At some point in the life of your ductless AC system, you will likely need to have some repairs done. If you take good care of your ductless HVAC system, these repairs shouldn’t be needed until later in the life of your system. However, some newer systems may need the odd repair or two.
Initially, these repairs may seem very expensive and leave you feeling the sticker shock. Below, we break down what drives the cost of ductless AC repairs and how New England Ductless can provide you with reliable ductless HVAC services when you need them most.
Systems Using R-22 Refrigerant May Need To Be Replaced
Due to its significant negative impact on the environment, R-22 refrigerant has been prohibited by the EPA and is no longer available for sale in the United States. It cannot be produced or imported, but some older HVAC units still use it. Usually, these systems will need to be replaced when they run out of refrigerant or have a refrigerant leak because HVAC contractors can no longer get R-22.
Newer systems use Freon gas, which is friendlier to the environment and more widely available. If your system is not Freon gas compatible and needs new refrigerant, it will have to be replaced.
Your Parts Are Not Covered Under Warranty
If your HVAC system needs a repair, check to see if any of the parts you will need are covered under a manufacturer’s warranty. If they are, you likely will not have to pay the cost of replacing these parts. The contractor you work with may only charge you for the cost of labor to complete the repair. If your parts are not under any kind of warranty, you will likely be billed for both the market cost of the parts and the cost of your HVAC contractor’s labor.
This is why it’s imperative to ensure that the ductless HVAC system or any parts that you buy are under a manufacturer’s warranty. Be sure to fill out your warranty cards and send them in anytime you make a purchase, or you may forfeit any warranty that you paid extra for or that was included in your parts or service agreement.
Keep your warranty information in a safe but accessible place and set reminders on your calendar for any routine maintenance that your HVAC system requires to keep your warranty active. You should also set a reminder for just before your warranty is about to expire and have an HVAC specialist look over your system for any defects or repairs that may need to be made before the warranty expires.
Professional Licensure Is Costly
When you hire an age of a contractor to install or repair a ductless system, you are allowing a representative from a company into your home and personal space. It’s important that you are able to trust and rely on this individual’s professionalism and thorough service. In order to do this, HVAC contractors must be specially trained on how to perform heating and cooling services without damaging a homeowner’s property.
The cost of professional HVAC licensure and training can be high, especially when contractors are given the opportunity to obtain robust education, certification, or specialized training. Although this provides the customer with a better overall installation or service experience, the cost of employing well-trained and experienced contractors is usually greater than the cost of hiring a jack of all trades or a sketchy HVAC company.
Fuel Expenses Are Rising Along With Inflation
Since the pandemic began, the prices of fuel and commodities have been rising steadily. Not only are HVAC contractors having to pay more for wholesale parts, they are also feeling the pinch at the gas pump when fueling up company service vehicles. Some of these additional expenses are bound to get passed on to the customer, and the same occurs in nearly every vertical or market. Homeowners may see the rise in inflation and fuel costs reflected in their ductless heating and cooling service invoice.
Your Compressor Needs to Be Replaced
One of the priciest components of your ductless HVAC system is the outdoor compressor. If this needs to be serviced, repaired, or replaced, you can expect that your service expenses are going to be much higher than if you were simply repairing one of the indoor cassettes or refrigerant lines.
Call New England Ductless Today for a Price Quote on Your Ductless AC Repairs
If you have a ductless AC in need of repair, don’t hesitate to contact New England Ductless. Call us today by dialing (617) 915-2803.