Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is very similar to your car; it can last 7 years or 20 years! The life expectancy largely depends on the quality of the equipment, and how the equipment has been maintained.
Without having a maintenance log of all your systems, how do you estimate the remaining "miles" your equipment has left? The answer: have an independent HVAC site survey.
Performing an independent HVAC site survey before purchasing new HVAC equipment will help to ensure you are making the right decisions. During an HVAC site survey, or HVAC audit, an independent partner will help you determine the current state of your equipment. To do so, your independent partner should tailor a unique scope of work to help you with your specific needs. An HVAC site survey can be complex with much focus on the fine details, or it can be a more general inspection of all equipment. Explain your situation and goals to your HVAC partner, and then let them create a plan or program that suits your needs.
But why am I highlighting independent? Because it is vital to ensure the gathered information is unbiased!
Your partner should be a true owner's advocate, working while looking through the eyes of the end owner. This task may be complicated for your equipment providers, preventative maintenance providers, and internal employees, as there may be a conflict of interest in reporting one outcome versus another.
One other important question to ask your independent provider is: Are you self-performing?
Self-performing is just as important as independent. Performing an HVAC site survey is a quality control-related process. To fully achieve a high-quality result from your HVAC site survey, you should also consider using a self-performing company. A self-performing company will use 100% of their own employees to survey your equipment. Therefore, the end product, or HVAC site survey report, will be created from the findings of your partner's direct employees that you can trust.
Once the time is right to replace or repair HVAC equipment, be sure to consider having an independent partner help you along the way. We’d appreciate if you’d consider Melink Corporation. We have a national network of self-performing technicians and have been working with national and regional partners for over 30 years! Let us know how we can help — comment below or call us at (513) 965-7300.