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1. What is the difference between Service Calls, Free Estimates and a Free Second Opinion?
Answer:
Service Calls are generated when your HVAC equipment is not doing its job and your intent is to find out what is wrong with it and have it repaired. A service call is a flat fee that covers the time and fuel for the trip out to your home, as well as the initial diagnostics of the equipment. We are so confident in our ability to efficiently and effectively diagnose your HVAC system that we have included this diagnostics sight unseen as a flat part of our service call fee. Rather than some companies who will charge you a per hour rate until whenever they figure out what the problem or whenever they decide to tell you they have figured it out. Our initial diagnostics can usually be completed in roughly 30 minutes, but weather it takes us 5 minutes or 5 hours the service call fee won’t change. Once we know the full story of what is wrong with your equipment, we can explain it to you and give you a flat upfront cost of all of your repair options before any repairs are done. Occasionally the repair or correction required is so minimal that no extra cost is required beyond the service call. The basic rule is if we do not have to replace any parts or use any tools then there is no extra charge for the repair. This happens more frequently than you may think. To avoid paying us unnecessary service calls check the article and video posted on this site labeled “5 things to check before calling an HVAC technician”.
While we are at your home for a service call and you decide to have us replace your equipment rather than repair it, then we will credit your service call fee towards that new equipment. Wilmington Heating & Air Conditioning offers different rates for our Platinum Service Club Members, Gold Service Club Members, In Area Residential Customers, Out of Area Residential Customers and Commercial Customers. Our service call fee also changes for after hours, weekend services and holidays.
Free Estimates are for equipment replacement sizing and pricing. If you have already decided to replace your HVAC equipment and are interested in your options, then you need to call us to schedule an appointment for a Free Estimate for Equipment Replacement. Think of this as more of a consultation / interview. Whether you have decided to replace your equipment voluntarily or involuntarily then there are many things you want to consider and need to learn just a little bit about so you can make the decision that it right for you. That is what we are here for and what we are good at. We can discuss brands of equipment, efficiency levels vs. cost, types and styles of equipment, different technologies being deployed by different pieces of equipment, warranties, what all goes into installing new equipment, as well as any other questions or concerns you may have. We can break all this down and help make your decision making process simple, smooth and fast.
Free Second Opinions are only for those of you who have already called an HVAC contractor to fix your HVAC system and either you weren’t given any real choices of repair at all or don’t like any of the choices you were given.
For example: Let’s say your AC goes on the fritz unexpectedly so you call an HVAC contractor to repair it. Then you are told your HVAC system is beyond repair and you need to upgrade to a new 410A system. For whatever reason, you either don’t believe them, don’t want to believe them or just wish you had some more choices. In this case you need to call us for a Free Second Opinion. You always have choices and we can show you what they are. Replacing with new 410A systems is a great option but is rarely your only option. We will give you all the facts and options and let you decide what is best at this time for you and your family.
2. When is it time to consider replacing vs. repairing HVAC equipment?
Answer:
Deciding whether to replace your existing heating and air conditioning system or repair it is all about balancing 4 primary factors. You have to consider how much longer you plan to be in your home, the upfront cost of the repair vs. the upfront cost of replacement, and the difference in your energy bills due to the increased efficiency of new equipment. Most importantly the reliability of your existing equipment (after repairs) with the potential cost of additional repairs in the future vs. the piece of mind of having a new central air system and be under warranty.
In general the longer you are planning to stay in your home, the longer term perspective you may want to approach this decision. The longer you will be in your home, the more advantage you will see from replacing earlier rather than later.
The upfront cost of repair is almost always less cash out of pocket for the time being versus equipment replacement. Depending on the type and size of the repair, it is frequently not the least expensive option in the long run. Nevertheless, sometimes depending on timing and your own current financial situation, repairing your heating and air equipment may be the right decision for you. Occasionally when parts are simply no longer available from the manufacturer, the option of repairing your HVAC unit is not available. To put things into perspective it is often helpful to compare the cost of repair vs. replacement as a percentage. For example: If your repair cost is $1000 and the cost of new equipment is $5000 then your repair cost effectively is 20% of the cost of new equipment.
As energy prices continue to rise and are only expected to rise for the forseeable future, energy costs and energy efficiency are and should be on everones mind. Considering HVAC systems generally account for x%-x% of average homes energy bills. In order to determine your potential energy effeciency benefit we have to know a few things first.
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