Chances are, you’ve never considered that a plumber may be useful outside of your bathroom or kitchen. Often, a plumber is first on your list when you’ve got a clogged toilet or leaking pipe, but that the same expertise your plumbing contractor brings to your wastewater pipes may prove useful elsewhere.
In fact, most plumbers have expertise and professional skills that go far beyond your water-related needs, making them a great choice for a variety of contracting needs. Specifically, they can be go-to professionals for fixing up heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (or HVAC for short).
Why plumbers can handle your HVAC
While aspects of your HVAC like its vents, air conditioner, and furnace may sound like a realm best left to HVAC technicians, there’s one key aspect where plumbers’ expertise really shines: the refrigerant lines. Your HVAC’s refrigerant lines carry coolant in a gaseous form to and from the interior and exterior of your house via pipes.
This pivotal piece of your HVAC system can be efficiently and effectively serviced by a plumbing contractor, thanks to their knowledge of a variety of piping systems. Regardless of whether your HVAC is split system, duct-free, or zoned, a plumber can handle the inspection and repair of your air conditioning or heating.
Can a plumber save you money on your HVAC?
On average, hiring an HVAC technician to install your HVAC system will run about $2,500, with some prices reaching a shocking $7,000 depending on the square footage of your home. Meanwhile, hiring a plumber typically ranges between $100 to $800, with hourly labor costs tending to run somewhere from $45 to $200 an hour.
Another way you may save money is by taking advantage of a plumbing contractor who offers flat rate pricing, such as VA Plumbing Pros. Especially for repairs, it may be in your wallet’s best interest to receive some quotes from local plumbers before you commit to hiring a traditional HVAC technician to inspect your air conditioning or heating.
What you should look for in a plumber
If you’re looking for a plumber to handle your HVAC system, it may be hard to discern how much expertise they have in heating and cooling just from their website. Even though many plumbers may prioritize more traditional work in their online presence, you can find out what their level of expertise is with HVAC by making a quick phone call or using their contact form online. When discussing your project, consider asking the following questions to determine how suitable they may be for working on your HVAC:
- How many years of experience do you have installing HVAC systems?
- What is your comfortability inspecting, diagnosing, and making HVAC repairs?
- How long do your HVAC service calls typically take?
- Do you offer flat rate pricing? If not, does your hourly rate change based on the type of work you are performing?
Of course, besides evaluating your plumbers’ expertise, it’s also important to make sure that they seem like a good fit for you. If they are friendly, courteous, and have positive referrals from friends or family, these are factors you should weigh in your decision as well.
You might be surprised to discover that plumbers are capable of performing repairs on your home beyond unclogging drains or fixing leaky pipes. In fact, one of the most common areas you may want to seek a plumber’s expertise in is HVAC systems. Plumbers generally have the skills to handle the repair, cleaning, and maintenance of your air conditioner or heater, and in some cases this can save you money in the process. Contact your local plumber the next time you have issues with your HVAC to see how they may be able to help you solve your problem without breaking your budget.
