Due to the recent global crisis, many people have come to spend the majority of their time inside their homes. This phenomenon has an impact on many things concerning people’s lives. For example, electronics, particularly air conditioners, are now often overused. And as you may imagine, this particular change can have a negative effect on an AC’s lifespan.
That would explain why you’re currently planning on getting an AC inspection soon. If that’s the case, you might want to first learn the cost of an AC inspection for homes in 2021.
But first, what’s an inspection?
What Is An Inspection?
If you’ve been looking into the costs of an AC inspection for homes in 2021 for quite some time, you may notice that most articles talk about the cost of tune-ups rather than a simple inspection.
Take note that a tune-up is different from an inspection. Suppose you’re in the UK, and you get an AC inspection in Winchester. Usually, the inspectors would go to your home, check your AC, and provide you with a detailed report that enumerates any issues concerning the device. They may also offer tips or advice on how you can best resolve these issues.
On the other hand, tune-ups are the steps you take when repairing the system, replacing a part, or giving it an upgrade. In short, a tune-up is a maintenance procedure for the system.
As such, when looking for the cost of an AC inspection, refrain from using the tune-up costs as a reference, as it most likely is entirely different from the actual cost of an AC inspection.
Average AC Inspection Costs For Homes
When you’re looking for AC inspection services, you can pay in one of the two ways: you can either hire a technician and pay them at an hourly rate or employ the help of a service provider and pay them a fixed rate. Both of these options can get the job done, but the price may differ.
For starters, if you choose the first option, the average hourly rate should be around USD$50. Since inspections usually don’t go for over an hour, this price is quite reasonable. On the other hand, if you choose the latter, you’re likely to pay an average of USD$100 for the entire inspection. Granted, the first option is cheaper, but in special circumstances (when the examination lasts for several hours), you may end up paying more in total.
Also, remember that the AC inspection costs for both these options will differ according to several factors. These may include the region’s climate and the AC’s size.
AC Vs. HVAC Inspection Costs
Take note that an AC inspection is different from an HVAC inspection, as the latter is usually more expensive. For your reference, the average cost of an HVAC inspection is USD$300. That’s because the inspection would include the entire HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. This means they will check the vents, air ducts, furnaces, and boilers, on top of the AC.
On that note, if the service provider asks you for this much money for an AC inspection, you’re most likely getting scammed, so it would be best if you look for another agency or technician.
How Often Should You Have Your AC Inspected?
Most people would assume that the best time to get their air conditioners inspected is when it starts breaking down. Unfortunately, that may be detrimental to the device or system.
Rather than scheduling an AC inspection only once you see an issue, it’s advisable to schedule inspections twice a year, preferably at the beginning of hot and cold seasons. That’s because you need to make sure the AC is performing optimally before the weather gets too cold or too hot, which is typically the time when your air conditioner will get overused.
But of course, if you do notice anything wrong with the AC before these times of the year, it’s still worth scheduling an inspection right away to mitigate any major issues.
Wrapping Up
No one is requiring you to get your air conditioner inspected regularly, but it’s still something you must do if you intend on keeping your AC for a couple more years. Not only will it help you identify underlying issues with the system, but inspectors may also give you advice on how to maximize the efficiency of the AC. So, while it may be pretty costly, AC inspections are one of those things that you shouldn’t pass on, especially in the hot and cold seasons.
