air and return air
  • Apply protective coating
  • Adjust gas pressure
  • Adjust pilot
  • Monitor heating cycle
  • In place, clean and adjustment of blower components
  • Examine installation quality
  • Examine equipment condition area, and clearances
The guy was in and out in half an hour and never went outside or upstairs, so about half the things on that list, he couldn't have done.  There are several items on the list that anyone can look and see he didn't do.  The guy who installed the system was a hack who did a shoddy job, which I've never taken the time to clean up.

The bill says $89 for the service call and $66 to clean the flame sensor.  I think this is double billing, and I think it's wrong.  Shouldn't the service call for $89 include all the items in their list, or am I wrong to think so? 

I'll check back in a day or so to see what the consensus is here.  I'm also going to post this on a couple of other forums, so that I can see what other pros think of it.

Have a great day today and a better day tomorrow.  Stay safe, and may God bless.  I wish you His peace.

Dan



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Stay safe, and may G_d bless. I wish you His peace.

Dan