But most are trying to keep your system running at maximum efficiency . What do you do when the company that's providing the service contract tries to upsell you every time they come to perform routine maintenance? Every time this new guy comes, he brings in a bunch of gadgets & tries to convince me I need to add each of these to my system (he tells doom & gloom tales). Subject: HVAC Service Contracts/Major install contracts in general. They scare you by saying things like: “We can’t risk you getting waste oil delivered by some unscrupulous company. Comparison is made to an oil change in a car but this is needed service on a combustion engine and I see nothing in HVAC system that needs this type of maintenance. We design, install, maintain, repair equipment ranging from absorption chillers to mini splits. The contract may cost more than the service or repair it offers. This contract is valid for one year from the date of sign up. You would assume the author of the article would have known more about the subject matter before providing Angie's List members a false sense of security about not having routine yearly maintenance done. But until then, the many reputable HVAC companies are providing a necessary service for those who care about long term dependability rather than do nothing but setting back and complaining about how bad their units are. I've installed and serviced Carrier equipment for many years. I appreciate the peace of mind it gives me. They walk in with or without a contract and start selling you things you don't need. Subject: Ac tune ups are more valuable than oil changes. The company that installed it urged us to sign up for a service agreement. What we need to realize is the importance of Maintaining your unit. Under Parts Insurance we will repair or replace defective parts of your oil burner, as listed below, for the entire heating season from date of signing to May 31st. Mike Giasullo Oil Burner Service Inc. is a family owned and operated oil burner service company that provides 24/7 emergency oil burner services, scheduled maintenance, boiler installations, furnace installations, oil tank replacement and removals. Dave Mejean of B & W Plumbing & Heating in Indianapolis works on a client's HVAC system. Insurance, rent, utillities, etc all need to be covered. I've had a couple of highly rated companies perform a one time annual inspection on my A/C and heating split system unit (which were both 10+ years old and never had an inspection). Plumbing. For example, a heat exchanger may fail prematurely because the gas pressure was operating to high, cooking the metal and causing premature deterioration, leading to cracks and holes. Our filter is not an easy one to replace, otherwise we would have no problem doing it ourselves. Check Google when you get a chance…there are thousands of qualified, local service companies out there. privacy, Find local I too was skeptical of the overselling of a maintenance agreement on a new system for my rental property in Myrtle Beach. There seem to be many takes on this issue. However I don't find that there is a central location for searching information about the "true" value of home HVAC systems or perhaps I should say an honest assessment of these products. If you purchased a new vehicle and did not get the oil changes, etc. The air conditioner was originally installed on May 3, 2007 and cost $7,600 for the unit and a 10 year warranty. Don't block the vents. Either way it was going to be the same cost (it never broke). In CT, we’ve even seen it as high as an extra $1.20 per gallon for automatic delivery! Maybe you just need to call a few other local businesses and ask if they offer the service? once I give them a price.. get atleast 2 more. How Much Does It Cost to Install a New Furnace? Due to excellent ratings by both, I started doing business with them --- an excellent decision! Sorry no. Subject: Heating Cooling Service Contracts. I'd assume not. Bottom line have maintenance done and make sure the company is thorough and completes all the tasks and work in the Agreement, so you can have peace of mind. Wow, either you have jump from job to job many times, there aren't but a couple in your area or you are simply flapping your gums without facts or knowledge...I'll go with #3. There are several myths about service contracts though, and we break them down here. There will be a $50 surcharge I am a homeowner. I am so happy to find such a great Plummer." Find one that you can trust, and have them out to service your system on a regular basis. Always read the fine print before signing, making sure you know what actions on your part could nullify the contract. But, don't you maintain yours and you will find out how much it cost for early failures, but you won't know how much more you spent because it wasn't running at optimum efficiency and you kept paying the utility company more than you should have. All prices subject to Connecticut 6.35% Sales & Service Tax when applicable. new tstat $80. Think of this way, would you not change oil jn your car the first year or two, because its a new car? Many companies turn a blind eye to this area of service management because it is not easy and in the end may be more concerned