Service Experts announced today a comprehensive and enhanced set of service plans that are designed to meet the needs of every homeowner. Many contractors will offer a single, simple maintenance plan with only limited benefits to the homeowner. With these new HVAC service plans, Service Experts locations are now offering a range of services and features in addition to new product and service discounts.
Performance Inspections: Quick and easy system assessment
The first of the service plans is a new, low-cost
Performance Inspection. The Performance Inspections is a visual inspection designed to provide a system performance assessment and air quality consultation for customers who want to
know the current operating condition, safety and efficiency of their home heating and cooling equipment. The inspection also includes our
Home Health™ Report Card, which is a comprehensive indoor air analysis report.
The Performance Inspection is ideal for anyone needing to understand the condition and efficiency of their existing heating and air conditioning system, or would like a second opinion on work that’s already been done. Allergy sufferers and others suffering from respiratory problems could also benefit greatly from the professional air quality assessment. A key new feature of the Performance Inspection is that customers can opt to receive my monthly email comfort tips.
Precision Tune-ups: Professionally certified HVAC maintenance
The
Precision Tune-up, the next level service plan, includes everything offered by a Performance Inspection, but also provides an additional system cleaning and lubrication. Tune-ups help to maintain system performance and could provide up to 30%* in energy savings. The
U.S. Department of Energy strongly recommends homeowners have tune-ups on each of their heating and cooling equipment to ensure proper efficiency and operation.
PLUS™ Maintenance Agreements: Ongoing prescheduled service
There are many new and improved benefits to the Service Experts
PLUS™ Maintenance Agreement. This is an ongoing maintenance service plan that makes tune-up service much easier by providing prescheduled appointments and 24/7/365 front-of-the-line service, among many other program benefits. Scheduling maintenance in advance helps ensure the system receives
the routine periodic care needed to operate continuously and efficiently during peak usage seasons, and can provide many additional years of home comfort. A
15% discount on all heating and air conditioning parts and services still applies, but there are now some great new benefits of the PLUS Maintenance Agreement, including:
- A lifetime thermostat warranty for the life of the agreement
- A SamBucks Rewards program, providing annual ‘member-only’ discount certificates for new products, plus a $50 referral SamBuck to pass on savings to a friend or relative
- New payment options let customers pay when and how it’s most convenient for them
- Additional ‘member-only’ email offers from Service Experts and Service Experts partner companies, providing additional discounts or free services from a range of service companies
- A free biocide pan treatment to reduce the likelihood of algae and other fungus in the cooling equipment’s drain pan
Platinum PLUS™ Protection Plan: Worry-free heating and cooling
Last, but certainly not least, there’s the new
Platinum PLUS™ Protection Plan (coming to more locations in October). This plan provides customers
ALL of the features and benefits of all the other service plans, as well as:
- FREE parts
- FREE repair services
- An instant comfort system replacement allowance
This plan is perfect for customers who would like to avoid replacing their system for as long as possible, and want the security, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of free repair service. New or existing homeowners who have a home warranty that does not cover their heating and air conditioning equipment may also greatly benefit from owning a Platinum PLUS Protection Plan.
For more information on any of these Service Experts service plans, click here, call 888.HEATCOOL or contact us by email.
Press Release
*Actual savings may vary due to
age and condition of equipment
Posted on: 8/28/2008 3:33:57 PM by Sam
Before attempting to salvage or operate water-damaged HVAC equipment, make safety your first priority. Flood water and heavy electrical equipment like air conditioners are a serious safety hazard. So err on the side of personal safety when performing flood clean-up.
First, consider the following to determine if your heating and cooling equipment is salvageable or needs to be replaced.
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The amount of time the equipment was underwater;
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Whether the electricity was on when the water flooded the unit; or
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If the equipment is filled with dirt and debris.
Heavy rains and flooding can seriously affect heating and air conditioning equipment. When in doubt, always
seek professional advice from Service Experts or a locally trusted heating and cooling company. This is particularly important in a flood environment to ensure you do not become a victim of unethical, price-gouging contractors. You’ll often see many unscrupulous companies pop up after a storm to seduce homeowners into buying from them. Beware of anyone who does not offer you a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and can't prove they have years of reliable service history behind them. Always ask for references, and if you don’t hear back from them, that’s an indication that they probably don’t have any.
If you determine the equipment does not need to be replaced, here are some tips to help ensure safe operation. For your own safety, first seek professional help for help with any of these items.
