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The Importance of Regular HVAC Maintenance for Rental Properties

by | Jan 9, 2023 | HVAC System, Maintenance

The Importance of Regular HVAC Maintenance for Rental Properties

As a landlord or building manager, you have a thousand different things to consider when taking care of a rental property. It’s easy for things to slip through the cracks, especially preventative maintenance. When you have to decide between focusing on giving your HVAC system a tune-up or cleaning up some pressing issues, the air conditioner can often end up by the wayside. However, regular tune-ups and maintenance appointments are extremely important to make sure your HVAC system is running smoothly, and skipping them can lead to serious costs for you later on down the road.

 

HVAC 101 Everything you need to know

 

Common HVAC Issues in Santa Rosa Rental Properties

Santa Rosa gets pretty warm during the summer but it never gets to be boiling hot, which means most of the issues you’ll run across have to do with gradual wear and tear. The most common problem your tenants will report is a general lack of airflow coming from the vents. That could be reduced airflow in the whole building or blockages in specific rooms or apartments. Either way, the first thing you should do is clean up a little. Dust and other particulates can get caught in the vents or the ducts and block airflow through the whole system, leaving your tenants sweating in the summer. While the residents can take care of cleaning the vents themselves, the rest will be up to you to handle.

In many cases, reduced airflow is caused by a blockage at a single bottleneck: the air filter. These filters typically need to be cleaned or swapped out about once a month, and failing to keep up with that schedule can cause clogs to form. Not only will this reduce the airflow to the living spaces inside, but it also forces the system to work harder, causing more wear and tear.

If the air conditioner won’t turn on at all, you should make sure the breaker hasn’t been tripped. If power is flowing to the unit but it won’t turn on, you should contact an HVAC technician to take a look. The same goes for reports of strange sounds coming from the unit. Grinding, knocking, or scraping sounds are generally an indication that something is actually broken inside the AC unit and you should have it fixed immediately. Letting a broken air conditioner continue to function without fixing it will only make the problem significantly worse.

 

How to Identify and Address HVAC Problems in Your Rental Property

Ultimately, the answer to most of these issues will be to just call a professional to fix the system, but there’s still plenty of troubleshooting that you can do on your own first. If your tenants aren’t getting enough cold air and you’ve already checked the vents and the air filter, your next step should be to check the unit itself. Take a look around for excess moisture or ice forming on the unit. This could indicate a refrigerant leak, which often causes a reduction in efficacy for the AC. Low refrigerant levels can cause moisture to build up inside the air conditioner and eventually freeze. You should turn off the unit and allow the ice to melt by itself – don’t try to hurry the process by breaking it off, since the coils inside an air conditioner are extremely fragile and easily bent. The best way to avoid a refrigerant leak is to keep up with your regular maintenance appointments. Generally, the technician will both check the refrigerant line for leaks and top off any refrigerant that was lost over the course of the year.

It’s also worth taking a look at some things outside of the unit itself. For example, if a single apartment isn’t receiving any cold air while the others are, that could indicate a problem with the thermostat, not the air conditioner. In most cases, simply switching out the batteries in the thermostat can completely fix the problem. Replacing a thermostat is often cheaper than repairing an air conditioner, so make sure you check them as well.

If the AC is making any strange sounds, try to write down what kind of noise it’s making. This can be a big help for the HVAC technician when it comes time for them to diagnose the unit, so ask your residents for a description of any strange noises they hear coming from the AC.

 

The Benefits of Working with a Professional HVAC Repair Company

One major part of being a good building manager is knowing how to make some repairs yourself so you don’t have to pay for outside help. That’s generally a good idea, but we’d advise against trying to fix an air conditioner by yourself unless you’re extremely confident in your own experience. Air conditioning units are fairly complicated, and the parts inside are pretty delicate. They require a great deal of knowledge and expertise to repair, and even a single small mistake could lead to a pierced refrigerant line ($400 to replace) or a bent evaporator coil ($1500 to replace). When you’re dealing with something that’s both complex and expensive, it’s usually a good idea to let the professionals handle it for you. That’s especially true if you’re taking care of an entire rental property since it frees you up to address some of the other issues that are constantly popping up.

