It’s undeniable that unpleasant events can serve as a learning experience. And if you ever had your HVAC system break down in the dog days of summer, you were probably kicking yourself for neglecting to sign up for an HVAC maintenance program. Now that you have survived that uncomfortable situation and have purchased an HVAC maintenance plan, do you really know what services are covered under your HVAC preventative maintenance program?
In this article, we will:
- Take a look at the benefits you should be getting from your HVAC maintenance program.
- Review the maintenance tasks that need to be completed to ensure you get those benefits.
- Preview some new technology being used by industry leaders that gives you the proof that you’re getting what you paid for.
HVAC maintenance program benefits
Improved efficiency = lower costs
As a business owner or property manager in NYC, you are always concerned about reigning in expenses. Ensuring your HVAC system is running efficiently as possible helps control costs. Efficient operation is no minor point considering your HVAC system accounts for roughly half of your energy usage.
Another thing to consider is if you do not have a routine HVAC maintenance program, your system stands to lose up to 5-percent efficiency for each year it goes unmaintained.
Clogged filters, grimy coils, and dirty vents are just a few of the things that cause systems to work harder and longer to meet set thermostat temperatures. A system forced to work nonstop chews up more electricity and more money.
Avoid major costly repairs
You will find that a regular HVAC maintenance program will result in fewer repairs and dollars flowing from your wallet. Your technician will inspect the HVAC system and detect any small issues before they become large problems with a big price tag. Minor equipment issues left unchecked can have a snowball effect on things that can go wrong with your system. Neglecting something as simple as cleaning coils can lead to a compressor failure, which is an expensive problem to remedy.
An HVAC maintenance program = expanded system longevity
You will expand the life of your system by having a routine HVAC maintenance program. Keeping your system in optimal shape means less wear and tear on your equipment. A car that has its oil changed at regular intervals tends to last longer than one that doesn’t. Your air conditioner is no different. An HVAC preventative maintenance program will add life to your system.
A comfortable workplace improves employee productivity
If you are a pet owner, you have probably noticed Fido languishing on a tile floor somewhere in your home when it’s hot and humid inside. Well, maybe your employees will not take the uncomfortable climate to that extreme, but it will affect their productivity.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, employers can increase workforce performance by roughly 10 percent by implementing indoor air quality solutions. A Helsinki University of Technology (Finland) and Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (California) study revealed that once the temperature hits 77 Fahrenheit, employee performance declines by 2-percent for each degree the temperature rises.
A welcoming customer environment grows profits
Besides the economic advantage of fostering productive employees, an HVAC maintenance program facilitates an inviting place for customers to do business. Customers are likely to spend more time in a business that is not too hot and sticky. A comfortable environment will attract repeat customers. Employee productivity and winning customer’s loyalty has a direct impact on your bottom line.
Related articles:
HVAC Coil Cleaning: Better Comfort = More Customers In Your Store
Gym Ventilation: Poor Indoor Air Quality Drives Away Customers
Your HVAC maintenance checklist
Here is a list of tasks commonly included in an HVAC maintenance plan. Completing these tasks regularly is essential for providing the benefits described above. Depending on your equipment and type of service contract, your HVAC maintenance program could provide for different levels of service.
- Clean or change filters
- Clean coils
- Clean drain lines and pans
- Replace worn pulleys and belts
- Inspect ducts
- Check refrigerant charge and for leaks
- Test thermostats and controls
- Check electrical system
- Check fan motor
- Check blowers and blades for proper airflow
- Lubricate pumps and moving parts
- Inspect cabinet for leaks and check cabinet hardware
- Assess overall condition of equipment
For a more in-depth look at services typically covered under HVAC maintenance program, check out these articles:
Fall HVAC Maintenance Checklist to Tackle Now
How Much Does HVAC Maintenance Cost?
New technology can show what’s in your HVAC maintenance program
Tired of being at the mercy of your service providers? As consumers, we have to take that leap of faith every time we get our cars fixed, invite the plumber in or anyone else that has an expertise in something that is foreign to us.
The good news is you no longer have to rely on your HVAC company to tell you what services they performed. Technicians at Arista Air can now show you what tasks they rendered, and the beauty of it is you don’t have to follow the technician around to see what he or she is doing. You don’t even have to be on the premises when the technician completes the work, yet you will still be able to view the completed job-site maintenance.
Through its partnership with XOi Technologies, the age of evidence-based service has arrived at Arista Air. Outfitted with wearable recording technology that resembles safety glasses, the technician video documents the main tasks performed on your HVAC system. After the job reaches completion, Arista provides you with a video of the service call. This state-of-the- art technology provides you with the peace of mind of knowing that the work listed on the bill matches the job done.
Watching the maintenance performed removes the guesswork from the equation. It’s much easier to understand the repair or maintenance work by visualizing it while the technician explains the tasks at hand rather than receiving a verbal or written explanation brimming with technical terms afterward.
This video proof of services is an invaluable tool for those who own or manage multiple business locations or residential properties and can’t be everywhere at once. It will also allow you to keep an orderly account of the work done at each address. Another plus in having video documentation of your HVAC maintenance program is it will help you to better budget for future repairs or your system’s eventual replacement.
Though Arista prides itself in having highly skilled and trustworthy employees, its investment in this cutting-edge technology underscores its commitment to transparency and providing quality service at a fair price. To learn more about how this new technology will benefit you and enhance your HVAC maintenance program, check out our free guide: The Evidence-Based Approach to Choosing an HVAC Company.