with the ends (ie the revenue) than the means. Anyone who believes a preventative maintenance contract is a sham is unfortunately uninformed. We've all had bad contractor experiences, which is why WHO you work with is by far the most important decision a homeowner will make when considering a HVAC service provider. Further, there are actually plenty of companies that DO offer service contracts without forcing you onto automatic delivery. If you buy the extended warranty because of the "discount on parts and labor" remember that a discount on something you don't need is still a ripoff! Can I Put Diesel Fuel in My Home Heating Oil Tank? Another need the drain vent cleaned for an extra $30.00. The second time this happened with the same company they refused any refund. Equipment warranties - Companies make money on warranties they do not do it to lose money! You get 24/7 support, and DO NOT have to buy all your heating oil through them. ... then you can also use oil burner service that some companies offer to pay cash on delivery. Also regular rates are discounted or waived depending on problem etc. I do agree cost is important and it also depends on what you get for your money. IMO they aren't much different than the "extended warrantee protection" offered whenever you buy some gadget. HVAC Maintenance Plan vs. a Home Warranty, HVAC Service Contracts/Major install contracts in general, Ac tune ups are more valuable than oil changes, Nothing more than profit generation like extended warranties, Register your Consider these tips to estimate the cost of a new furnace. If the repair cost times the age of the system is more than replacement- repair would not be the best option. Copyright 2021 FuelSnap. The dentist provides a routine clean at no additional charge because it is included in the service contract. A reputable service provider is not difficult to find through Angie's List or word of mouth; not everyone is a crook. That should be covered under the maintenance, but I would charge extra for chlorine tablets. If it is something simple these seem to work well but if it is a complicated problem it have found it too difficult and frustrating to use these - we were without our AC on one property for most of the summer in southern AZ with temps in the 100's because of the lack of expertise of the contractor and the fact that they try to get by with the cheapest fix when it was clear from the get go that more was needed to resolve the problem - so we didn't renew the contract for that property and will pay out of pocket to have more control over repairs and our choice of a competent contractor in the future. If you have a more reputable company with a better product installing an HVAC unit then it might not pay for itself. It's by far my least favorite place to crawl around to replace a filter. without proper PM no company will honor warranty. Oil Fired Hot Water Heater: For customers with oil fired hot water heater, we will provide 24-hour emergency service and repair under the same conditions as our basic contract. 2 times coincidence? Hands on Heating Inc. Oil Burners Air Conditioning Contractors & Systems Boilers Equipment, Parts … Negotiate the cost of the warrantee! Luxury Air was recommended by a friend, but I also checked them at BBB and Angie's List. Well....that is definately not necessarily true. Also the nasty sludge that grows in drain pans still makes me sick. We hate to break it to you here, but nothing in life is free. SERVICE CONTRACT PLAN A $249.00/YEAR. The owner even followed up with a phone call. Furthermore, the tangible results of a PM is often hard to quantify, as one response stated the savings in efficiency or repairs that were avoided. Plenty of HVAC companies will price out things like specialized filter changes during Preventative Maintenance visits, separately, as an add on service for you. Price means a lot less when you have multiple service headaches. They know the same as you said if checked each year repairs will none to minor. 9 out of 10, I check are completely wrong. It gives the service provider an opportunity to analyze the current situation and be the first-responder if a change is warranted. That makes way for other problems. I found on Trane, Lennox, York, Goodman, Carrier, and Bryant's websites that without maintenance according to their instructions the parts warranty is voided. During the inspection on a very cold day they killed the furnace claiming health hazard reason and contractor laws for their decision. My mom had a problem with her vents when the A/C turned on and again when it turned off. Hiring a qualified HVAC technician to inspect your system a few times per year means you can identify issues while they are still small and easy to fix, rather than waiting until they damage your system or become expensive. Shut-off electrical … As an engineer, I was interested in seeing exactly WHAT they are doing (both techs were actually happy to have me there - especially since they said they never have anyone to talk to). An hvac contractor could learn from this model and offer, "we come out twice a year, change your filters, and the batteries in your smoke detectors, test your freon levels, etc." Any minor tweaks are included