Most HVAC repair companies will offer maintenance contracts to rental property owners, which can be a huge advantage for you. These contracts typically entitle you to free maintenance appointments, generally one or two a year, which means you can keep your HVAC system in good working order without having to take a look at your budget. They generally also include free labor for any repairs your unit might require, as well as a reduced cost for replacement parts. You’ll have to do the math yourself to figure out if a maintenance contract is the best option for you, but they’re worth taking a look at.

 

Residential heating

 

The Role of the Landlord in HVAC Maintenance and Repair for Rental Properties

The landlord’s role in maintaining and repairing the HVAC system will depend on the parameters laid out in the lease. Most agreements have a shared responsibility, so the tenant is responsible for certain things and the landlord is responsible for the rest. Generally, under this model, the tenant is responsible for performing basic maintenance tasks themselves, including cleaning the vents and replacing the air filter. The tenant generally also takes care of the thermostat and replaces the batteries. In return, the landlord pays for any additional maintenance and repairs that require outside help. This is pretty standard and often extends to other household systems as well, like plumbing.

For multifamily rental properties, another common model has the landlord taking full responsibility for the HVAC system. This is obviously less ideal for you from a financial standpoint, but it’s actually a lot easier to manage everything this way. In apartment buildings, tenants often don’t even have access to the HVAC units, which are usually kept in the basement or otherwise away from the living spaces. Landlords taking full responsibility for the cost of maintaining the HVAC system frequently choose to sign maintenance contracts with HVAC repair companies so they don’t have to worry about the cost of each appointment.

There are some cases that involve tenants taking full responsibility for the HVAC system, but they’re relatively rare. This usually happens when a single tenant is renting a house or other single-family building and would prefer to have more control over the heating and cooling of their home. In this scenario, of course, HVAC maintenance and repair would be entirely out of your hands and so you wouldn’t have to worry about any of the information in this particular blog post.

 

The Cost of HVAC Repair for Santa Rosa Rental Properties: Is It Worth the Investment?

We’re going to skip ahead and just answer this question now – yes, it’s always worth the investment to repair and otherwise maintain your HVAC system. Air conditioners and furnaces are a little bit like cars in that small problems tend not to just go away if you ignore them. Ignoring a small issue will only cause it to become a big one later on, and you could also see a sudden loss of efficiency in the system. If you don’t want to be hit by a wave of complaints the next time your tenants open their monthly utility bills, you should make sure to stay on top of your regular HVAC maintenance.

The average cost to repair an air conditioner or furnace varies based on what exactly the problem is, but you can expect to pay between $200 and $600 if something is broken inside the unit. If you have to order replacement parts, that cost can get as high as $2,000 for a new compressor. That’s one of the reasons why regular maintenance is so important – it can mean the difference between a $200 repair job or a $1,500 replacement part. We highly recommend giving your HVAC system a tune-up once a year or so and sticking to that schedule once you have it set up. Skipping even a single year’s maintenance appointment can lead to real problems when the system is running.

There is one instance when paying for repairs might not be worth the money, and that’s when your air conditioner or furnace is already very old and will need to be replaced soon either way. In the HVAC business, we generally use a quick bit of math called the “$5,000 Rule.” Next time you get a repair bill from an HVAC technician, multiply the cost by the age of your air conditioner or furnace in years. If the resulting number is higher than 5,000, you might be better off just buying a new unit instead of repairing this one. However, this rule isn’t necessarily a hard one, so we’d recommend having a discussion with a trusted HVAC professional before making a decision either way. Keep in mind that HVAC contractors and technicians typically have years and years of expertise that they’re more than happy to share with anyone who asks!

 

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HVAC Repair and Maintenance: A Win-Win for Landlords and Tenants

An HVAC system isn’t necessarily the first thing a potential tenant looks for while shopping for a new home, but a subpar one can absolutely be a dealbreaker. Especially in places like Santa Rosa where the weather can get pretty uncomfortable throughout the year, a faulty air conditioner or heater can turn the perfect living situation into a miserable one for your tenants, and we don’t have to tell you why dissatisfied tenants can be a real problem for landlords. After all, who wants to spend all summer sweating in their own home?

Luckily, it doesn’t take all that much work to keep an HVAC system in good working order if you’re willing to stay on top of a maintenance schedule. Keep up with your yearly tune-up appointments and don’t put them off – ideally, you should be getting those done just before the heavy use season starts up, so AC maintenance should be done in mid to late spring, and heating maintenance should be done in the fall. Encourage your tenants to report any issues they’re experiencing with the HVAC system, including poor airflow, uncomfortable temperatures, strange noises, and anything else that seems off. Remember that a small repair now can be a lot less expensive than a big repair later, even if it does sting to pay for help.

