You’ve scheduled a maintenance visit for your air conditioning or heating system—congrats! You’re on the way to helping your HVAC equipment run as efficiently and last as long as possible. Now that you’ve checked off that major accomplishment from your to-do list, you may be wondering what all you have to do to prepare for when the HVAC technicians arrive. The good news is that a maintenance visit (especially here at Appel) is typically quick and easy-going, especially if you follow these steps:
1. Choose a Reliable HVAC Company
First things first, make sure you’re hiring an HVAC company that is reputable and provides high quality service. Spend a few minutes checking out the company online and see if you can find information on: how long they’ve been in business, whether they’re local/family-owned or owned by a private equity firm, whether their technicians are licensed, and what their ratings are on Google, Nextdoor, or Angi. Whoever you hire should be someone you trust to give you expert service and fair pricing, not just consider you as another slot on their schedule.
2. Schedule Your Visit for When You’re Home (and Be Responsive)
This might seem a bit obvious, but plan to be home when the HVAC tech arrives and for the entire duration of their visit (make sure you don’t double-book yourself with any meetings or other service appointments!). Many homes have their air conditioners, furnaces, and thermostats tucked away in places that might not be obvious or easy to get to, so HVAC technicians will rely on you to show them where all the equipment is—for your privacy, they don’t want to look around your home while you’re not there! You being home for the entire visit also means that, if questions come up, the tech can ask you right then and there, which helps any troubleshooting go a lot smoother.
Your HVAC company will also do their best to keep you updated when their technician is on their way to your home, so keep your phone on and close by to confirm, as needed. Many techs will reach out when they’re en route, and they may call or text from a number that’s different than the company’s main office line, so you might want to temporarily disable the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature on your phone. Once you hear from your HVAC technician that they’re on their way, stay home, in case they show up a little early.
3. Make Sure There’s Easy Access to Your HVAC System
As we mentioned earlier, many HVAC systems can be difficult to get to in your home. Before your HVAC tech arrives, clear a 3-foot radius around your indoor and outdoor units. If there are any components that require access to a rooftop or to another secured area outside (as can be the case with some condo or duplex buildings), make sure you can easily get to all these spaces by asking your building manager or landlord for access ahead of time.
4. Secure Your Pets in Another Room/Space
If you have any pets, for their safety, please put them in a safe and secure area before your HVAC technician arrives. Even though a maintenance visit doesn’t typically require much heavy equipment or sharp tools, they may be necessary if unexpected fixes are needed. Plus, as some HVAC equipment is located outside of your building, techs might need to open some of the doors in your home, which can pose the risk of pets accidentally escaping. Make sure your pet stays safe and indoors by keeping them in a separate area for the duration of your HVAC maintenance visit.
5. Ask Questions & Share Information
Your technician may be the expert on the inner workings of your HVAC system, but you’re the expert on what its normal behavior is. During your HVAC maintenance visit, if there are any noises, smells, or sights that you’ve noticed that seem out of the ordinary, be sure to tell your technician about them. If you have any general questions on how your air conditioner or furnace works, write them down beforehand and ask your tech once they’re done checking out your equipment. At Appel, we want to leave you feeling confident about your system, so we love answering questions like when to change your filter, whether or not a smart thermostat would help you reduce your energy bills, and how long you can expect your air conditioner/furnace to last.
In addition, if you have any notes from previous HVAC maintenance visits available, that information is greatly helpful for your technician. Knowing things like what repairs you’ve had done in the past and how old your system is are especially helpful as your tech evaluates your equipment.
6. Offer Water, Especially on a Hot Day
HVAC technicians tend to work during the months of the year when the temperatures are at their most extreme. Especially when working on air conditioning units during the summer, they may be up on your roof in the blazing heat or in your attic, where the temperatures can reach up to 150ºF. One easy gesture that goes a long way is offering your technician a glass or bottle of cold water after they’ve been working in the heat.
An HVAC maintenance visit shouldn’t be anything to stress over, especially if you follow the steps above! Here at Appel, we work to ensure you come away from your maintenance visit feeling more confident and knowledgeable about your HVAC system. We also offer Platinum Maintenance Plans that give you all the great service of our maintenance plans with the added benefits of priority service, personal scheduling, and discounts on repairs and diagnostic charges. Give us a call to learn more, or with any questions you have before or after your maintenance visit—we’re always happy to chat!