Why Ridge is the tier we recommend.
Base Camp covers the basics. Ridge is what a tune-up should actually be. We clean the coils — the single most impactful service on system efficiency — check refrigerant pressures, inspect your ductwork, measure amperage draw, and calibrate the system for optimal performance. These are the services that measurably reduce your utility bill and add years to equipment life.
Ridge includes everything in Base Camp:
- Filter replacement / cleaning
- Thermostat accuracy check & calibration
- Electrical connections & voltage test
- Condensate drain clearing & float switch test
- Moving-part lubrication
- Full system startup & functional test
- Visual inspection for wear, leaks, corrosion
- Written condition report
Plus the deeper work:
- Evaporator & condenser coil cleaning. Dirty coils are the #1 cause of efficiency loss in HVAC systems. A coil cleaning restores proper heat transfer — often recovering 15–25% of lost capacity.
- Fan blade & motor inspection. Fan blades get checked for balance and wear; motor bearings checked for play and noise.
- Refrigerant pressure & leak check. We measure high- and low-side pressures and scan for leaks. Low refrigerant is often silent — finding it early prevents compressor damage.
- Duct inspection for leaks & blockages. Quick visual and, where accessible, airflow assessment. Leaky ducts cost you 15–30% of conditioned air — worth knowing.
- Amperage draw & system calibration. We verify each component is drawing the right amps; anything trending up points to bearings or capacitors nearing end of life.
Membership benefits beyond the tune-up.
- Priority same-day emergency dispatch. No heat on a January morning, no cool in a July heat wave — you’re at the front of the queue. Same-day during business hours; next-morning after hours.
- 15% off all parts and labor. Real discount applied to the invoice.
- No trip, overtime, or diagnostic charges. Call us at 2am on a holiday — still no fee to come out.
- Digital maintenance record. Every visit documented.
The math on Ridge.
One avoided emergency dispatch fee ($150–$250) plus a coil cleaning ($200–$300 à la carte) already covers the plan. Everything else — 15% discount on repairs, priority spot in the schedule, no overtime charges — is upside. For most Vancouver homes with equipment 5–15 years old, Ridge is the financially obvious choice.
Who Ridge is a good fit for.
- Heat pump homes — the equipment runs year-round; coil cleaning matters more here
- Furnace + AC homes where the AC side needs annual attention
- Owners of equipment 5+ years old where efficiency is starting to matter
- Anyone who’s been burned by an emergency service call with surprise fees
- Rental property owners — keeps tenants out of crisis mode
Common questions.
What counts as "emergency dispatch"?
No heat when it’s cold out, no cooling when it’s hot out, any gas smell, water leaking from indoor components, tripping breakers — anything you’d call us at 2am about. Same-day response during business hours; next-morning for after-hours calls.
Is this plan a subscription?
No. It’s a one-time annual payment, no auto-renewal. We’ll reach out near the end of your plan year to see if you want to renew. No dark-pattern billing.
What if I want two visits per year?
That’s Summit. One Ridge visit covers either your cooling or your heating side, not both. Summit includes a full spring tune-up AND a full fall tune-up.
Can I have Ridge for multiple systems?
Yes. Each additional system is $150 more per year. So a main house system plus a detached garage mini-split would be $389 + $150 = $539/year for both.