If you’re in Napa, Sonoma, or Marin Counties and you’re interested in more information or you’re looking for someone to help you out with HVAC maintenance, Valley Comfort Heating & Air is here to help. You can come to visit us at our location in Santa Rosa, contact us right here through our website, or just give us a call at (707) 539-4533.

Boiler Preventative Maintenance in January

by | Jan 17, 2017 | HVAC

Boiler Preventative Maintenance in January

If you rely on a boiler to supply your home with warm water and air, do not assume it will function without flaw throughout the year. Boilers can break down just like traditional furnaces and air conditioners. Do yourself a favor by scheduling boiler preventative maintenance for your boiler at least once per year. Keep reading to find out why it is in your best interest to have your boiler examined and adjusted by a professional.

What is Checked and Improved During Boiler Preventative Maintenance

Our mission is to have your boiler operating exactly as it should to reduce the odds of operational failure, repairs and replacement. Let our team perform boiler preventative maintenance on your boiler and we will check an array of components.

Our boiler technician will ensure your boiler’s flues and air vents are not blocked. If there is a blockage, we will clean it out so air can pass through freely. We will check the water to make sure it is at the optimal level so irreparable damage isn’t inflicted on your boiler. If the water level is below the recommended minimum level, we will examine the plumbing and figure out how to remedy faults. Furthermore, we’ll make sure the pilot light is lit, check for leaks, examine parts for damage, determine if lime-scale hampers the boiler’s heating capacity and perform de-scaling. Our boiler gurus will also apply lubrication to the boiler fan, pumps and other parts that move at a high frequency.

Our ultimate goal is to boost the system’s working capacity. We sweat all the “small stuff” during our preventative boiler maintenance process. From clearing dust from boiler parts to flushing the water in order to eliminate grit and dirt, our team minds all those little details that add up to make a big difference.

Avoid Repairs

Let one of our boiler experts take a close look at your boiler and you will obtain a lovely peace of mind. Our boiler aficionados know exactly what to look for when performing an in-depth analysis. Give an experienced technician the chance to pinpoint existing flaws and correct any problems he finds and you’ll likely save a bundle of money in the long run. Such regular maintenance is the key to avoiding those uber-expensive repairs that rear their ugly heads after years of inattention.

Safety

Annual boiler preventative maintenance also serves to identify boiler issues that have the potential to cause accidents and jeopardize the safety of those living in your household. Can you imagine trying to live without warm air and hot water for an extended period of time? Such a nightmare scenario has the potential to unfold if you fail to lean on the professionals for preventative boiler maintenance.

Improve Your Boiler’s Efficiency

Give our boiler gurus the opportunity to boost your boiler’s performance and you will enjoy the type of home heating efficiency you deserve. Efficient boilers aren’t forced to operate at a high frequency and consequently, require fewer repairs. A boiler that operates as designed will put you at ease during those brutally cold months. Furthermore, a well-maintained boiler will last much longer than originally anticipated.

Schedule Your Boiler Preventative Maintenance Today

Reach out to us to schedule boiler preventative maintenance and you just might save yourself thousands of dollars in the long run. Boiler preventative maintenance is especially important for homeowners who have not had their boiler inspected within the past year. Even if our team doesn’t find major cause for concern, we’ll pinpoint potential points of weakness, make important adjustments that boost your boiler’s efficiency and ultimately provide you with an invaluable peace of mind.  Contact us for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

Why Schedule an HVAC Inspection

by | Jan 10, 2017 | HVAC

Your HVAC inspection should be scheduled at least once each year. This inspection provides a variety of benefits. From giving a “trained eye” the chance to spot problems to improving performance, an annual HVAC inspection will provide you with the peace of mind you deserve.

Get Your System in Working Order

Part of the annual HVAC inspection is verifying that the system is operating at peak efficiency. If the technician determines your heating or cooling system is not functioning as designed, he will pinpoint exactly what is wrong. Furthermore, the technician will tune up the furnace/air conditioner to ensure it operates as designed. A HVAC system firing on all cylinders will provide optimal air flow with as little “run time” as possible.

