The winter is creeping up on us at the Jersey Shore. If you are like most people, you don’t think a lot about your heating equipment until there’s a problem. Once problems creep up, then you need to find a company to repair your equipment, and the money to pay them. Having a service contract with a reputable HVAC contractor can help alleviate these problems. 

When you think about a service contract for your heater, you should consider it like a yearly subscription. By being a member of this subscription, you can reduce... Costs of repairs, amount of repairs needed, and decrease the waiting time for someone to come out and look at your equipment. 

Service contracts for heaters usually vary in price, depending on the area you live in, what equipment you have, and the level of service contract you purchase. Different packages cover different services, depending on what you need. Most contractors will work to find the correct level of service contract you need. 

So are they worth the money? If you choose the right one for you, then the answer is ABSOLUTELY. Those monthly investments can not only lead savings on our heating equipment, but also ensure that your South Jersey home stays comfortable throughout the year, which is the most important thing. 

Here are some ways a service contract for heaters saves you money:

Having A Service Contract Can Help You Save Money On Your Heating Bill

When you have your heater serviced, you know your heater will work efficiently when it’s time to turn it on. That’s because an important part of any service contract is regular maintenance for your heater. If your heater hasn't been looked at in years, chances are it's not working as well as it could be. When you have a service done, the professional will be able to take a first hand look at your equipment, clean it up, and decide if it needs any replacement parts etc. 

This inspections will also result in the system lasting longer! Imagine if you had a car, but you NEVER had the oil changed once. Would that car last as long as it could have? No way! Having your heater serviced will increase the longevity of your system. 

This all means lower energy bills, for starters. When there are no blockages or broken components, heat can travel freely through the system. If the heat is getting backed up somewhere, it will naturally take more energy — resulting in a higher bill — to keep your home warm.

An inspection usually costs between $50 and $100. That price is included in your service contract. That makes it quick and easy to schedule. Not only have you already paid for this service in your service contract, but you also already know who is going to be servicing your heater! 

Regular Service Prevents Expensive Breakdowns For Your Heating System

Keeping your heater maintained means more than just changing the air filter every few months.There are a lot of working parts when it comes to your heater, big and small. If one of these components isn't in the proper condition, the whole system will suffer.

With a service contract, you can be sure they’re all working properly. That means vacuuming the dust out the system, checking the belts for wear and tear, lubricating the blower motor and more. When you check these regularly, you can repair small problems before they become big, costly ones.

If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, you may be able to do some of these on your own. However, if you’re not that handy, or don’t have the time, it’s important to get it done regularly. And, even if you’re willing to go in and check yourself, you’ll probably still need to bring in a professional for repairs.

That’s where the service contract comes in. Just about all contracts include regular heater maintenance. You can also get levels of service that cover the costs of basic repairs and certain parts. It’s also quick and easy to get it done when you’ve already set aside the money and have a contractor ready to go.

A Service Contract Can Save You Money On Heater Repairs

Priority and after-hours service are important parts of service contracts for heaters. If you live in a region with especially cold winters, you need to have your heat on once the temperatures drop. A service contract can go a long way toward saving you money in these situations.

Even with regular maintenance, there are eventually factors that will cause a heater to break down. It could be something as small, like the ignition not working, preventing the pilot from lighting. 

Or, it could be something bigger, like a motor burning out, or a fan snapping. While regular heater service will help those parts last longer, inevitably everything breaks. What matters is being prepared.

Parts are more likely to break while they're being used the most. What that means is you are most likely to break down in the coldest parts of the winter, when your system is running the hardest. It's often very difficult to have your equipment taken care of at these times because everyone else is experiencing the same problems. Preventative maintenance and an inspection will help you get ahead of this and fix these problems before they happen.