HVAC Maintenance Cost Guide

Ever wondered How Much Does HVAC Maintenance Cost? The cost of HVAC preventative maintenance is fully dependent on whether or not your system requires a typical maintenance check, or an emergency HVAC repair. Traditionally, the cost of standard HVAC maintenance is a low-budget endeavor, much of which can be done by you. In certain cases, it is recommended to hire a professional contractor who is an HVAC expert, but more often than not such maintenance tasks can be handled by you, yourself! Standard HVAC unit maintenance includes cleaning condenser coils, hosing down the exterior AC unit, and changing the filter in the furnace when necessary. All of these maintenance items are low cost, DIY projects that can be completed by homeowners and without professional assistance.

What's Included with Preventative Maintenance

Standard HVAC unit maintenance includes cleaning condenser coils, hosing down the exterior AC unit, and changing the filter in the furnace when necessary. All of these preventive HVAC maintenance items are low cost, DIY projects that can be completed by homeowners and without professional assistance.However, there will be times in the life of your HVAC system where the heating and cooling service of a licensed professional will be required. Every HVAC company preaches the need for yearly scheduled HVAC airconditioning service and maintenance, provided by a HVAC technician. The gospel truth of HVAC servicing is that your system needs a professional inspection every year. Professional checkups and preventative maintenance are crucial for the continued operation and longevity of your HVAC system, and many Air Conditioner warranties require regular servicing for the warranty for your AC unit to remain valid. This is where a HVAC maintenance agreement or HVAC maintenance contract comes into play. Here are some of the categories of hvac maintenance costs, and examples of the work you can expect to pay for.

Proactive Maintenance Costs

Proactive maintenance costs refer to any out of pocket, tune-up cost that has to do with standard HVAC preventative maintenance. These costs can range from something small like replacing a part, or something slightly more expensive like a standard professional HVAC service call. Here are some examples of the usual prices of proactive maintenance for heating and cooling systems: -Standard service call and HVAC system tune-up...$100-$150-Inspecting the vents and changing the air filter…$5-$40-Coolant…$30-$120-Cleaning the external AC Unit…$5 in cleaning supplies and about an hour of your time

Reactive Maintenance Costs

Reactive maintenance costs refer to any cost that requires immediate attention to your AC unit for it to function and maintain energy efficiency. Often reactive maintenance costs are the result of a fan belt breaking or a coolant leak. These costs are exponentially higher than proactive maintenance costs and often require a surplus of spending depending on what parts need to be replaced. Examples of Reactive maintenance costs include: -Replace condenser coil or evaporator coil…$1,900 to $2,900-Replace blower motor...$450-Repair refrigerant leak...$200 to $1,500-Replace compressor...$1,900+-Replace pressure sensor/circuit board...$350As you can tell, reactive maintenance HVAC repair does not have the same tune-up cost as a proactive maintenance service.

Specialty Jobs

Specialty jobs are typically a more expensive category of maintenance projects than the standard cleanings and system checkups. Specialty jobs often require intense labor of a skilled technician, which in and of itself is going to be a higher premium than a standard visit. Additionally, specialty jobs usually require specific parts that are often special ordered or just downright expensive. One example of a specialty job for HVAC maintenance is ductwork. This intricate process requires specialized equipment and may even necessitate you leaving your house for a couple of days. Clean ducts are integral for ensuring that your heating and cooling systems are running as efficiently as possible, and specialty jobs like duct cleaning can run anywhere between $300-$500. Damaged ducts can affect energy efficiency, eventually leading to elevated energy bills.

Service Contracts

One of the biggest dilemmas facing a home or business owner is whether to take advantage of the service contract (maintenance agreement) offered by their HVAC system company. The terms of these service contracts vary depending on the HVAC systems provider, but almost all service contracts cover some form of regularly scheduled maintenance. Additionally, priority service is included in a service contract, which can make the whole contract worthwhile, especially if you find yourself in need of immediate assistance. This could be a beneficial option for business owners who have to look after commercial HVAC units. The typical price for an HVAC service contract ranges from $100-$500 per year but often does not cover parts. Most commonly service contracts are offered while the AC unit itself is still under warranty, which puts homeowners in a bit of a pickle. If your AC unit fails while still under warranty then the repair cost is covered by the manufacturer. Without the priority assistance of a service contract, you could find yourself waiting somewhere between two and four weeks for a HVAC repair. Especially during the summer months when HVAC companies are busy with all sorts of emergency repairs due to high temperature, the yearly cost of a service contract seems worth it, just in case. Regular HVAC maintenance service is crucial for the longevity of your HVAC unit. Often it is the upfront costs like regular professional service visits and performance contracts that yield the best results for your system. While these upfront costs may seem pricey, they are much less costly than the out of pocket cost that comes from a major HVAC malfunction that could call for installation of an entirely new system. To best protect your HVAC system and your wallet, make sure you have the best possible protection plan and are getting the necessary regular preventive maintenance. We also provide heating and air conditioning system repair in Santa Rosa and the surrounding areas for customers in need of immediate help or believe their issue is beyond normal maintenance.

HVAC Maintenance Tasks

When a professional comes to service your ac and units, they will perform a preventative and diagnostic maintenance. Here is a list a professional HVAC technician does during an annual AC and heating unit maintenance visits:

AC Maintenance

• Replace filters
• Check condition of belts and pulleys
• Clean condenser, evaporator coil, drain lines, and pans
• Check electrical connections, thermostats, drain lines, pans, and blower motor
• Ensure adequate air flow
• Lubricate motors, bearings, and other moving parts

Heating System Maintenance

• Replace filters on heating equipment
• Check conditions of belts, pulleys, electrical connections, operation of fan, blower motor
• Clear drain lines and pans
• Inspect ignition, burner assembly, and heat exchanger

Is it Worth it?

While looking at the different HVAC maintenance contract offers, you may be wondering if you are getting the most out of your money. The simple answer is yes. To be more concise, having regular maintenance check ups can save you time and money in the long run by creating longer HVAC equipment life and costing you lower energy expenses at the same time. Having a HVAC technician do an annual maintenance check can be beneficial for forecasting future maintenance problems before it is too late and even more costly repairs are created to fix. Although looking at the prices for a HVAC maintenance plan can be daunting, just remember that your future self will thank you for taking the time to do this.

Simpson Sheet Metal

Looking for preventative HVAC maintenance? As a leading HVAC contractor in the Northern Bay Area...we can do it ALL Our services range from routine maintenance to custom ductwork. We provide heating and air conditioning repair in Santa Rosa and the surrounding areas for customers in need of immediate help or believe their issue is beyond normal maintenance.Contact Us[bdp_post_carousel show_author="false" show_comments="false" media_size="medium"]