Is Air Conditioner Maintenance a Scam? What A Real Tune-Up Looks Like

Comments · 71

• MY

  @MysticGrid-y2k · 2 weeks ago

  the part about low-ball $49 maintenance offers is spot on. if the price doesn't cover the cost of driving to your house with the right equipment, they're not checking anything meaningful. a real tune-up should include coil cleaning, drain flush, capacitor reading, contactor inspection, amp draws on all motors, and a charge check. that's 45 minutes minimum, probably closer to 90. asking upfront what's actually included is the move, not just comparing prices. companies like american residential services offer tune-up services where you can ask exactly what's on the checklist before they show up, though what's covered and what it costs will vary by location. referrals are still the best filter, but knowing what a real maintenance looks like makes it easier to tell who's actually doing the work.

  57

• CA

  @Cameron-g4j1f · 1 month ago

  Thank you for posting this one brother,  ive wondered all summer long if i was really doing everything that was expected of me when i performed maintenance&cleaning, thankfully i had everything covered and those details are in my checklist.  But this boosted my confidence knowing  Im not coming up short, or short changing my growing clientele base

  16

• CA

  @carlosmarinchavez4286 · 3 weeks ago

  Sadly today’s technicians that work in residential don’t do those inspections, they are trained by their companies to scam the residents and sell them as much as they can. They are sellers and parts exchanger. No ethical values that’s why I quit doing residential services.

  6

• TH

  @TheJj787 · 3 weeks ago

  What he’s saying is correct — that’s how a PM should really be done. The problem is the market doesn’t always support what it actually costs to do it that way. A PM that thorough can easily run over $1,000 once you factor in the time, cleaning, testing, and full equipment inspection.

  3

• GA

  @gasman43 · 1 month ago (edited)

  The maintenance itself is not a scam but the dishonesty of certain companies that lie and charge for work they don't do is a big issue.

  14

• IN

  @inflationsux · 3 weeks ago

  Like your content, got my 608 universal right before 410a phase out. Got my central unit running properly with a decent amount of effort. Proper tools for service, maintenance, and major repairs aren't cheap but worth it and they will always have market value. I have such a small house that 2 pthps would work.

  2

• JU

  @juliogarcia743 · 2 weeks ago

  Mr. Air condition men<br> It needs to be more good. People like you.<br> You explain pretty much the right thing to do. I thank you.

  1

• ER

  @errorerror1337 · 3 weeks ago

  I got myself blacklisted because I asked a well known nationwide HVAC company what&apos;s on their maintenance checklist. They couldn&apos;t tell me over the phone and said the tech who arrived would have it. When I asked the tech who arrived he literally didn&apos;t even know what a checklist was. I left a negative review and was told never to call again because my address would be refused service. The struggle to find someone trustworthy is real, and just watching this vid has given me a solid checklist. Thank you!

• JA

  @JaneofHomes · 1 month ago (edited)

  I have a 1990 old TRANE XL that I just had serviced. The only thing it needed was a new CAP. Great video as usual.

  2

• BT

  @btu64 · 1 month ago

  You are truly a treasure to this profession. Thank you again!

  3

• JU

  @JulianFigueroa-k2v · 1 month ago

  Ok for example, if you see a failing motor or capacitor etc, you cant just replace it without the customers approval which is something you should have considered, customer could right away say I want a 2nd opinion and make you appear untrustworthy. Sometimes companies will make the tech have the customer to put in a separate work order to have that failing component replaced. Its not as straight forward has you describing but you are very correct and im just speaking from my own experience, I watch your videos cause you know more then me and I want to learn and be better, no or nothing to be taken out of context apologies if I came off that way

  4

• BE

  @bernie4746 · 1 month ago

  Great scam awareness and PM video. Keep up the great work Tad.

  1