When you buy a new car, do you run it 100,000 miles without getting the oil changed or rotating the tires? Not a chance. So, why ignore your HVAC system? Annual AC and furnace maintenance keeps your equipment working efficiently and reduces the chances of an unexpected breakdown.
Taking care of your HVAC system is as simple as regularly changing your furnace filter and signing up for an annual maintenance program.
How to select the best HVAC maintenance program for your home
Joining an annual HVAC maintenance program is an investment in your heating and cooling system. It’s important to select a program that provides the most benefit to you as a homeowner. Annual furnace and AC maintenance performed by a trained technician should include:
- Inspection of safety switches and devices
- Check for cracks or damage of heat exchanger
- Filter replacement
- Calibration of temperature and air flow controls
- Washing the outdoor condenser coil
- Blower speed adjustments
- Inspect drains and traps
- Inspections of all electrical components
But not every maintenance program is the same, so we’ve put together a few questions you can ask yourself when comparing your options.
Question 1: Does the HVAC maintenance program include cleaning?
Look for a maintenance program that includes a full cleaning of your HVAC system. The main benefit of having your equipment serviced twice a year is ensuring everything is in tip-top shape – and that includes cleaning. Having your furnace and AC cleaned properly by a technician extends the life of the equipment and helps it run more efficiently. By not properly cleaning your furnace and AC every year, your HVAC system can lose up to 40% of efficiency.
Question 2: What additional benefits will I receive?
When signing up for a maintenance program, it’s important to look at what additional benefits are included. Members of the Bell Brothers Comfort Club are automatically enrolled in our Loyalty Program, receive either 24-hour or same-day priority service when an unexpected breakdown occurs, and up to a two-year warranty on repairs. Comfort Club members also have diagnostic fees waived, which can be a significant cost savings for homeowners faced with a repair.
Question 3: Does the company provide advice and recommendations?
Not all HVAC companies give free advice or recommendations to homeowners. Before signing up for an annual HVAC maintenance program ask whether or not the company will provide advice and recommendations based on either what they discover during a maintenance check or what questions you have. When a Bell Brothers technician is with a homeowner, we provide recommendations based on the age of equipment, new products that would be beneficial, and most importantly we always discuss safety – especially if there is aging HVAC equipment in the home.
We also frequently receive questions from homeowners about how they can improve indoor air quality or combat dry air during the winter. Our technicians are always ready and happy to discuss these questions or any other question a homeowner might have about improving the comfort levels in their home.
Question 4: How do I know which membership level is right for me?
When selecting the membership level that fits your budget and home it’s important to think about the age of your equipment. If your entire HVAC system is only one to five years old, you can probably join at a lower membership level. Once the warranty on your new equipment ends, it’s a good idea to move to a membership level that provides cost savings on diagnostic fees and repair warranties.
If you have equipment that is past the ten year mark and you want to keep your furnace and AC running efficiently for as long as possible, the highest membership level is likely going to provide the most value. For example, our Premium membership level provides a full diagnostic check twice a year and includes additional cleaning of the blower wheel, burner, condensate pan and chemical coil cleaning. These additional services will help extend the life of your equipment and keep it running safely.
At Bell Brothers, our primary objective is to help provide homeowners with the peace of mind that their HVAC systems are running at optimal safety and efficiency. We work closely with homeowners to understand their needs and challenges and help them choose an annual HVAC maintenance plan that works best for them.