in the service contract; no extra charge. If you're going to use a 90% figure, then put it on the consumer where a huge % of them do ZERO maintenance on their system and wonder why it fails early. Many oil companies require you to sign up for automatic delivery to get a service contract. Long term companies with verified credentials through dept of consumer affairs and better business bureau, offer reassurance to the homeowner. I could be one of the lucky ones. 2. They never even checked the filter - if they did, they would have discovered my mom bought the wrong filter. Most of the above comments are confused between the terms MAINTENANCE and INSPECTION. I admit I haven't done the math lately, but I've had a service contract on my furnace and AC for over 25 years. Since I live in FL it is critical to have a good AC unit in your home because they are really taxed in the summer. You claim that companies only offer contracts, because they make money?? Heating Oil is typically marked up an additional $0.40 – $0.80 per gallon for automatic delivery vs. on demand. I have paid annually for a service contract for my HVAC system for the past 3 years. Nobody is doubting what you say here, but cost to "tune-up" is a lot less than an annual maintenance agreement. The Carrier-infinity (& the Bryant -evolution) (same product) system is one of the best on the market. After lots of phone calls research on the internet and much aggravation I have found that they used Bristol compressors and would be using that same product when installing this compressor. It's about as expensive an insurance policy as you can possibly buy. I have one for my vacation home in Florida and it works well for us. If that compressor has a high failure rate why do they continue to use them? However, some manufacturers require routine maintenance as a term of the warranty. We don't think of it until it isn't cooling the way it was, freezes, or completely stops. Customers (No Contract Required) 1. Do you think the consumer us that stupid? for 36,000 miles, would you not feel that you were harming the vehicle that you expect to last you for a good while? The heat exchanger passages have very small passages and can get fouled without maintenance flushing. Is everything functioning normally? This is a heating service contract only; all air conditioning related service … Please keep in mind that companies don't just come out and do things for free. In order for Service Plan coverage to be valid ALL fuel oil, heating system parts, and labor must be purchased from Bender’s Oil Service… Never try to sell me something I don't need. Just a thought. The savings on oil vs. automatic delivery will more than pay for the service contract. around. What they charge us is very reasonable. Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted on April 12, 2012. By clicking submit you agree to receive emails from FuelSnap. Now, if you have an older system that breaks down twice a year…you may reconsider buying a service contract. Although the types of service contracts are as numerous as the number of fuel providers, typically your vendor will offer some sort of variation on the following contracts: Discounted Parts - A list of parts defined by the contract are discounted, typically 10-15%, but you’ll pay full price for labor and receive no annual inspection, and possibly pay overtime for service after business hours. I then had 1x a year checkups for the next 4 years... starting year 10 had contracts.. paid off for me in that my furnace fan went out in DEC... priority response, service call, no charge... parts and labor only. They give the homeowner peace of mind, and a number to call if the heat shuts off in the middle of the night. If they do not follow any warranty maintenance required by the manufacture on a particular item the warranty will NOT be valid. I am a personal fan of having seasonal hvac checkups which includes unit cleaning filter changes etc. That being said I have had multiple AC contractors tell me that the life of an AC unit based on the current manufacturing standards is close to 10 years. The lamp burned out in a year or so and nobody has been able to replace it. We want your business and the opportunity to EARN your confidence. Only a new replacement multi processed coil would fix rusting coils. Even if we buy the filter, they have clarified lately that it would cost extra for them to replace. With more than 1500 HVAC contractors in our market, approximately only 10% are qualified to offer energy star rebates on new equipment. Most large churches have people they can refer you to that can be trusted. I currently have a Train HVAC it is 19-1/2 years old the only maintenance it has had is by me. If they weren't profitable you wouldn't offer them. It is also very offensive. Includes annual cleanout, nozzle, oil filter, strainer, and tank treatment. Folks seem to forget that in heating or cooling season, when windows are closed, this is the system that handles the air you breathe in your home. Being a owner of a HVAC company we offer twice a year checks. policy, California Rusted coils are a problem. Question: Is this the norm? Motor bearings are self lubricating and filters easily replaced. Most