HVAC Maintenance Plans VS Warranties
HVAC maintenance plans and manufacturer’s warranties are both designed to protect homeowners from the high costs of repairing or replacing their HVAC system before it wears out due to normal use. An HVAC maintenance plan includes a number of advantages as opposed to just having a warranty, but both are good to have in place to make sure your system operates as efficiently and effectively as it was designed to.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
The manufacturer’s warranty is included when you make a purchase of a new HVAC system from a reputable HVAC contractor. Manufacturer’s warranties cover your entire system (under normal use) for a specified period of time. The length of a manufacturer’s warranty depends on the system’s manufacturer, but most reputable companies warranty their compressors for anywhere from 10 to 12 years. Other components of a new system will be covered for a minimum of 12 months, and most include any labor charges that might occur during that time.
Maintenance Plans
A maintenance plan is a separate agreement or contract you may enter into with an independent HVAC contractor. Regularly scheduled maintenance of your home’s HVAC system will help ensure that your manufacturer’s warranty remains intact and your system operates effectively. Most (if not all) HVAC manufacturers require that your system be regularly serviced in order to maintain your factory warranty.
Regularly scheduled maintenance visits help keep your system running as efficiently as it was designed to, and can often discover and correct minor issues with your system. Finding small issues early keeps them from turning into bigger, more costly problems later on.
What Maintenance Plans Include
If you participate in a regularly scheduled maintenance plan, most HVAC companies will visit your home two times per year: once in the spring before hot weather arrives, and once in the fall before cold weather arrives. You may also be entitled to discounts on parts and service calls, as well as be placed at the top of the list (priority service) if you ever need service beyond your normal bi-annual visits.
Most HVAC maintenance plans include a full inspection of your system, both of the outside unit and the inside unit. All parts are inspected and coils and other components are inspected and cleaned. Electrical components are inspected as well. All drainage systems are checked and cleaned to make sure there are no blockages. Depending on the contractor, many other services are performed as well, including checking and replacing batteries in your thermostat and replacing or cleaning your air filters.
While a maintenance plan is not required for your home’s HVAC system, it just makes good sense to have a plan in place. Your home’s HVAC system is likely the most expensive appliance you own, and it uses the most energy by far. Making sure it is operating as efficiently as it was designed to is a smart move.
We Can Help
To learn more about our maintenance plans at Legacy Heating & Cooling, give us a call at (205) 364-1044 or visit our website. As your local American Standard Customer Care Dealer in Tuscaloosa, AL, we care about the comfort of your whole home and family. For more information, tips, and to follow along with our work, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
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