A few days ago our heating/cooling unit - the kind of job that sits outside the house - decided that the life expectancy was up (20 years?). But that’s the only major bummer that happened this year, so no protracted grumbling in this corner. It was a reasonably GOOD year.
They don’t want you to know one thing about those units HJ…
Anyone that is a little mechanically inclined can fix them. In the last two years, I have replaced two relays, one fan and one capacitor. All under $200, the cost for the Man With A Van to show up.
And they place that is “open to dealers only” that sells parts, they will sell to anyone.
Oh I do know that, but when the heat exchanger bites the dust, then you’re in for mega bucks. Or better yet a new one that is more efficient and has a “more pleasant personality”. 
On this old clunker they even provided a schematic and the electrics are not that complicated, however it gets tricky with natural gas and the chances of the exhaust not being exhausted but circulated through the ductwork. Our plan is to be around for a while longer. 
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Oh I do know that, but when the heat exchanger bites the dust, then you're in for mega bucks. Or better yet a new one that is more efficient and has a "more pleasant personality". ;) :)On this old clunker they even provided a schematic and the electrics are not that complicated, however it gets tricky with natural gas and the chances of the exhaust not being exhausted but circulated through the ductwork.
Hmmm. Living where YOU do I’d have thort that geo-thermal energy was the way to go.
After all, my late Uncle Ted, who only lived 800 feet up a mountainside in North Wales, had it twenty years ago… Add to that the hydro he got from the stream that ran through his backyard and his solar panels, too, his annual domestic heating bill would barely pay for a decent meal and a pint in the local pub. And MANWEB [the local hydro company] actually sent him a cheque every year, too.
Best let the grumble out, and be done with it. Internalising your grumbles CAN lead to stomach upsets.
tac
www.ovgrs.org
Ah, yes, do not mess with exchangers. We had one go out years ago on our oil furnace, that was replaced with gas. 
Our AC units died this past Summer…first in June the Downstairs unit…then the Upstairs in July (while we were in PA).
Bought an LG unit 12000BTU window unit for the DS, it ran all summer, used Big fans to push cool air upstairs…will do again, no budget for over 10K worth of AC units…I’ll move first!..course that may be coming anyways…
cale
Thankfully the heat still works!
Well I guess I’ll open my big mouth here.
I built the house I live in now in 1991 when I did I had a Geo Thermal System put in (brand name is Water Furnace).
I had very little trouble with it. I live in cent. PA. It heats well and cools better. And the cost to run it is really low.
Bottom line is I’m glad I purchased it. When it needs serviced I don’t cheap out. I get the people that are trained to do it…
Some people will spend more on cigarettes than to keep there systems running. Not saying that anyone here would do that.
I’s just fact.
CEO 101 LINE
David Kapp said:
Well I guess I'll open my big mouth here. I built the house I live in now in 1991 when I did I had a Geo Thermal System put in (brand name is Water Furnace). I had very little trouble with it. I live in cent. PA. It heats well and cools better. And the cost to run it is really low. Bottom line is I'm glad I purchased it. When it needs serviced I don't cheap out. I get the people that are trained to do it.. Some people will spend more on cigarettes than to keep there systems running. Not saying that anyone here would do that. I's just fact.CEO 101 LINE
Would you mind posting what your electrical use is and sf of home you condition? I have looked into these units to replace my current 12 yo system.