Often called preventative maintenance plans, service contracts are agreements between consumers and HVAC companies that cover the costs of annual tune-ups. Whether available for a one-time fee or a low monthly charge, these agreements limit the burden of providing heat pumps, furnaces, and air conditioners with the care they need. No matter how you control the climate in your Nashua, NH home, investing in a service contract is a great way to save money, maintain compliance with manufacturer warranties, and enjoy peace of mind. Read on to learn all about the benefits they provide.
Annual Tune-up Services for All Covered HVAC Equipment
Annual tune-ups extend the lifespans of heaters, heat pumps, and air conditioners. They also optimize their efficiency and limit the risk of major repairs.
Service contracts cover the costs of these visits. Best of all, homeowners get the same comprehensive service they’d receive if scheduling these appointments without coverage. Our technicians use the same tune-up checklists for all visits and perform all of the same maintenance tasks, including:
- Test and calibrate thermostats
- Test blower motors and blower fans
- Lubricate all moving parts
- Clean indoor air handlers and outdoor equipment
- Optimize airflow
We also replace all worn, damaged, or missing components and test all electrical connections.
If you use a heat pump for year-round climate control, your HVAC preventative maintenance plan will cover two yearly tune-ups. This way, our technicians can prime your heat pump for the demands of the cooling season and again just before winter arrives.
Are HVAC Air Ducts Covered, Too?
During annual heater, heat pump, and AC maintenance, HVAC companies check the integrity of all visible air ducts. Airflow testing can point out perforations, crushed sections, and other structural damages hidden behind drywall or other building features. Although these inspections are a standard part of seasonal tune-up services, they don’t constitute annual HVAC air duct maintenance.
Be sure to check the terms of your HVAC contract to learn the limits on HVAC air duct maintenance. More often than not, air duct cleaning, sealing, and insulating are separate, non-covered services that entail separate charges.
Timely Service Reminders
HVAC service contracts help homeowners stay on top of preventative maintenance. Service contract providers send out mailers, e-mail alerts, and text messages as reminders. When signing up for a preventative maintenance plan, you can specify your preferred method of contact.
Priority Appointment Scheduling
With an HVAC preventative maintenance plan, you can avoid lengthy delays when scheduling heating and cooling repairs. On the hottest and coldest days of the year, many local HVAC companies are inundated with urgent, last-minute service requests. Your contract will make you a priority customer and entitle you to “first dibs” when claiming available appointments. Not only does this make it easier to quickly resolve problems, but it also helps covered customers land appointments that work well with their busy schedules.
Discounted Parts
You can expect to pay less for replacement parts when you have an HVAC service contract. Some HVAC companies offer parts discounts as high as 10% to 15% for covered clients. Even when paying less, you’ll still get original equipment manufacturer parts, and your provider will still install them according to manufacturer specifications. With a preventative maintenance plan, saving money doesn’t mean compromising on quality.
These discounts are often available for both the replacement parts required for preventative maintenance and the replacement parts that are needed for repairs. Whether you need a new fan bearing during a heat pump tune-up or a new run capacitor because your AC won’t turn on, your out-of-pocket spending will be lower.
Discounted Repairs
Some preventative maintenance plans even offer discounts on the labor required for AC, heat pump, and heater repairs. Thus, you’ll pay less for the parts you need and less to have them installed. Savings like these can be especially helpful when problems with AC or heat pump compressors, furnace heat exchangers, or other costly components arise.
Discounted After-Hours Scheduling
When it comes to breakdowns, major home systems and appliances can have the worst possible timing. Fortunately, if your air conditioner breaks down on a Friday night, you can schedule a convenient, Saturday morning appointment without having to pay a veritable fortune. With plans that offer discounted after-hours scheduling and companies that offer around-the-clock service, you won’t have to wait through a long weekend to save money.
Coverage for Other Home Appliances and Systems
Many companies offer the option to include other home appliances or home systems. Some preventative maintenance agreements cover plumbing systems, water heaters, or sump pumps. Best of all, it’s often possible to build these service contracts according to your unique preferences and needs. For instance, if you already have covered preventative maintenance for your plumbing system as part of a home insurance plan or home warranty agreement, you can leave this system out and enjoy lower annual or monthly charges.
Why Purchase an HVAC Preventative Maintenance Plan?
New heaters, heat pumps, and air conditioners come with manufacturer warranties. While limited parts warranties might last just five to 10 years, coverage for major components like heat exchangers and AC compressors can last up to 15. Throughout the duration of any HVAC warranty, equipment manufacturers will pay for all problems resulting from:
- Defective parts
- Incorrect assembly
- Shipping-related damages
- Non-wear-related performance issues
However, to avoid paying for problems that homeowners cause by failing to pay for professional installation or neglecting routine maintenance, warranty issuers make stipulations of their own. Having a preventative maintenance plan makes it easy to remain compliant with the terms of these mutually binding agreements. With a service contract, you can minimize your risk of having these important protections voided outright.
Service contracts limit the financial burden of remaining warranty compliant. For one low annual price or a reasonable monthly charge, you can greatly minimize your spending on professional repairs, required tune-ups, and original equipment manufacturer parts.
Give Your HVAC Equipment the Model-Specific Care It Deserves
Signing up for a service contract is also a great way to give your HVAC equipment knowledgeable, model-specific care at all times. Working with the same HVAC company throughout the lifespan of your heating and cooling equipment ensures that your provider understands its service history, has access to the right parts, and can quickly diagnose even the most complex problems.
Prepare for Future HVAC Replacements
Some HVAC service contracts even have provisions that help homeowners prepare for future replacements. After all, most heaters, heat pumps, and air conditioners last just 15 to 20 years. With the right preventative maintenance plan, you might qualify for significant discounts or have access to financial resources that those who lack service contracts do not.
Since 1995, we’ve been proudly serving Nashua, NH with top-notch heating, air conditioning, and water heater services. We also offer indoor air quality improvements, Wi-Fi thermostats, and oil-to-gas conversions. To find out about our service contract or schedule an appointment, contact Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. now.
