The HVAC system installed in your home or office is a significant investment in terms of finance and comfort. Since it is not in front and center of our eyes, most of us relegate it to a backseat. The only time we realize that it is important is when it malfunctions. But by then, the neglect has already caused damage, and there’s very little you can do to correct it apart from spending lots of money on its repairs.
Seldom do we realize that there is a cheaper and more efficient way to prevent HVAC breakdowns. Have you heard of preventive HVAC maintenance? No, it’s not a term pulled out of thin air by the contractor to empty your pockets. The plain and simple truth is that most heating and cooling system problems can be resolved through maintenance. Paying for maintenance now will save you from costly repairs and buying a new system.
Cost Of HVAC Maintenance
If you are looking for a fixed figure HVAC maintenance cost, sadly, that’s not going to happen. It is because the costs vary from region to region, and then too, it is different for residential and commercial systems. At best, what you can get is a nationwide average, which is not the correct reflection of the true cost involved.
Do The Math To Access The Opportunity
The rule of thumb is that the HVAC maintenance cost depends on how much time it takes to carry out the AC tune-up. So, whenever you get a quote, here’s the math you need to do:
1. First up, divide the quoted price by the hourly rate of the contractor. The answer is the number of hours of service that you shall get.
2. Divide the above answer by the number of tune-up visits planned. The answer is the number of minutes or hours of service that you shall get on each visit.
3. If you have more than one piece of equipment, divide the above answer by the number of equipment. You shall finally derive the minutes the contractor plans to spend on each visit tuning up each equipment.
If somebody quotes a very lowball figure for HVAC maintenance, doing this math will give you an idea of how few minutes they plan to spend on the job. The estimation of time spent speaks volumes about the kind of job they plan to do.
Types Of HVAC Maintenance Plans
1. HVAC Preventive Maintenance Plan – HVAC preventive maintenance plan is the cheapest HVAC maintenance contract, which may or may not contain the expense of minor replacements. It is your core agreement with the HVAC contractor that consists of a predetermined number of scheduled visits annually to systematically inspect, analyze, tune-up, and clean the various parts of your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning unit.
2. Full Labor Plan – When you add the cost of all labor that is needed to carry out the repairs to the HVAC preventive maintenance plan, you get the full labor plan. However, critical is to remember that it does not include the parts that are needed to carry out the repairs.
3. Full Coverage Plan – This is the most expensive maintenance plan that you could buy for your heating and cooling system. It is like an insurance policy that covers all unforeseen eventualities for the HVAC. It covers the basic maintenance, cost of labor to carry out repairs, and also covers the parts needed for repairs.
Reasons Due To Which The Maintenance Cost Varies
There are several reasons due to which the HVAC maintenance cost varies. Let us have a peek at some of them.
1. Age Of The System – An old heating and cooling system obviously needs more care than a new one. In an old system, components fail often, and so frequent monitoring is required to c
atch the problems before they lead to any sort of malfunction and subsequent shutting down of the unit.
2. Usage – Commercial HVAC systems literally run non-stop to keep the people comfortable and the equipment safe. Some even operate under extremely unforgiving conditions. As against this, residential units operate relatively less and mostly stress-free. Understandably, a system that operates under pressure requires more monitoring than one that works without any strain.
3. Type Of System – Heating and cooling technology comes in different types. You have the mini-split systems, AC and furnace combinations, and the heat pump, just to name a few. Each type of system has its own set of peculiarities. Some types of HVAC systems are easier to tune while others are not. Due to this, depending on the type of system you own, the maintenance cost could vary.
4. Size Of System – The bigger the size of the system, the more there is to take care of. A big unit will have several compressors, a large number of electrical connections, numerous air filters, many fans, and belts, etc. One the other hand, a small system may have a single compressor, few air filters, and way less electrical connections to take care of. Therefore, the cost of maintaining a big unit will always be more than that for a smaller one.
5. Ease Of Access – The ease of access to different units’ components also plays a determining role in the cost of maintenance. If it is easy to reach the different parts, the cost will be less. As the difficulty increases in reaching the various parts, the cost of maintenance also increases.
To Conclude
HVAC maintenance increases the life of the unit. It also makes the system more reliable and efficient. With a strict maintenance schedule, your repair costs will always be low. To reap these benefits, you will naturally have to bear a price, which is the HVAC maintenance cost. The age and usage of the equipment, along with its size, type, and ease of access, will govern the maintenance cost. Hence, there is no fixed figure that can be universally accepted. It varies, and that is the truth.
When you live in West Palm Beach, Florida, place your trust in Aztil Air Conditioning services to take care of your HVAC unit. Our air experts are courteous and careful professionals, experienced in handling all your heating and cooling system requirements. Right from HVAC maintenance to repairs and installation, we have been doing it all for more than 30 years, and that too, successfully. We are a family-owned business that believes in honesty and integrity. We stand by the work done by our technicians, and customer satisfaction is our primary aim. To book an appointment, call us at +1-888-729-8452.
