If your heating, ventilation or air conditioning unit is malfunctioning or has completely stopped, you need an HVAC specialist to look at it as soon as possible and you need a professional to install and to maintain your unit as well, but before you make that service call, you probably want to have at least a vague idea about how much should an HVAC visit cost. The price you will have to pay depends on many factors – here are some.
The Time of the Call
Most HVAC service technicians charge a specific flat rate for scheduled visits and a different rate for emergencies. If your HVAC unit breaks down in the middle of winter or on the hottest summer day and you can’t wait for the visit, you will need a technician that provides emergency services. In this case, be prepared to pay extra for the intervention as visits in the evenings, at weekends or on holidays are more expensive than scheduled interventions.
The Type of Intervention
If you are currently in the process of getting a new HVAC unit, you definitely need a professional to install it for you. The price charged by HVAC technicians for the installation can range between 100-200 dollars per labor hour and you will have to factor in the price of the new unit when you calculate total costs – as a general rule, the bigger and the more complex the unit, the more expensive it is and the installation costs may also be higher. For air conditioner repair Denver technicians offer the cost will be lower than the installation of a new unit. However expensive installation may seem at first sight, working with experts is beneficial because you can turn to them for consultation regarding the capacity that you need and the type or brand of the unit that will work best in your case.
The cheapest way to make sure your existing HVAC unit works reliably is by having it professionally maintained and regular maintenance is also the cheapest service provided by HVAC technicians. The operations will include the detailed inspection of the unit, cleaning performed on the interior and the exterior part of the unit, the replacement of the filters and the inspection and sealing of the ducts as well.
Breakdowns are usually more expensive to fix and the nature of the malfunction will also influence the price. Simple operations, such as cleaning or replacing a circuit breaker or a fuse are obviously cheaper than more complex repairs, such as the replacement of a faulty thermostat. A more complicated intervention also means more work hours, so beside the cost of the replacement parts, you will have to factor in the price of more work hours as well.
Experience
The level of expertise offered by the HVAC technician will also influence the price of the service call. Technicians that have been in the business for 20 years and know all types of HVAC units inside out usually charge more than less experienced technicians.
If you want to avoid unpleasant surprises when calling a HVAC specialist, try to factor in all the above aspects when trying to figure out how much should an HVAC visit cost – in most cases, the professional interventions performed on HVAC units are not cheap, but they are inevitable and also essential for the safety and the comfort of your home.