Hi, there! Joe White here from Grow Property Management, your trusted property management company in Philadelphia.
I wanted to take a few minutes to explain something important in a quick video because it’s easier than sending you a long email. If you don’t have time to watch, that’s fine – the main point is this: we are recommending that owners like you get your HVAC systems serviced once a year. The cost will likely be around $200 or less, and we’ve already arranged for this service with an HVAC technician we’ve worked with many times. He’s reliable, and we’ve picked the ideal times for him to perform this work when he’s less busy, which helps keep costs low.
If you’re interested, we’re sending out a form via email. Just click on it and let us know if you want your system serviced. If you’re not interested, that’s totally fine too, and you won’t hear more from me on this subject. But if you’re curious, I’d like to explain why we’re making this recommendation.
This isn’t just a random idea that seems like a good suggestion. I’ve done a lot of research on it. Part of the reason we’re suggesting this is that tenants don’t always change furnace filters, which is critical to keeping an HVAC system running smoothly. While we provide tenants with filters and send them several reminders – plus, we try to incentivize them to change the filters by putting in place certain penalties if they don’t – some tenants still forget or neglect it. And when they don’t change those filters, it puts unnecessary strain on the system.
Over time, dirty filters lead to dirty ducts. And once a duct gets dirty, it’s not easy or cheap to clean. Dirty ducts also mean the property becomes dustier, making it a less desirable place for tenants to live, which could lead to increased tenant turnover and vacancy. As the property manager for Grow Property Management, part of my job is to monetize any damage that tenants cause, including damage to HVAC systems due to neglected filter changes. We try to assess how much damage has been done and put a dollar amount on it so that tenants are held responsible.
That being said, I want to protect your HVAC system from needing major repairs or early replacement. While it’s unlikely that choosing not to service your HVAC system will lead to anything catastrophic right away, regular servicing can prevent a lot of minor issues from escalating into major problems. For instance, tenants forgetting to change filters and dirty ducts can shorten the lifespan of your system. Although we do try to offset the costs of any damage by charging tenants when appropriate, larger expenses like replacing an entire HVAC system won’t feel like much of a consolation when you’re facing a big bill.
From a cost-benefit perspective, we believe it makes sense to have the HVAC system serviced yearly. HVAC companies usually recommend servicing systems twice a year, but I think doing it once a year is a reasonable compromise. The benefits of this approach are clear. First, it can reduce energy costs by around 5%. While this primarily benefits tenants, it also makes your property more attractive to potential renters, reducing vacancies.
Secondly, regular servicing extends the lifespan of the HVAC system by addressing minor issues before they become major ones. In my experience, spending a small amount on maintenance – like $3 can prevent much larger expenses down the line, like $3,000. This isn’t an exaggeration. As the person responsible for handling all maintenance requests that come through Grow Property Management, I’ve seen firsthand how minor issues, such as a simple wire malfunction, can lead to much bigger problems if left unattended. A small, proactive repair can save a significant amount of money. Often, it’s a tiny part – like a $2 piece of flashing – that, if left unchecked, causes severe damage throughout a property.
Another common issue we see with HVAC systems is clogged condensate lines. When these lines get clogged, it can lead to water damage or cause the HVAC system to stop working. Regular maintenance helps prevent these clogs by keeping the system clean and free of dust, mold, and mildew, which can accumulate in the line. By having the system serviced, you can avoid the costly repairs associated with clogged lines.
Servicing also improves the system’s energy efficiency. A dirty or worn-out HVAC system requires more energy to run, leading to higher energy bills and increased wear and tear. When you get your system serviced, the coils are cleaned, and all the parts are checked to ensure they’re operating at peak performance. This reduces energy costs and minimizes the strain on the system, which ultimately prolongs its life. Additionally, lubricating the moving parts of the HVAC system during servicing helps reduce the wear and tear on those parts, further extending the system’s lifespan.
There are other benefits, too, such as reducing refrigerant leaks and improving the overall comfort of your property. These improvements make the property more attractive to tenants and can reduce turnover, saving you money in the long run.
Again, we highly recommend that you consider having us service your HVAC system. The cost is likely to be around $200 or less, depending on how many zones your property has. Properties with multiple zones – meaning more than one HVAC unit – will cost a bit more. But even in those cases, regular servicing is worth the investment.
We’ve worked out a deal with our preferred HVAC technician, so we’re able to offer this service at a reduced cost. We’ve also coordinated with him to schedule the service during his slower times of the year, which means he’ll have more time to dedicate to your property and the work can be done without any rush. Plus, we’ve factored in the weather, making sure it’s an appropriate time for the technician to do outdoor work, like hosing down the unit, without dealing with extreme conditions.
The bottom line is that regular HVAC servicing benefits everyone. It’s a win for the tenant because it improves the comfort of the property and reduces energy costs. It’s a win for you, the owner, because it prolongs the life of your system and prevents costly repairs. And it’s a win for the HVAC technician, who gets to do the work during his slower season when he has more availability.
So, please fill out the form we’ve sent if you’re interested in having your HVAC system serviced. We’ll make sure to get it scheduled at a time that works best, and you’ll benefit from our preferred pricing. It’s a small investment with a big payoff in terms of both comfort and savings over the long run.
