Is a maintenance contract for the heating system worthwhile?

From MyHomebook |12.September 2020, 4:45 a.m.

Maintenance contracts are intended to help reduce the risk of disruptions and failures in building services.However, there are a few things to consider when concluding these contracts.

If the heating remains cold on Christmas Eve or suddenly all sockets are dead, this means not only trouble, but also considerable repair costs.Craftsmanships therefore advertise for maintenance contracts as an effective prevention against sudden failures in building services.What is going on and for whom a maintenance contract can be worthwhile, read here.

What is a maintenance contract about?

The regular maintenance of heating systems is probably the most common.According to an assessment of the consumer advice centers, annual inspections can actually extend the lifespan of a heating system.In addition, a well -maintained heating system spreads fewer emissions and burns more efficiently, which in turn can reduce operating costs.

The best time for the maintenance of the heating system is shortly before the start of the heating season, says Udo Wirges from the Central Association Sanitary Heating Klima.In view, the experts particularly have the oil heaters."Due to the operating material oil, they pollute more than gas heaters."

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Therefore, maintenance begins with thorough cleaning and maintaining the system and control of the wear parts.Finally, the heating is re -set and measurements ensure that all values are optimal."This also gives you well -equipped for inspection by the chimney sweep."

Maintenance contract can be designed individually

The scope of a heating maintenance contract can be freely designed, says Wirges."It can only affect the burner, but also include the boiler as well as the cables and the tank." Bei neuen Anlagen kann der Nachweis eines Wartungsvertrages sogar die Herstellergarantie verlängern.

The electrical systems in buildings can also be checked regularly.In commercial real estate, this maintenance is even prescribed by law for reasons of occupational safety.Any master company of the electrical trade can take over this service, and guild companies also offer this service. „Auch in privaten Haushalten steht die Sicherheit im Mittelpunkt", erklärt Alexander Neuhäuser vom Zentralverband der Deutschen Elektro- und Informationstechnischen Handwerke.

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Trained electricians go through the rooms and check whether the fuse box, the circuits, sockets and switches function correctly and are in a proper condition.Particular attention is paid to the measurements, in the context of which it is checked, for example, whether the residual current control switch in the safety box works perfectly.

The maintenance of electrical systems is a case for professionals, clarifies Neuhäuser."Only trained specialists can reliably determine and interpret the measured values." Ein Elektronik-Check kostet im Schnitt rund 200 Euro für ein Einfamilienhaus.At which course it is carried out depends on the age and condition of the property.

Insurance contract costs reimbursed

You can sometimes get the costs back from building and household insurance. „Manche Anbieter gewährleisten Prämiennachlässe für die regelmäßige Wartung der Gebäudeelektrik", sagt Neuhäuser.For example, this reduces the risk of fires caused by malfunctions of electrical systems.

In the meantime there are maintenance contracts for almost all technical elements of a property, starting from the roof, over the solar system, the connections for electromobility to sewage disposal.

Obtain several offers in the maintenance contract

But so that maintenance contracts actually pay off for customers, there are a few things to consider in advance, says Iwona Husemann from the Consumer Center North Rhine -Westphalia."As with every handicraft service, you should obtain several written offers, as prices and scope of services of the maintenance contracts differ greatly."

Therefore, it is important to fix the individual performance volume precisely."For example, there are agreements that either include or exclude costs for wearing parts." Gleiches gilt auch für die Fahrtkosten der Handwerker. „Der ausgewählte Betrieb sollte der Handwerkskammer angehören und für die zu wartende Anlage auch tatsächlich qualifiziert sein", rät Husemann weiter.

A common component of the maintenance contracts are emergency service agreements and the most important spare parts are ready.In addition, a specialist should have a detailed maintenance protocol.This may become important in the event of insurance damage.

Even the trend towards digitally networked smart home will not make maintenance contracts unnecessary, believes electro-specialist new houses.His thesis: "Instead, aspects such as software updates for the in-house networks and apps will continue to become more important."