What factors affect the cost of HVAC service?
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An HVAC system, just like any other appliance, needs repairs after a few months/years of use. However, the repair costs differ from one appliance to another, depending on a number of factors. In this post, we’ll take you through what those factors are. Knowing and understanding them will help you to fix a budget for your HVAC Service maintenance costs. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
1. The age of your HVAC system
If your HVAC system is more than a decade old, it’s likely to keep encountering technical issues frequently. The issues may be minor, but when they occur regularly, you’ll have to keep spending money on getting them resolved. Then there’s also the possibility of severe issues, which may be even costlier to fix.
Repairs become particularly tricky with old systems when individual components are irreversibly damaged. In such situations, you may have to wait long and hard for replacements to be sourced. This happens due to ever-evolving and advancing technologies. What was new a decade back is obsolete today – that’s how it works. In our opinion, it’s much better to invest in a new-age HVAC system than shell out money on repairing an old one.
2. The regular upkeep and maintenance of your system
If you want your HVAC system to function effectively and efficiently for a long time, you need to put in some effort at your end as well. There are several types of AC repair work that you can undertake by yourself, without needing the help of expert technicians. Examples of such repairs and maintenance work include cleaning air filters, ducts, vents, etc.
However, many owners of HVAC systems don’t take the time out to maintain their appliances. If you’re one of them, don’t be surprised if one day your system suddenly encounters a major issue and fails to provide the heating/cooling you need. A major technical issue would also cost you significantly more money to resolve, as you’ll need expert assistance from the professionals. But if you put some effort into the DIY repairs of your air conditioning system, you can save a lot of money in the long run.
3. The season during which your system needs repairs
HVAC systems are used for both heating and cooling purposes. As a result, how high the repair costs are depends a lot on the season during which your system experiences technical issues. For example, if you experience cooling issues during the summer months, you’re likely to have to pay more for repairs than what you would pay for similar snags in winters. This is because, in the summers, there’s a great demand for professionals who have the technical expertise required to repair cooling systems. And you know how the laws of economics work right?
That’s why it’s important to think ahead and give your HVAC system the preventive maintenance and repairs it needs. If you primarily use your system in the summer to provide cooling, get its issues checked and fixed during the winter. This will ensure that the system is ready to give you the efficient cooling you need during summer. Similarly, if your system’s primarily meant to heat up the indoors during the winters, get it ready during the summer. This way, you can keep the repair costs from skyrocketing due to seasonal demand.
4. The extent of the damage
Sometimes, an air conditioning unit experiences a minor snag such as a clogged air filter. You can resolve these issues on your own if you follow the instructions properly. Even if you’re unable to perform repairs due to a disability or any other reason, the professionals won’t charge you a fortune for unclogging the HVAC system’s air filter. However, what if the problem lies in the compressor unit?
When core electrical components of the system, such as the compressor, are damaged, the repair costs tend to be drastically higher. In some cases, the components can’t be repaired and need to be replaced. In such scenarios, you can expect the costs to be even greater. To avoid severe and/or irreversible damage to your HVAC system’s core components, we recommend scheduling at least two maintenance sessions every year – once during the summer and once more in the winter.
5. Size of the system
Typically, AC service costs are lower for smaller systems than those of bigger systems. This is due to the fact that most components used in smaller systems tend to be more affordable. Even if your HVAC system experiences major damage to the compressor or other critical components, the service costs may be reasonable if your system is small.
However, it all boils down to how well your system is maintained. If you take proper care of its repairs and maintenance, you can expect it to serve you well for a long time to come.