As the temperatures are rising, it is time to talk about air conditioning maintenance. Bringing in a contractor from a local HVAC services company at the beginning of each summer is a great way to keep your air conditioning unit running cold all summer long.
We know, money is tight for everyone; having to pay for local HVAC services makes it a little bit tighter. Why pay for an HVAC contractor when you don’t even need air conditioning repairs? The fact is, having a broken air conditioning can be incredibly expensive and a huge hassle when it’s really hot out. Getting routine maintenance with a local HVAC services contractor will catch small issues before they become big issues, and will ensure that your HVAC systems don’t quit on you when you need them the most. If you are not convinced yet, here are a few more reasons not to skimp on your routine local HVAC services:
- Improved energy efficiency. Your air conditioner is the greatest energy consumer in your home, especially if you live in an extremely hot environment. Not only does this put a strain on the Earth’s natural resources, but it really run up the meter and hits your wallet on your energy bill. When you bring in a local HVAC technician to fine-tune your AC, they will look for ways to improve the energy efficiency of the unit. According to service expert Angie’s List, having your AC unit checked out by a licensed HVAC expert each year can reduce your electric bill by approximately 15%.
- Extending the life of your AC unit. We’re gonna let you in on a little secret: replacing your AC unit altogether is expensive. Like, very expensive. A new air conditioning unit cost a minimum of $10,000, and easily upwards of $20,000! If you are concerned with the cost of annual AC maintenance, you’ll really be concerned with the cost of replacing your AC unit altogether. When you stay on top of regular AC check ups, your technician will identify any small issues before they become big issues, and potentially break your unit altogether.
- Peace of mind. There are a lot of regular AC maintenance tasks that a homeowner with a little know-how can do themselves: you can change your filter out, clean the fins, and look for air leaks yourself. However, the expert eyes of a professional air conditioning maintenance goes far deeper than the average DIYer can do themselves. A maintenance repair man will look at the motor, the blower, the coils, the drain lines, the operating pressures, and the refrigerant levels (to name a few). This deep-level inspection will give you confidence that your AC is in great shape, and will keep you cool all summer long.
Hiring the Right HVAC Contractor
Hopefully, you are on team “Regular AC Maintenance” now. If you are, keep in mind that you don’t want to hire just anyone. Bringing in someone you found on Craigslist with no credentials because they promise a full checkup for $9.99 could do more damage than good, if they do not really know what they’re doing. In order to make the most of your annual AC check up you should look for an HVAC contractor who is worth the money:
- Licensing. Having an HVAC license is your guarantee that the contractor has gone through the proper training and knows what they are doing.
- Being insured and bonded. This is incredibly important. If anything were to go wrong during your HVAC contractors maintenance call, their insurance would repair any damage.
- Reputation. Getting referrals from your friends and family is a good way to find an HVAC contractor who’s already proven their competence. Otherwise, search online reviews while looking for a good HVAC contractor. We should note that it’s hard to please everyone, and consumers are 10 times more likely to leave a negative review than a positive. So one negative review should not deter you from using an HVAC contractor, however if you see the same complaint over and over, this should be a red flag.
Do you have any other tips for hiring an HVAC contractor? If so, please add them in the comment section below!
