Is an HVAC Maintenance Plan Really Necessary?

Is an HVAC maintenance plan really necessary? Any St. Louis homeowner has seen, and likely considered, ads from HVAC companies telling them of the importance of an annual maintenance plan in keeping their heating and cooling systems running and their home comfortable. You may be thinking, do I really need an HVAC maintenance plan? The answer is: yes and no. HVAC maintenance is absolutely necessary to ensure your system operates at peak efficiency and won’t suffer unexpected failures. That doesn’t mean you need a maintenance plan with a reputable HVAC contractor. However, most homeowners would likely benefit from an annual service plan instead of just paying a one-time maintenance fee twice a year. Read on to see how an HVAC maintenance plan in St. Louis can benefit you, then call SmartHouse at 314-648-3162 to talk over our service plan options or schedule your service today.

Why HVAC Maintenance Is Necessary

If you want to keep your energy bills low and ensure you and your St. Louis family are comfortable during the hottest and coldest months, your HVAC system needs maintenance. You should schedule a furnace tune-up and AC maintenance once a year each.

During a maintenance visit, a certified HVAC technician will thoroughly inspect and fine tune your system to ensure it’s operating at peak efficiency. If any repairs are needed, they’ll prepare recommendations for what needs to be repaired, and fix the issue once you agree to their quote.

Without this service, your home’s HVAC system will eventually degrade. Just like a car or a computer, the machinery in HVAC systems wears down over years of consistent use. This decreases its efficiency (raising your monthly utility bills) and increases the likelihood that the system will experience failure on an especially hot or cold day. While we can’t guarantee you’ll experience a failure if you skip one year of maintenance, it’s a pretty safe bet that you will if you’ve ignored the health of your system for several years. Maintenance is important because:

• It saves money in the long run. By having a professional technician inspect and tune up your system on a regular basis, you can identify small issues before they become major problems. If your unit fails, there’s a good chance that the repair or replacement will cost you more than paying for maintenance every year would. While a well-maintained HVAC system should last 15-20 years, ignoring maintenance will cause yours to suffer complete failure much, much sooner.
• It ensures your system is safe. HVAC systems that aren’t regularly inspected can pose a serious safety risk. For example, a gas furnace that isn’t inspected regularly could develop a gas leak or a cracked heat exchanger, which could result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Similarly, an air conditioning system that hasn’t been maintained could leak refrigerant, which is harmful to you and your family. Any safety hazards will be caught during a maintenance visit.
• It keeps your home comfortable year-round. Your HVAC system plays a critical role in keeping your home comfortable year-round. However, if your system isn’t working properly, you may experience uneven temperatures, poor indoor air quality, or even complete system failure. An HVAC maintenance plan ensures that your system is running at peak performance, which can help you avoid these issues and keep your home comfortable no matter the season.
• It maintains the manufacturer’s warranty. Many HVAC systems come with a manufacturer’s warranty that covers certain repairs or replacement parts. However, these warranties often require that you maintain your system properly by having it serviced on a regular basis. If you neglect regular maintenance, you could void your warranty and be responsible for costly replacement parts that would have otherwise been covered.

Why An HVAC Maintenance Plan is Beneficial

Now you know why you need HVAC maintenance in St. Louis to stay comfortable, stay safe, and save money. But, do you really need to pay for a service plan for a twice-a-year service? Can’t I just pay someone a flat rate each time? You certainly can, and many St. Louis homeowners choose to do so. However, we believe that any homeowner could benefit from one of our service plans for a variety of reasons:

• Convenience — With a service plan, you know that each HVAC tune-up will be done by a trusted provider whose work you’ve seen before. Additionally, with a service plan you won’t have to worry about forgetting to get your system checked each season — our office will reach out to you about scheduling your maintenance.
• Money — Our annual maintenance plans are less expensive per visit than paying a la carte for single maintenance visits. We also offer additional benefits that lower cost, such as 20% off any needed repairs or waiving certain service fees.
• Priority — HVAC contractors typically give priority service to homeowners who pay for an annual maintenance plan. If your system fails and you’re sitting on your couch sweating through your shirt or shivering under a pile of blankets, the last thing you want to hear is that the next available appointment is a week away. Under a service plan, you’ll be guaranteed a quick response time.

Take a look at the specifics of SmartHouse’s annual maintenance plans below:

Call SmartHouse For Your HVAC Maintenance Plan in St. Louis

Any St. Louis homeowner knows that they have to work their heating and cooling systems pretty hard to stay comfortable all year long. To ensure your unit is up to the task, it’s wise to invest in an annual HVAC maintenance plan with a trusted and experienced HVAC company. At SmartHouse, all of our services and recommendations are geared toward being honest, ethical, and doing what’s best for the customer. If you’re looking for a tune-up or repair in St. Louis, or are interested in talking about our HVAC maintenance plans, speak to a team member today at 314-648-3162, text us at 314-310-2242, or contact us online.