In the world we live in today, we buy a lot of expensive things to keep ourselves comfortable. One of the costliest items is a new HVAC system. When homeowners make the decision to purchase a new HVAC system for their home, they want it to remain in the best working condition for as long as possible. Often, they are faced with a choice of a warranty or maintenance plan to go along with their new HVAC system. Both are key in preserving the life and efficiency of an HVAC! While there are some key differences between a warranty and a maintenance plan, it is important to note that most warranties are invalid or voided without a maintenance plan in place. Keep that in mind if you’re trying to save costs and skip the maintenance plan!

At Gilman, we have several options available for HVAC maintenance through our Gilman Comfort Plans. We also offer warranty options for your new HVAC system.

What’s the Difference Between an HVAC Warranty and HVAC Maintenance?
A warranty is a guarantee given to the homeowner by the HVAC manufacturer or contractor that promises to repair or replace defective parts. Some warranties may also offer labor to repair or replace these defective parts. What a warranty does not provide is a guarantee of same-day repair. It also will not cover the expenses of repair that go above and beyond your warranty coverage.
A maintenance plan is a service provided to protect an HVAC system and to foresee any potential product failures. Unlike a warranty, an HVAC maintenance plan can offer you faster response times and save costs by fixing potential issues before they become expensive issues. Most warranties require a maintenance plan in order for the warranty to stay valid. If a system has not been properly maintained, some manufacturers will deny claims for repair work.

Benefits of a Gilman Comfort Plan
At Gilman, we help homeowners prolong the life of their HVAC systems through our comprehensive maintenance plans. Our experienced technicians will inspect your HVAC system from top to bottom to make sure everything is running properly. The result is an efficient, well-tuned system that keeps more money in your pocket. It also helps to ensure that the system was properly taken care of should you need to file a warranty claim with the manufacturer.

Quality HVAC Maintenance
Nobody stands behind their work like Gilman. If you’re interested in purchasing a maintenance plan for your existing HVAC system or if you are looking at purchasing a new HVAC system check out our centennial sale for options on warranty, maintenance plans or both, give the G-man a call!

While the weather was all over in Richmond this winter, we did have a few very cold days that dipped below the 20 degree mark. In total we were able to give away 5 gift cards to our 20 degree winners this winter. The cold might be burdensome to our region, but we try to make it a little bit better with this giveaway. We hope you had fun. Congratulations to our winners.

Check back for the next contest soon! 

You know that routine maintenance for your HVAC system is important, but do you know what your technician should be inspecting?

Here are a few things our technicians are looking for:

• MOVING PARTS - inspect and lubricate all moving parts
• BELTS - inspect belts for wear
• REFRIGERATION - verify refrigerant levels
• HEAT EXCHANGER/COIL - inspect for visual signs of wear or failure
• COIL CLEANING - light cleaning of evaporator & condenser coil as needed
• THERMOSTAT - check calibration & operation
• AIR FILTERS - clean or replace customer supplied air filters & visually inspect duct system
• ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - inspect for loose connections, frays & adequate power supply
•  FOSSIL FUEL SYSTEMS - clean or replace filters & nozzles
• IGNITION SYSTEM - check for proper operation
• LEAKS - inspect for gas & oil leaks
• CONDENSATE - inspect condensate system

The cold weather can cause so many home problems, including frozen pipes. Frozen pipes can lead to bursting and cause serious home damage. Follow these steps to winterize your pipes to avoid major issues this winter.

1. Insulate your pipes. You can use insulation sleeves wrapping or slip-on foam. 

2. Seal all cracks. Walk the exterior of your home to look for any openings. Cold air can enter through these cracks.

3. Keep the interior warm. It is important to keep the interior of your home between 68 and 72 degrees during the day. At night and while you are away, you can adjust the temperature to between 59 and 62 degrees.

4. Let your faucets drips. If temperatures dip lower than freezing, turn your faucets on for a low drip. This will keep water moving and prevent freezing.

If you have questions or need help winterizing your home, give us a call today!

We have had quite the rainy season in Richmond these past few months. This type of weather can put a damper on outdoor activities, but offers a great opportunity for some indoor improvements. Here are 5 simple things you can do on a rainy day to improve your home.

1. Seal up doors and windows. Purchase some inexpensive weatherstripping from your local hardware and go around your house sealing up any doorway or window that has air leaks. This simple thing will save you money and keep the heat where you want it - inside!

2. Check for little leaks. Put a few drops of food coloring in the back of your toilet tank and wait 30 minutes. If the color comes through to the bowl it means you have a leak. Most of these leaks are simple fixes, like replacing the flapper, which you can get from a hardware store. 

3. Wash all your curtains. Taking down your window hangings may seem like a hassle, but if you clean them now, you will likely be more apt to use them to keep the heat in this winter. Closing your curtains can help reduce your energy costs during colder months.

4. Turn your water heater down to 115 degrees. By reducing the temperature by just a few degrees, you could have some serious money on your energy bill. Most water heaters are automatically set to 140.

5. Plan some activities for when the rain stops. Nothing will get you through a dreary day like planning something fun to do when the weather clears up. There are so many great things to do around the Richmond area that you are sure to find a fun activity!