 Reduce Your Heating and Cooling Costs

Perhaps the best reason to schedule a HVAC inspection is to save money across posterity. The technician will tune-up the system, pinpoint blockages and leaks, determine if the heat exchanges have rusted or corroded, check the blower wheel for debris, examine the integrity of the wiring and check the filters. If there are any problems, the technician will bring them to your attention and suggest the appropriate repairs. Once problems are remedied, you will be left with a HVAC system that operates without flaw. The end result will be heating/cooling systems that operate as infrequently as possible and consequently, lower utility bills.

 Preventive Maintenance

Heating and cooling systems that are neglected tend to create expensive problems down the line. A minor problem that could be easily identified by a HVAC aficionado has the potential to spiral into a costly project if it is not tended to in a timely manner. Rely on a HVAC professional to perform preventive maintenance on your heating/cooling systems and he’ll sweat all the “small stuff” so you can rest easy, knowing the odds of an expensive problem popping up down the line are greatly minimized. This way, you won’t have to worry about your furnace giving out in the dead of winter and leaving you and your loved ones without heat when you need it the most.

 Safety

If your home heating or cooling system has a leak, emits dirty air or suddenly stops working, the well-being of your family will be jeopardized. As an example, an air conditioning system that leaks freon can cause heart palpitations, dizziness, headaches and lung irritation. Let a trained HVAC expert examine your system and he will determine if changes need to be made to ensure the health of your loved ones. Even something as seemingly minor as dirty air ducts can have a major impact on your health. If the HVAC technician believes your system is emitting air with allergens, dirt or dust, has the potential to leak or give out in the middle of the winter/summer, he will let you know exactly what sorts of repairs should be made.

 Prolong the Life of Your Heating and Cooling Systems

A HVAC inspection has the potential to extend the lifespan of your systems. An inspection gives a HVAC technician the chance to perform a comprehensive analysis to determine if anything is wrong. Once the flaws are identified and repaired, the odds of your system standing the test of time are greatly increased.

Schedule Your HVAC Inspection Today

If your HVAC system has not been inspected within the past year, don’t delay one day longer. Contact us to schedule an inspection. We will examine your heating and cooling systems in-depth, find any potential weaknesses and make sure these systems are functioning at the optimal level.

The Advantages Of Doing Maintenance Check Of Your Heating System

by | Oct 25, 2013 | Heating

 

Even before the first sign of winter comes, you need to be prepared. One important aspect in your home management issue is the care and maintenance of your heating system. We don’t want to freeze in the cold, and the best way to ensure this is to have thorough maintenance job done on your house’s heater. Some of these tasks can be easily done without calling the serviceman.

 

The Advantages of Heating System Checked before Winter

In the face of economic crisis, it pays to be prudent in managing our household resources and money. By ensuring fall maintenance heating system checks, you do not only ensure safety of your property but also saves money from more repairs and future hazards. A properly maintained heating system can also provide the needed comfort of your family during the cold months. It keeps you protected from the elements and risks to children’s or elder people’s health. A functioning heater can keep the chills away.

Proper maintenance whether done by a professional technician or by anyone in the family should be top priority this autumn. The advantages of being early are too many compared to the inconvenience it may cause on your routine. Some people wait until it is too late. The full extent of the damage on your heating system should be known as early as fall. Do not wait for it to break down at winter time before you do some maintenance work.

 

The Full Checklist

With a “maintenance can reduce furnace repairs” attitude high in your agenda, prepare a checklist of other household management issues you need to tackle before winter comes. Here are some of them:
• Check your doors and windows for cracks or leaks to ensure your heater will not have to work harder to keep warm air inside your house;
• Check the air filters for accumulated dusts, holes, and dirt in general. Have them cleaned thoroughly. Too much dirt on the air filter can cause your heater to break down. Make it a habit to clean this every two weeks. You will be surprised how easily dust can accumulate on the air vents.
• Check the thermostat for consistency and accuracy. Thermostats tend to wear out easily, lose accuracy particularly the older analog thermostat. Test as well the heating or cooling system. Ensure that the thermostat reflects the actual temperature in your home. This can be done by placing a standard thermometer next to your thermostat. Record the different temperature readings every 15 minutes. By this you will know if you need to replace it with a newer, more accurate digital model.
• Older heating system needs lubrication. The fan blades must also be cleaned. Check the belt of the furnace blower if it is misaligned.

 

If you have the knowledge to work on these machines, you can save time and money. But if this is too much work for you, you can always call the serviceman to do the rounds.