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As equipment and material costs climb, homeowners across the D.C. region are increasingly choosing preventive maintenance and smaller repairs over replacing major plumbing, heating and cooling systems.

Cardinal Plumbing, Heating and Air, a Sterling-based company serving Northern Virginia, remains busy. But operations manager Patrick Garner said the mix of customer requests has changed since roughly a year and a half ago.

“Weather and comfort don’t really care about the economy,” Garner said.

He described the shift as an industrywide trend extending to manufacturers. Companies such as Rheem and Carrier have told shareholders to expect new-system sales to fall by about 25% to 30%, he said, while demand for minor repairs rises.

Higher replacement costs are helping drive that change. Garner said prices have increased for many materials and pieces of equipment, partly because of tariffs. Labor costs have also risen as installers and repair technicians earn more.

“We want all of our team members to be able to afford to live in the place that they serve,” Garner said. “And with the cost of everyday life and everyday expenses rising, so do labor costs.”

For homeowners seeking savings, Garner recommended maintenance plans offered by Cardinal and similar companies. Technicians may also teach customers to handle certain jobs themselves, including flushing a water heater.

Routine upkeep can prevent repair bills costing hundreds of dollars and full replacements costing thousands, Garner said. He compared the approach to regularly changing a car’s oil.

“You go every few months to get the oil changed in your car, you’re spending $50,” Garner said. “You go three years with never change the oil on your car, you’re blowing your engine and you’re spending $10,000. But as long as you’re ahead of it, you’re going to be fine.”