Twice annually is overkill. Once a year is OK.

Replace what? Size? Outside condenser and new furnace?

Where are furnaces located?

Post back.

IMO

i thought twice annually was overkill. darn. more wasted money...:(

anyway, i guess replace everything. they are all old and were poorly maintained. the repair person said they think we should look into replacing it all.

we have a furnace in the attic and one in the basement, I believe. i think they said its a 5 ton system?

450/yr is 48/month and most service plans are in the $25 range. you have 2 units so i am sure the upcharge is 50% more of the base? i do not think your fee is hugely excessive. you have insurance and probably will never use it. but you feel good? it hot and humid where you live. you must be frugal. if you dont use the a/c? wifey turns it on in march and it shuts off in nov. really. a single furnace/a/c unit is 7k. you need 2. we can quibble and say the bill should be 14k but you might find a vendor who will do it for 13k or maybe even 11k?

Is the $450 maintenance fee per visit, or is it per year?

Do want to replace the system because you think they are old and time to be replaced? Are you having any problems?

An 18 year old gas furnace still has a few years life left in it. The AC may be getting near its end of life, but if you don't use it often then it could has also have several years before it dies.

The nice thing about having two systems is that if one fails, you can still manage with the other system.

My suggestion is to live in the house a full year and learn about the heating and cooling issues you house may have. This will help you make better decisions when you decide to do a replacement.