For Your Clients – Our Most Valuable Tip July 26, 2011  |   Posted by : Admin  |   Agent Highlights,Agent's Corner,Marketing Tips   |   We are often asked “What is the most valuable tip you have with regards to appliances and mechanical systems of a home?” Without a doubt, we say “In addition to getting a whole house inspection, get a Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling (HVAC) inspection done by a qualified heating and cooling contractor.” 50% of the claims we pay are on HVAC systems yet these are two of the most under inspected items on the whole house inspection. Often the home inspector will only turn on the HVAC system that applies to current weather conditions (i.e. air conditioner in the summer, furnace in the winter) but does not evaluate the other system. In addition, several home inspectors do not have the equipment or technical knowledge to properly test HVAC systems so they tend to include several disclaimers on the home inspection about their lack of knowledge and recommend a qualified HVAC contractor evaluate further.

This disclaimer is routinely included so that the recommendation to get a HVAC inspection completed becomes “white noise” to a potential home buyer. Home buyers assume more testing is done on their HVAC systems by a whole house inspector than what is actually completed. Therefore, they read the inspection report which indicates “furnace appears functional” and assume that their furnace is fine. However, a furnace can be “functioning” and yet operating with a crack in the heat exchanger or be in need of a cleaning. cost of 2 ton hvac systemA HVAC contractor can run more sensitive carbon monoxide testings than what is detected by a retail carbon monoxide detector. window ac unit in sliding windowThe contractor can also perform a pressure test or use a scope to check for a cracked heat exchanger, which is the most frequent cause of a furnace claim denial due to pre-existing conditions.when your ac unit freezes

HVAC repairs and replacements are costly…much more so than kitchen and laundry appliances. If the home inspector misses something on a dishwasher, at worst case scenario, you can replace an entire dishwasher for $300. Not so with a new furnace, heat pump or air conditioner which can run into several thousands of dollars. A seller disclosure form is not an adequate indicator of the expected life and condition of the HVAC systems in a home. A seller may have used the systems differently (did not vary thermostat settings much from season to season) or may not have completed routine maintenance on their HVAC systems, thereby being unaware of any potential problems with their systems. Home Warranty, Inc. is such a strong proponent of the HVAC Pre-Inspections that we offer FREE HVAC coverage to the seller during the time of listing (up to six months) with a satisfactory HVAC inspection. We also will provide a written guarantee against claim denials due to pre-existing conditions on the HVAC systems once the inspection comes back satisfactory.

The home seller or home buyer would pay for the HVAC inspection (generally $50-$99) using the qualified HVAC company of their choice after scheduling the inspection through our toll free customer service line 877-977-4949. We send a checklist to the HVAC company and continue to follow up until the inspection is completed. We then notify both the homeowner and the real estate agent(s) involved in writing. Sellers can also use this documentation as a further selling point on their home, letting potential home buyers know that their systems have been professionally inspected and have been found satisfactory. For more information visit our pre existing conditions page and our pre-inspection faq page or talk to your District Sales Representative. SubscribeReceive the latest home warranty news and updates directly in your email inbox!Cost to Clean HVAC System To estimate costs for your Clean HVAC System project, change the size and default options below... Home Size 1600 square feet

Labor Type Vendor supplied Do you need to know the average cost to clean an hvac system in your zip code? Do you need a fair, trustworthy and easy-to-understand 2015 estimate of HVAC System Cleaning material and labor costs? Just enter your project size, job options and zip code - and then select Update. HVAC System Cleaning - Pricing Notes This estimate is for repainting (walls, light textured ceiling, base molding, 2 doors and door casing per room) previously painted rooms. It includes basic surface cleaning, spot priming and two coats of paint. Time for planning, equipment and material acquisition, area preparation and protection, setup and cleanup are also included. This estimate is for repainting both sides of a raised panel door in good condition: patch and smooth holes and minor damage, clean and spot prime, roll/brush two coats of paint. Time for carefully masking or removing/reinstalling hardware not to be painted is also included. This estimate is for better quality repainting work: neatly patch holes and minor damage, caulk edge gaps, mask/protect adjacent surfaces not to be painted, clean and spot prime surface, roll/brush two coats of paint.

Estimated cost includes labor to remove accumulated dirt, light particulate deposits and all other foreign matter from HVAC System(s). Includes allowance for equipment expenses typically required to complete HVAC System Cleaning properly. Estimate includes costs for disposable materials, equipment consumables and supplies used in HVAC System Cleaning. Labor total includes time typically required to setup, clean and breakdown equipment needed for HVAC System Cleaning. Estimate includes transportation costs for workers and equipment to and from the job site. HVAC System Cleaning - Pricing References 2012-2013 NCMA Resource Guide The National Concrete Masonry and Hardscape Association, Mar 2011, Editorial Staff Manual of Standard Estimating Practice American Society of Professional Estimators, Jul 2012, Editorial Staff Carpentry and Building Construction, Student Text Glencoe/McGraw-Hill; 6th edition, Jan 2003, Mark Feirer, John Feirer, ISBN 007822702X