Is An HVAC Maintenance Agreement Worth the Money?

A maintenance agreement is essentially a contract between you and your HVAC company for ongoing service. You pay a set fee and they agree to perform specific services within a defined time period and scope. Most agreements include semi-annual inspections and tune-ups. They may also include discounts on other services and even no overtime fees for after hours emergency calls.  If you’re trying to decide if a maintenance plan is worth the money, consider the following:

Annual maintenance is vital to keep your HVAC system in good working condition and at peak efficiency, so you’ll benefit from the twice-yearly checkups included in even a basic service agreement. You could also avoid big repairs bills, since your technician can identify minor problems before they escalate.

Before you decide — do your homework

• Check the math. If you’re paying for semi-annual system tune-ups now, how does the cost compare to what you’d pay for a maintenance agreement?

• Consider the age. If your HVAC system is older, a service agreement could save you inconvenience and expense, especially if it covers emergency service. If it’s still under warranty, you may only need a maintenance plan that includes annual tune-ups.

• Choose your contractor with care. Look for a reputable HVAC professional who provides expert, reliable service and who is licensed and insured, instead of one who offers a “deal” that sounds too good to be true.

• Read the fine print. Before you sign up for a service plan, read all the details in the fine print, so you understand exactly what’s included, and what’s not.

To learn how an HVAC maintenance agreement could save you money over the long-term, contact us at CCAC, Inc. We’ve proudly served Coastal Bend homeowners for over 30 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about maintenance agreements and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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