An HVAC inspection involves a thorough test and review of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. HVAC contractors or technicians in the USA perform the inspection to find out how your heating and cooling equipment is performing.
After the inspection, they provide you with a report of their findings and any recommendations for repairs. So, is an annual inspection necessary? What are the benefits and what does it entail? This article provides answers to these questions and provides you with information about how to get your inspection performed.
Are Annual HVAC Inspections Necessary?
All furnace and HVAC system manufacturers in the USA recommend annual inspections and maintenance by qualified technicians. They also caution in their warranties that damage to the HVAC units due to improper maintenance is not covered.
Does that imply that an annual furnace check-up by a technician is needed or the warranty is voided? Probably not, but we recommend the HVAC inspection to ensure that your furnace works well. This is best likened to the case of how going to a dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and check-up is not necessary, but highly recommended to prevent future drama.
Benefits of HVAC Inspections
American homeowners should have their HVAC inspection performed annually to assess if the equipment is functioning properly and efficiently. The main benefit of the inspection is that it provides a heads up to the property owner that repairs may be needed to prevent further damage to the system.
The following list highlights other benefits of an inspection:
What Happens during HVAC Inspections?
An inspection entails a trained technician thoroughly testing and reviewing your home’s HVAC systems, and that includes all heating and cooling equipment, and the indoor are quality systems. Note you must hire an HVAC technician to do the specific inspection, since it is not included in regular home inspections.
Most home inspections entail basic checks that air conditioners, heat pumps furnaces, and other HVAC systems still operate. Therefore, your home inspection will not be very detailed to give you an accurate picture of your heating and cooling systems’ performance or if any major problems loom on the horizon.
HVAC system contractors may have processes that slightly differ, and it is smart to ask your preferred technician what is included in the cost of the inspection. However, inspections usually include the following checks:
When the inspection process is complete, the technician provides you with a detailed report showing the status of your HVAC system along with all the elements examined and the findings.
In addition, the HVAC professional may include recommendations to improve the performance of the system and efficiency-improving repairs that will allow your HVAC system to function optimally.
Can Home Owners Do the Inspection?
U.S. homeowners who are knowledgeable enough of all the tasks that need to be done above or who are heating contractors can do their own HVAC inspections. But, in most cases, a licensed specialist is needed to be sure the entire checklist is performed correctly.
How to Get Your HVAC Inspection Performed
HVAC system projects are expensive, and getting a quote from a professional contractor is the only way to know the accurate cost of the inspection. There are many websites and blogs that promote HVAC quotes online. They may publish prices for cooling or heating equipment and the costs associated with common system repairs.
While the online costs for HVAC inspections can provide a rough picture of the actual price, there is no way to tell if that the price applies to your exact situation.
You should not look for online quotations if you:
Do Not Know What’s Wrong with Your HVAC System
The heating and cooling systems are intricate and it is difficult for an average U.S. homeowner to determine the problem let alone repair the issue they face.
Therefore, if you are looking for HVAC system quotes online, then you may have settled on one thing, but the contractor shows up and says you need to fix something entirely different,. That means the costs of repairs may vary greatly when compared to the quotes from the web.
Do Not Know What You’re Looking For
Average homeowners do not know the ins and outs of the HVAC system and would not know what the problem is or what needs inspecting. This is okay since there are professional contractors and technicians you can hire to have the job done.
To provide a quote for an HVAC system inspection or repair, the technician or contractor needs to first assess your business premises or home, the comfort issues you’re facing, and what type repairs are needed, if any, to the equipment.
Online HVAC System Quotations Are Not Specific
You should keep in mind that online quotes are, in most instances, inaccurate as after assessment the technician will know exactly what is needed and what it will cost. A $5,000 HVAC quote may sound like a good price, but you don’t know what it includes and, more importantly, it does not reflect what is needed to enable an efficient installation, inspection or repair.
Most of the quotes are often for equipment only and its basic installation, but does not include additional needs. Therefore, the price is inaccurate. For instance, if your home requires a higher capacity unit or new ducts to facilitate the new air conditioner or replace a malfunctioned one which may accompany a higher price tag than what you had expected. Therefore, there is a huge discrepancy between online quotes and actual quotes.
It's also important to note that HVAC technicians are different across the country. Just like cost of living varies from the northeast to the south in the United States, the HVAC service markets technicians work in also vary regarding what is supported in those regions. That means, then, that their prices can vary quite a bit as well.
Be Honest with Your HVAC Contractor/Technician
One reason U.S. homeowners get inaccurate online quotes is because they do not want to waste the contractor’s time as the inspection may appear affordable. It is still wise to get a quote to let them know whether the price is out of your budget.
Contractors are there to help you and will find a way to provide the services you need. Having an honest conversation about the cost may be essential to knowing what options are available based on cost. And, the contractor may use your information to get back to you once a deal that favors your cost or preferences is available.
Cost
The inspection average is around $321 but can reach $475 in higher regions. However, if your house is small and is less than 1,000 square feet, then the cost could reach as low as $200. Ask before the inspection for a quote on how much it alone will cost you.
Final Thoughts: HVAC Inspection
An HVAC inspection on an annual basis allows your cooling and heating equipment to function optimally and with great efficiency. The inspection provides a heads up alerting homeowners if repairs are required before continued use of the system does additional damage.
The inspection has many benefits, including improving energy consumption efficiency, lengthening the lifespan of equipment, improving indoor air quality which contributes to a healthier home and you save money by being proactive to prevent further damage to the system.
However, it is important to ensure that you have a technician assess your home for a precise quote since online quotes are inaccurate. We hope that this article provides you with answers about an annual inspection of your HVAC system.
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