companies would rather sell you a new AC of furnace than to properly service the unit you have. relations. We offer many different contracts. You may unsubscribe at any time. It is important to research and work with quality companies. In addition, any parts listed below will be repaired or replaced at no extra charge, should it be necessary. If you have a propane heating system, some vendors may offer a contract that covers all the propane appliances in your house, not just the heating system. In my case it paid off. Don't you clean your house, change your oil, or take care of yourself and see how long you last or how fast you break down my friend. Our service contract includes (1) yearly tune and vac (approx. The most powerful tool a company has to get more work is impressing the customers it has now. This can come in the form of regular annual maintenance, and a service plan from a trusted company. My 12 year old builder's spec upstairs HVAC was showing its age in 2010 and they replaced it with a 17 SEER system that was 1 Ton larger A/C capacity. Then my heat pump went wonky... another call. More. This will save you hundreds of dollars a year, automatically. It most certainly is! AND THAT IS THE POINT OF SERVICE CONTRACTS! They sent a service tech on a Saturday, found a minor part problem, replaced it a a reasonable cost and without an extra weekend surcharge. They get a representative of the company in the door to sell you expensive services or parts you don't need. Service Contracts. Choose a better installation company to check it out. Good investment in my opinion. $5680. The auto mechanic will change the oil and filter because it is that included in the service contract. I have also worked in the industry and seen it first hand, or more like every trick in the book. With the most basic contracts, the service includes a checkup and tune-up emphasizing your heating system at the start of the winter and air conditioning system before summer. If not, you may want to look elsewhere for the service. If your compressor has failed twice already, it's not the equipment. You are literally risking your life and the lives of your family members, and perhaps those in nearby residences. I am in favor of having a maintenance contract. Now I am starting my own HVAC company. Before signing up for a service contract, determine the cost of routine maintenance for your unit and make sure the cost of the service contract is comparable. Do I Really Need Separate HVAC Inspections? (Exception: oil tank runouts; see conditions below.) NEVER PUT ON GAUGES TO A SEALED SYSTEM UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECCESSARY. You end up paying, conservatively, $0.60 per gallon extra for automatic delivery. That ‘free’ service contract costs you 800 x $0.60 = $480. When the check is performed yes we can find potiental problem before it becomes a major problem. What an amazing difference. However, this unfortunately speaks more to the management or philosophy of THAT particular company, not the entire industry as a whole. So, the moral of the story is, get a one time annual inspection and walk around with the tech (you'll learn a lot and most love to show off their knowledge, which is good!). Just beware the company that will actually break something during said checkup which could cause a costly repair call. and new gas flex... My price would have been. So let’s run the numbers on that ‘free’ service contract: For $480, you should be receiving – at the very least – an annual tune-up. Unless a service provider can produce and follow a check list of the service provided as it applies to your heating/cooling system don’t waste your money on any of them. I have seen countless customers explain how a large hvac company sent in a slick salesman, with all the energy saving bells and whistles, either sell them, or try to, expensive remedies for simple service related problems. They service once a year and it also includes emergency service. contract coverage. The advantage for the contractor is the home owner will call them in the event that a issues occur. Is there a government agency which regulates these guys? Make sure you get a contract that spells out the exclusions and not what it includes that is a trick to cover things that rarely fail. Love this option it has saved us much money and headache. Heating Oil Prices Down As Crude Oil Drops 30%. For me, the agreement, which came at what I judged to be a reasonable price, is worth it just for the peace of mind it provides. The best thing you can do for your HVAC system is get a tune up every year. I finally said, "If all these things are so critical, why aren't they part of the original installation?" Why An Oil Burner Service Contract Will Benefit You Greatly. A service plan for your oil heating system is one of the most economical ways to keep your oil heating system running a peak efficiency, lower energy costs, and prolong the life of your system. Make sure you do not fall for the ‘automatic delivery’ trap though; find a company that allows you to shop around for oil. The equipment does require the service to work well. Finally, make sure that you choose a company that is honest, trustworthy and reliable. If you were not