Here in the extreme weather of Texas, your HVAC system runs constantly. Most of the year is dedicated to blasting your AC unit to cancel out the heat, but your heating system certainly puts in its share of work during the colder months.
Because your HVAC system is put through so much, it only makes sense for it to receive regular maintenance to ensure it remains in prime operating condition. In addition to keeping your system in working order, receiving regular HVAC maintenance can help lower utility bills as well as catch small HVAC problems before they become much larger issues, potentially leading to the need for unnecessary repairs or even the need for an entirely new system.
Unfortunately, often tucked away in a closet or attic, HVAC systems can be easily overlooked. With the ever-changing seasons and the distractions of life, it’s not uncommon for years to pass without Texas homeowners considering the need for a tune-up. That is one of the many reasons why signing up for an annual HVAC maintenance agreement is so beneficial for you, your family, and your home.
In this post, our Rockwall heating and air technicians at Lyons Air & Heat answer what an HVAC maintenance plan is, what is included, and whether or not it is worth it.
What is an HVAC Maintenance Plan?
An HVAC maintenance plan is a type of annual service agreement offered by HVAC companies that focuses on the regular upkeep, cleaning, and care of heating and cooling systems. Most often, this involves a qualified AC service technician coming to your home or business twice a year to inspect your HVAC system and perform scheduled maintenance tasks.
The main goal of an HVAC maintenance plan is to ensure that home and business owners’ HVAC systems remain reliable and energy efficient while extending their lifespan. By conducting routine air conditioner and heater inspections, cleaning, and tune-ups, HVAC maintenance plans allow technicians to identify and address any potential issues before they turn into major problems. This proactive approach not only helps maintain optimal performance and improve indoor air quality but also promotes energy efficiency, resulting in lower utility bills.
At Lyons Air & Heat, our HVAC maintenance plan is known as The Cool Club. It provides a number of benefits and includes a comprehensive checklist of tasks that work to ensure your heating and cooling systems remain in tip-top shape year-round.
What’s Included in HVAC Maintenance Plans?
Every HVAC company is unique, which means there is likely plenty of variation when it comes to different companies’ maintenance plans. However, most HVAC companies will include two maintenance visits per year: one for AC units in the Spring and one for heaters in the Fall.
There is typically a long list of tasks that must be completed when performing routine HVAC maintenance on a furnace or air conditioner. Below, we’ll include our own Cool Club checklist that we abide by when completing seasonal HVAC maintenance visits.
Spring AC Maintenance
In the springtime, our skilled technicians provide superior air conditioning maintenance for your AC unit by:
- Checking refrigerant levels and pressures
- Checking condenser coil for debris
- Checking compressor amp draw
- Checking condenser fan motor amp draw
- Lubricating condenser fan motor
- Checking all electrical connections
- Cleaning electrical compartments
- Checking contactor/cleaning contactor
- Checking run capacitor
- Checking the start relay and start capacitor
- Checking drain piping and pans
- Blowing out condensate drain lines
- Checking low and high-pressure switches
- Checking/changing air filter
- Checking the condition of thermostat wire
- Checking blower motor
- Checking service valves and caps
- Checking the safety float switch
- Checking evaporator coil
- Inspecting ductwork
- Checking the operation of thermostat
Fall Heater Maintenance
In the fall, we’ll send one of our experienced Arlington HVAC technicians to get your heating system working at optimum efficiency by completing heating tune-up tasks such as:
- Checking heat exchanger
- Checking combustion motor operation
- Checking flue pipe and clearance from combustibles
- Checking gas valve operation
- Adjusting gas pressure
- Checking the operation of safety switches
- Checking blower motor
- Checking the blower wheel condition
- Lubricating blower motor
- Checking flame sensor
- Cleaning flame sensor
- Checking humidifier
- Checking/changing the air filter
- Checking electrical connections
- Testing ignition system
- Inspecting gas piping
- Checking for burnt wires and overheating
- Clearing furnace condensate pump on high-efficiency furnaces
- Checking defrost cycle of heat pumps
- Inspecting ductwork
- Checking the operation of thermostat
Benefits of HVAC Maintenance Plans
You already know that receiving regular maintenance on your HVAC system can improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality, extend its lifespan, and significantly minimize the need for costly repairs, but when you join The Cool Club, you can also take advantage of benefits such as:
- Priority service
- Priority scheduling
- Precision tune-up twice a year (one for heating and one for cooling)
- Your heating and cooling systems will be cleaned, adjusted, and checked for proper operation
- Heating and air conditioning system safety checks
- Code compliance checks
- Professional maintenance tasks
- Free filter replacements
- Recommendations for furnace or air conditioner system repairs
- Recommendations for system replacement
- Special discounts on HVAC system repairs
- No overtime or after-hours charges
How Much Do HVAC Maintenance Plans Cost?
The price of HVAC service contracts varies from company to company and can depend on several factors, including the level of coverage, the size of the system (commercial or residential), and the specific services performed. On average, a plan might range anywhere from $75 to $300 a year. However, when determining if HVAC maintenance agreements are worth the cost, it’s important to remember that they are specifically designed to help you save money in the long run.
Keep in mind that by investing in routine maintenance, you’re saving money on energy bills by ensuring that your heater or air conditioner operates efficiently year-round. What’s more, scheduled inspections and tune-ups help identify minor issues before they escalate into the need for major repairs and in turn, expensive repair bills. Regular HVAC maintenance plans also help extend the life of your system, so you can get the most out of your system before it’s time for HVAC replacement services.
Things To Consider Before Purchasing an HVAC Maintenance Plan
Before investing in a service contract, there are a few things you may want to consider to determine if it’s the right choice for you. This includes how you treat your HVAC unit, how often it requires maintenance, and the reputation of the HVAC company whose plan you’re interested in.
How You Treat Your HVAC Unit
Your actions and habits toward your HVAC system greatly influence its performance. Keeping heaters and air conditioners clean and running them at ideal times are just a few ways to handle your unit with care and intention. The maintenance practices you adopt at home can be equally as crucial as the tasks performed by a technician during a maintenance visit.
How Often Your System Requires Maintenance
Ideally, your heating and cooling system should each receive maintenance once a year (that’s once for your heating system and once for your cooling system, so two maintenance visits per year). If you need to perform maintenance or repairs more frequently than that, it might actually be time for a replacement. Keep in mind, though, that even new HVAC units require regular maintenance.
The Reputation of the HVAC Company
Untrustworthy companies might use maintenance contracts to recommend unnecessary repair visits or perform unsatisfactory maintenance in an attempt to get more money out of you. You’ll want to strongly consider the reputation of the company in question and listen to what their reviews have to say. When consulting an HVAC company regarding their HVAC service plan, be sure to ask plenty of questions to ensure they have the knowledge, resources, and dedication to provide high-quality maintenance services.
To Learn More, Call the Rockwall HVAC Professionals at Lyons Air & Heat Today
So, what’s the conclusion? Are HVAC maintenance plans worth it?
While there are costs associated with HVAC service contracts, many homeowners and businesses find them worth the expense. The upfront investment in an HVAC maintenance plan like The Cool Club is often outweighed by the potential savings and benefits it provides.
If you want to make sure you’re up-to-date on your HVAC maintenance needs and keep your system running smoothly throughout the peak heating and cooling season, an HVAC maintenance plan may be just the thing you need. To learn more about The Cool Club or to inquire about any of the other residential or commercial HVAC services we provide, call a Rockwall HVAC contractor at Lyons Air & Heat at (214) 432-2859 or reach out to us online today!
