How your HVAC service saves customers money
As an HVAC pro, you know how your regular HVAC service can help extend the life of a unit and lower energy bills for a customer, but selling customers on HVAC routine maintenance services can be difficult.
Discover how to show your customers how your HVAC service lowers their energy bills and saves them money.
Show customers how much your HVAC service lowers bills
Most heating and cooling technicians have been in a situation where they are trying to persuade a homeowner to get proper duct sealing, upgrade a thermostat or complete any other combination of HVAC system services to help improve the overall function of their unit but had customers be hesitant to take on those HVAC service costs.
What your customer may not realize is that hiring an experienced HVAC pro will pay for itself in the long run in energy savings. We did some research on the top ways to cut down on heating and cooling expenses and found the data to show just how cost-effective your services can be.
The next time you have a customer scoff at your estimate, give them the numbers to back why hiring a pro is worth the money.
How your HVAC service helps customers get a lower energy bill
When an HVAC system is installed properly and maintained regularly, it can achieve maximum efficiency. Putting off regular HVAC servicing may help save on that initial cost, but it can be more expensive down the road when systems need major repairs or the unit stops working as efficiently as it could.
We’ve broken down how a couple of key services can provide customers with a lower energy bill.
Proper heating and cooling unit installation: 30% reduction
Duct sealing: 20-30% more efficient
Regular maintenance and cleaning: 15% savings
Upgrading the thermostat: 10% savings
Proper HVAC installation increases efficiency.
It all starts with proper HVAC installation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), improper installation of a heating and cooling unit can reduce energy efficiency by up to 30%.
The money spent for a professional technician to complete proper installation from the start is more than made up for in the monthly savings of a lower energy bill. Anytime a new unit is installed, it’s important to sign the customer up for an HVAC routine maintenance contract, so you can provide regular HVAC service for the lifetime of the unit.
Duct sealing locks in savings.
Holes, gaps and cracks in air ducts and registers of forced air systems allow conditioned air to escape into areas that don’t need to be cooled. The EPA reports that, on average, duct sealing services can optimize energy efficiency by 20-30%.
It requires an expert eye to identify trouble spots in the ductwork. Let your customers know about your duct sealing service and that the money they spend on this service will more than pay for itself with lower energy bills.
HVAC routine maintenance saves energy.
Over time, dirt and grit accumulate in air filters and grilles and throughout heating and air conditioning units. Make sure to show your customers how to change or clean their air filter and encourage them to set a monthly reminder to do so.
In fact, simply replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a fresh one can reduce the energy consumption of a unit by as much as 15%. While a customer might be capable of changing their air filter, they probably don’t know how to clean the rest of the system.
Cleaning the air blower components once a year can save up to 15% on energy use, according to the EPA. Tell your customers that for the same reason they go to the dentist twice a year, they need to get a semi-annual professional cleaning on their central air system.
The regular service cost of HVAC routine maintenance is nominal, considering the saving it can have on both the utility bill and future repairs. Often, these routine HVAC services catch small issues that could lead to costly repairs if not addressed.
Upgrading the thermostat can reduce power use.
If your customer is using an old mercury thermostat, encourage them to step into the digital age with a new programmable thermostat. Advanced thermostat technology makes it easy to prevent heating and cooling units from running when not needed, such as when people are at work.
Many of the smart thermostats take the season, daily routines and daily habits into consideration, adjusting temperatures in your home for the ideal balance of comfort and savings.
Setting the temperature back by just seven to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can reduce power use by 10%, per the U.S. Department of Energy. Some smart thermostats even allow your customers to adjust temperatures from their phones when they’re away from the house.
Explain to them the advantages of upgrading thermostats and how that inexpensive update can lead to lower energy bills.
Ferguson can help you complete your HVAC service jobs
Ferguson is ready to help you grow your HVAC business while providing exceptional products and services to your customers. Discover more in the Ideas & Learning Center about smart home products, top safety precautions and general HVAC business tips.