When you call a (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) HVAC technician, you may notice that many companies offer a maintenance plan. This is a plan where you pay monthly, or every few months depending on the company. The plan will give you benefits that you don't get without it. If you are trying to decide if an HVAC maintenance plan is worth the money, here are some things you should consider.

What is the HVAC Maintenance Plan?

An HVAC maintenance plan is a plan that allows you to pay for benefits you won't otherwise receive from an HVAC company. The price of the plan depends on the company and what the plan covers. You can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $500 per year.

What are the Benefits of the Plan?

Just as the price varies by company, the benefits do to. However, most companies offer many of the same perks with their preventative maintenance plan. These include:

• Annual or semi-annual cleaning

• Discounted repairs and parts

• Priority scheduling

• Receiving service from a trusted company

With the maintenance plan, you will likely receive a checkup on your equipment every six months or every year (depending on the plan). The maintenance will either be free with your plan or severely discounted. If anything needs to be repaired, the cost of the parts and labor will be discounted as well. If anything suddenly breaks on any of your equipment, you won't have to worry about going days without heating or air conditioning. The companies give priority to anyone who has a maintenance plan over those who don't. There is another benefit that many people don't think about. Well-maintained equipment leads to lower utility bills. Not only will you be saving on your maintenance and repairs, your monthly heating and cooling bills will be lower from receiving scheduled maintenance.

When the Plan isn't Necessary?

Nothing is one size fits all, which is why some companies will offer different plans to suit your needs and budget. Is there ever a time when none of the plans are necessary? It depends. If you just purchased brand new equipment, you want to make sure you know exactly what your warranty covers. If it covers parts and labor for a couple of years, having the maintenance plan may just give you an unnecessary bill. Once your warranty is expired, you should definitely pick up the maintenance plan.

You need to treat your HVAC equipment like your vehicle, not your refrigerator. They need regular maintenance to run properly. Failing to care for your equipment properly leads to short life spans and higher utility bills. Purchasing a preventative maintenance plan once your warranty expires is necessary for every homeowner. For more information, contact Wightman Mechanical.