- Turn off all electrical switches and gas valves. Make sure to turn off all switches (i.e. disconnects and breakers) to the heating and cooling equipment. If your furnace or water heater was submerged, shut off gas valves to prevent exposure to leaking gas.
- Dry out the equipment. If the equipment was under water, open it up and allow air circulation to speed the drying process.
- Have equipment and wiring inspected. Do not turn on flooded equipment until you have it inspected and serviced by a qualified, NATE-certified technician. If there is debris present, call us or a qualified contractor to receive a system tune-up. A proper tune-up will include a complete inspection, cleaning and lubrication of the system.
- Don’t rush to reconnect. If the power company gives you approval to turn on the electricity in your home but you think you may have a problem with your heating and cooling equipment, call us to disconnect the equipment from the electrical source. The equipment may appear to be dry, but let the experts verify that is in fact functioning properly.
- Change all air and furnace filters to prevent fungus, insect or contaminant build up. If your heating equipment has been exposed to flood waters, it is very important you have your heating equipment checked for proper mechanical and safety operation, tuned-up and cleaned thoroughly.
Taking a proactive approach will help ensure your comfort and safety during extreme weather.
Service Experts can provide these and other simple safety tips, inspections and consultation to advise you on the proper course of action after flooding.
Posted on: 8/25/2008 8:25:05 AM by Sam
I often hear comments from customers who want to do more to offset the rising cost of home energy prices. The higher efficiency heating and air conditioning systems on the market today can help save the average homeowner up to 50%* on their heating and air conditioning energy costs, but as inflation rises, many homeowners are looking for even more household utility savings.
Recent trends also suggest
homeowners expect more affordable and eco-friendly options when it comes to heating and air conditioning, as well as other important energy conservation measures such as windows and insulation. Last time, we discussed the
new government policies in environmentally-friendly R410A refrigerants as one way homeowners can consider doing more for the environment. Today, there’s even more good news...
Hybrid Home Comfort Systems Have Arrived
By combining the high-efficiency air conditioning of a heat pump with the flexibility of new dual-fuel technology thermostats, Service Experts can further optimize your household energy usage.
Hybrid Home Comfort Systems provide unparalleled energy efficiency, saving homeowners up to $1,200*
in annual heating and cooling costs!
The heart of new Hybrid Home Comfort Systems is a computerized ‘brain’ that automatically selects the most energy-efficient method to heat and cool the home.
Just like a hybrid automobile, it switches between electric and gas (propane or oil) automatically. During warmer winter temperatures, the high-efficiency electric heat pump heats your home. When it gets colder, the natural gas, propane or oil furnace takes over. The flexibility of these systems makes them ideal for homeowners frustrated with the ever increasing cost of energy, particularly in homes with oil heating. Hybrid systems help to ensure optimum energy-efficiency and comfort regardless of the outside temperature.
This is exciting news for homeowners who are ready to replace their heating, air conditioning and air quality system now. If you’re interested in learning more about how hybrid home comfort systems work and if they’re the right choice for your home, a Comfort Adviser can offer you a free in-home consultation, simply
schedule a free appointment online.
Press Release
*Potential utility savings may vary depending on age and condition of equipment, personal lifestyle, system settings,
equipment maintenance and installation of equipment and duct system, and may not be available in your area.
Posted on: 8/19/2008 4:03:41 PM by Sam
Refrigerants are what make air conditioning possible. Acting in accordance with an international treaty called the Montreal Protocol; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated the eventual phase out of R22 refrigerant through the Clean Air Act. By 2010, the manufacturing of heating and cooling equipment using R22 refrigerant will be prohibited, and by 2020 the production of R22 must cease. The reason for this regulatory action is that R22 is hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) compound, which contains ozone-depleting chlorine.
What’s this mean to you? Today the most common refrigerant is R22. But as newly manufactured HVAC equipment is produced using alternative, EPA-recognized chlorine free R410A refrigerant, the need for R22 will diminish. After 2010, the cost of servicing the older R22 refrigerant based systems is expected to increase as supplies of R22 become scarcer.
However, homeowners have flexibility to switch to air conditioner and heat pump systems that use the more environmentally friendly R410A refrigerant now. Most recognized air conditioning and heat pump brands have a wide range of models that currently utilize R410A refrigerant.
Over the next 10-20 years, innovations will continue to take place as manufacturers develop higher efficient and more environmentally friendly home comfort systems.
Posted on: 8/11/2008 6:58:58 AM by Sam