Some homeowners attempt to protect their HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems with a home warranty that kicks in if some sort of breakdown occurs. However, home warranties may not actually reduce the cost of HVAC repair or replacement. In addition, they typically lack proactive provisions that keep your heating/cooling system in good working order and prevent the need for repairs and replacements in the first place. Chances are, you’ll do better with a targeted HVAC maintenance plan arranged through a trusted service provider in your area.
What Is a Home Warranty?
A home warranty is a contract designed to protect you from paying the full cost of servicing, repairing or replacing your home’s main systems or appliances. As a rule, the renewable contract lasts for one year. On average, a typical home warranty contract will cost you roughly $350 to $500 a month. You may pay an additional monthly fee for a more comprehensive contract, or for increased coverage on specific appliances or system components. In most cases, you must pay a separate fee every time the home warranty company provides servicing, repair or replacement.
What Is an HVAC Maintenance Plan?
To keep your HVAC system in good working order, you must establish a regular maintenance schedule and stick to that schedule over time. However, life is complicated, and you can easily forget to carry out routine maintenance on a timely basis. You can avoid any problems associated with sporadic HVAC maintenance by drawing up a comprehensive plan in conjunction with a local, reliable HVAC specialist. For a typically reasonable fee, this specialist will create a checklist and timetable for your plan and show up at prearranged times to perform specific, season-appropriate steps in the overall maintenance process.
Benefits of an HVAC Maintenance Plan
The typical HVAC maintenance plan offers several important advantages over the typical home warranty. First, unlike home warranties, maintenance plans provide for free, periodic servicing of your HVAC system. This means that you pay no additional fee for scheduled visits. If you have an emergency, your specialist maintenance provider places a priority on your needs and usually reaches your home on the day you request service. Home warranty companies, on the other hand, may delay a visit to your residence for a day or longer, even in emergency situations. Additional benefits of an HVAC maintenance plan include service provided by an HVAC expert rather than a general contractor, lowered utility costs due to reliably efficient HVAC function, and (in some cases) the chance to receive significant discounts for both parts and labor.
If you need advice on establishing an HVAC maintenance plan, you can call the experts at Bartlett Heating & Air Conditioning. We rely on decades of experience to devise a plan that fits your specific needs and budget. In addition, make sure to follow us here for ongoing tips on best practices for HVAC maintenance, repair and replacement.
