HVAC Service Contracts

[bicker]

We've had a service contract on our gas furnace, condenser, humifier and zoning system since we moved in seven years ago. (Our home was brand-new.) We've been paying about $300-$350 per year for biannual maintenance and coverage for any repairs (of which we've needed none). Of course the equipment is now getting older.... until its 15 years old, they'll continue to cover it (though after age 13 they'll surcharge).

This year's price is $474. Is that worth it? What are our other alternatives?

My biggest concern is that if you don't have a service contract in this area, you basically cannot get qualified emergency service. However, a $125 price increase concerns me....

 

[sweet angel]

I think I just paid $169 for my heating/AC maintenance.

 

[golfgal]

We pay about $150 to have the furnace tuned up each fall and about $100 for the AC. We just put in a new motor for our furnace this past fall and that was $600.

Check with your gas company and see if they offer a service plan. They don't cover fall check-up type things but if anything breaks, they fix or replace. They generally cover other appliances, washer, dryer, stove, fridge, etc. too.

 

[bicker]

What does that include?

Our contract includes all repairs, including parts, and guarantees priority service. Is that an issue in your area?

Is your contract with a national chain? If so, could you let me know (PM if nec) who they are, so I can try to get a comparison price?

 

[golfgal]

What does that include?

Our contract includes all repairs, including parts, and guarantees priority service. Is that an issue in your area?

Is your contract with a national chain? If so, could you let me know (PM if nec) who they are, so I can try to get a comparison price?

We had the plan with our old gas company several years ago. We don't have it now because we basically forgot about it until we bought our new house and the current owners mentioned it. When we had the plan before our dryer broke, they made the arrangements for someone to come in and fix it, we didn't get charged anything. I don't know about "priority service" but they were there in a day, BUT, we live in a smaller town so that isn't unusual. My guess is that they would have pretty prompt service for their customers for a plan like this.

We will be getting the plan in the new house after our home warranty expires, our Real Estate Agent bought that for us. It is $20/month and covers everything. The former owners of our new house said that their AC compressor went out and they couldn't fix it so they got a new AC unit, no extra charge. They fixed the compressor on the fridge as well, no extra charge. It really is a good deal if your gas company has a plan like this.

 

[sweet angel]

What does that include?

Our contract includes all repairs, including parts, and guarantees priority service. Is that an issue in your area?

Is your contract with a national chain? If so, could you let me know (PM if nec) who they are, so I can try to get a comparison price?

Okay, it's not a national chain -- it's a local heating & cooling company. I have the letter and contract right here.

It's a "Safety & Efficiency Agreement" -- $169.60

"With this agreement, you are now considered a Preferred Customer which entitles you to absolute priority service, extended warranties, cash discounts and most importantly Peace of Mind."

"This agreement entitles you to benefit from up to (2) exclusive 20-point precision tune-ups and professional cleanings (PTPC) per year."

"All service department parts, materials, and labor shall be discounted at a rate of 15% off our normal price. Emergency service shall be provided after normal working hours at discounted rates."

Hmmmm, I thought parts and labor were INCLUDED, not DISCOUNTED. I think perhaps next year I'll see what they charge for just a tune-up and take my chances on the service end.

Guess I should read stuff before I pay it, huh?

 

[bicker]

I think I'm going to need to find a local BBS to post this question to, because it sounds more and more like it has a lot to do with the market where you live. Our contract doesn't include the washer and dryer, so when the dryer broke we tried to find a dryer repair service for service. The first five or six weren't going to have anyone available for weeks, and then we found one that charged us $175 for a repair visit (no parts, something just needed some tightening).

 

[sweet angel]

I get a flier in the mail every so often for a home insurance plan for X amount per month and it covers all appliances and major systems. If something covered breaks, you pay a small deductible and they fix or replace.

Not sure why I haven't taken advantage of the service yet.

 

[Dan Murphy]

An annual 'clean, check and tune' for furnance or AC with the company (local HACV company) that I have used for years is $85 each. An annual contract is $110 each. The contract covers all calls, parts, etc, except heat exchanger on furnace and compressor on AC. I find the $25 additional cost worth the peace of mind. Check your contract that it covers, or does not, those two, one for each the furnance and AC, high cost items.

Local utility companies and insurnace plans all have a top limit in $'s, and not that high. I feel better covered with those two aforementioned exclusions.