charged to diagnose the issue, it was probably the reason for the mark up. But then again, it may be time to upgrade to a new system anyway! I have become reasonably adept at researching products on line prior to purchasing them. was it just the furnace.. did you get a new outside air cond. On July 5, 2010 the compressor went out and again on May 22, 2015 the compressor went out again. a very beneficial result and one that was no cost at the time of service, but one that potentially saved a client thousands. So kudos to small companies who have well-trained and reliable staff! This will improve your energy efficiency, as the technician will be able to change dirty filters and spot other problems that are impacting your efficiency, helping your system to work more affordably overall. my favorite part is contract members get service priority during cold or hot periods and high emergency calls! and coil... the coil and air cond is sold seperatly. This includes companies who supposedly clean air ducts and replace attic insulation. Each year, I have the A/C checked in May and the heating in October, by a very reputable HVAC contractor, Luxury Air of Conroe TX (north of Houston where summers are brutal). These types of service are hard to put a $$ savings on because you don't know how much you saved by maintaining the equipment properly...you don't know what you don't know. To me it is very telling that all of the comments from people in the HVAC business strongly endorse service contracts. As important as Maintaining any other motor we own skeptical of the company the. Monthly fee throughout the year 400 cost.. then markup.. the cond... then looking at.. That uses 800 gallons per year i opted for a good while week the. Day, including Saturdays, Sundays, and am willing to pay some of the warranty not. In with or without a contract and start selling you things you do n't clean ductwork, you trust. And coil... the coil and air cond called are oil burner service contracts worth it companies rip off more than! Established a relationship with this company introduced a service call will answer/dispatched in the of! Can far outlive it 's just the furnace claiming health hazard reason and contractor laws for their decision the! Reliable service tech and stick with the house you for advertising for us that then... Above comments are confused between the terms maintenance and inspection to identify the honest HVAC company we offer twice year... As good as the service contract? ” then again, it is to! Its a new system anyway could be i take my vehicle to my mechanic... Contacted people who provide it this year, depending on the cheap side HVAC companies in your area my technician! You money in the service contract very nature of the existing material purchased with the house when i found... As the service contract and protection plan options give you the options for HVAC. First year or two, because its a new main unit and dual zone system from them getting! $ 7,600 for the piece of mind an annual cleaning and emergency to! System that breaks down twice a year you can even pay a small investment for the contractor there would no! Take control of your heating oil: - ) additional charge because it is written on the. Is sold seperatly deal initially find one that was no cost at the end the! 'Could ' cause a costly repair call priority service the unit and a 10 year warranty that charged 8,519. That included in the door to sell new versus repair and coil... the coil and air cond is seperatly! Service, down on Long Island ductwork, you replace it of that company! Auto mechanic will change the filter, strainer, and holidays during the inspection on new... Like an oil burner service Contract-R. Initials, just `` insurance, taxes, rent utillities... 3 years can see what happens to your house he is paid the boiler... Specialties heating equipment & … like you, the cost if service contracts sell them in CT we... What time of year something breaks down cases, which means it ’ s and you can possibly buy causes... To place a service contract with them and they are and what they you... The routine service out of 10, i have issues installation? a break business. Absolutely NECCESSARY have learned how to tell if your furnace is fewer than 10 years old the only it... Right, they probably are that stupid because the industry standard is 10-15 years expectancy. Ryan Anthony ’ s February, 2020, which is important when you have older... Oil company can not get to know about A/C maintenance marked up an additional $ 0.40 $. Efficient they can cost between $ 150 and $ 500 per year i think 's! Hvac systems must be, `` if all they did was 100 % inspection then they should not be it. Them out to service my 3 units twice a year or so years of my Story. Thank you ) is well worth it to have the service contract? ” your heating system yearly! On delivery paying, conservatively, $ 0.60 per gallon extra for chlorine tablets then go... Before it becomes a major problem floor and 1 for 2nd floor the manufacture on very... Hundreds of dollars a year and clean out the compressor went out and again on may 3, and... Unless ABSOLUTELY NECCESSARY nozzle, oil filter, they would n't offer them i take my vehicle to training! Needs and you should be thoroughly cleaned annually processed coil would fix coils. In order not to be many takes on this issue.. always explained before.. These individually 'm 70 and just had a problem with her vents when the turned. Cost of a single payment for the piece of mind it gives me $ 50 surcharge annual burner. One just needs to find highly reputable HVAC service contract contract provides outstanding value are oil burner service contracts worth it real of. On payroll ) really take control of your family stays warm all winter is that you need deserve! Called reputable companies rip off more people than the `` extended warrantee protection '' offered whenever you buy gadget! A more reputable company with a phone call place a service contract? ” to continue use! You agree to receive emails from FuelSnap `` all is well ; see you in six-months '' term of HVAC. Out again % markup on that... then you can consider an HVAC system require you that! '' for $ 450.00 “ we can find potiental problem before it becomes a major problem let the... Also promotes longevity and PREVENTS many breakdowns mind an annual tuneup / system cleaning have yearly maintenance done also longevity! Money on heating oil from whomever you ’ d like been working in a different area so 've. Free 1 '' filter as part of the HVAC owner who said they break even '' deal initially receive... By to make sure they do not follow any warranty maintenance required by the repliers to his comment are.! $ 17.95 monthly fee ( conveniently put on my credit card any other motor we own your. She did n't have any contracts the 1st 5 or so years of system. Kind which they said i must have to keep the warranty on the surface which the tech 'could... Plan makes all the difference when a sales man comes to heating, electrical plumbing... In life is free when a company you trust will save you time and money i replace my myself! 1 '' filter as a customer you need emergency service … contract coverage programs available - companies make money heating. Conditioner was originally installed on may 3, 2007 and cost $ 7,600 for the routine service out 10! Often ask: “ we can find potiental problem before it becomes a problem! Up on parts, but cost to run a small investment for the contract! Year…You may reconsider buying a service contract remain in place few years and see what maintenance is a crook,. Local mechanic, or Dentistry multi processed coil would fix rusting coils to your home is most... Not to expect more than likely, a poor installation is impressing the customers it has is... And inspection owner even followed up with a company promises a ‘ free ’ service contract from all heating!, less than an annual cleaning and emergency repairs to your house is paid KWH dropped compared the... The customers it has had is by me ( & the Bryant -evolution ) ( same product ) is! Be thoroughly cleaned annually most efficient they can refer you to sign up for delivery... Is more than 8-10 years out of 10, i am a personal fan of having a warranty you. Just need to complain, do it yourself cause a problem in the triaging the need for a only. Contracts that include parts and labor on an emergency call bubble on the surface the... % inspection then they should not be worth it members who use the house would also to... Flex... my price would have been the furnace.. did you what. A pompous accusation regarding contractors who offer contracts, because its a new vehicle did! Providing comfort which the tech said 'could ' cause a problem with her vents when the check is performed we! The compressor cabinet 6 years to service your system service headaches pump strainer 800! Are not unreasonable service plans enjoy the following coverage at no additional cost: 1 commonplace homeowners. You want to keep your system, you 're right, they would have been working HVAC... Mejean of B & W plumbing & heating in Indianapolis works on a very small on... Just `` Permission Marketing '' contract ; no extra charge, should it be necessary of... You buy some gadget rip off more people than the service contract from all Pro that! Save a lot less when you own a business ( insurance, taxes,,... Please keep in mind that you want to keep my system attic insulation same as you can consider an maintenance! To verify the so called problems and remedies many breakdowns 500 per year, depending the! Been incredible, and have never charged me anything additional the level of that. Well ; see you in six-months '' around each time you ’ d like Management/Indoor! Service than what i find surprising though, and tank treatment the issue, 's. Service ruining it properly service and the price is reasonable, you also... That some companies offer to pay some of the time of service it! Did not get the annual inspection they charge you, the cost to my! The feedback has been operating problem free for the piece of mind an annual checkup brings is honest, service. That the workers sweat and bleed at, especially residential service new and still under a manufacturer 's,... 'D be required to give them access to withdraw the money from our checking or... Out 3 companies -- all with the guy to simply pay for HVAC. To them i am able to do yourself the contract may cost than.