HVAC warranties are great for saving money and accessing professional repairs when your system breaks down. Not all warranties are the same, but most cover parts and labor for repairs or replacements. Carefully reading a warranty is key to making sure you don’t encounter any surprises. This detailed guide walks you through the basics of HVAC warranties, including what most of them cover as well as their normal limitations.
What Is an HVAC Warranty?
An HVAC warranty is an agreement that the manufacturer or installer provides when you buy a new cooling system or heater. Not all systems come with warranties but a lot of them do. The majority of warranties last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. Some providers will give you options to extend warranty protection for a longer period of time for an additional fee.
How to Qualify for or Access an HVAC Warranty?
To qualify for an HVAC warranty, you first need to make sure the manufacturer or installer provides one. You may or may not have to pay for it. Most times, you will have to register the HVAC system within 30 to 90 days after getting it installed to activate the warranty. You can usually complete the registration process by mail or online. Once registered, you will report any issues to the manufacturer or service provider to access coverage benefits. Documenting installation and regular maintenance by a qualified professional is crucial to keeping the warranty valid.
What Does an HVAC Warranty Cover?
Taking full advantage of a warranty requires understanding its many terms and stipulations. Here’s a look at what most HVAC warranties cover.
Compressor and Parts Replacement
The compressor is one of the most important parts of an HVAC system. It circulates refrigerant to provide consistent cooling and also helps maintain optimal pressure within the system. If the compressor breaks down, it can cost thousands of dollars to fix. The most common causes of compressor problems include refrigerant leaks, electrical failures and overheating. To qualify for warranty coverage, you’ll likely need to prove the compressor issue was a result of manufacturer defects or design issues.
Some of the other parts that a parts replacement warranty may cover include:
- Evaporator coils
- Condenser coils
- Blower motor
- Pressure switch
- Heat exchanger
- Expansion valve
Labor for Repairs
In addition to parts, many HVAC warranties cover labor expenses. They give you a great way to save a considerable amount of money because HVAC labor can be expensive. In fact, a lot of the time, HVAC repairs cost more in labor than they do for the parts.
What Are the Limitations of HVAC Warranties?
Getting an HVAC warranty is one of the best investments you can make. However, they do come with limitations that you should understand to avoid unexpected costs.
Regular Maintenance
HVAC warranties normally require you to prove that you received regular heating or cooling maintenance by a professional to stay active. However, they don’t cover the actual cost of maintenance.
You should never try to avoid maintenance in an attempt to save money. A basic tune-up can keep your warranty valid while also boosting the HVAC’s performance and efficiency.
Pre-Existing Damage
Most warranties won’t cover issues that stem from pre-existing damage caused by an improper installation. This is why it’s so important to have your system installed by a professional. They can install the equipment effectively and according to the manufacturer’s instructions to keep the warranty valid.
Keep in mind that you might have a warranty through the manufacturer as well as one through the installer. We highly recommend getting the HVAC installed by an installer who provides warranty protection. This will ensure coverage for any issues caused by a faulty installation that the manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t cover.
External or Environmental Factors
Most HVAC warranties don’t cover system damage caused by environmental factors, like flooding or power surges. This is unfortunate because natural disasters can wreak havoc on heating and cooling equipment. Our technicians at AirNow Air Conditioning are more than happy to recommend ways to protect your HVAC system against these environmental concerns. Adding whole-home surge protection will safeguard the equipment against power surges. Adding a sump pump can help protect against flooding; this ensures your HVAC system stays dry even during extreme conditions.
Getting a warranty is a smart move when upgrading your home with a new HVAC system. At AirNow Air Conditioning, we offer a variety of services to help your home achieve better heating and cooling efficiency. Some of our most popular services include HVAC installations, repairs and tune-ups. We also offer support for heat pumps.
Contact AirNow Air Conditioning today to learn more about the available HVAC warranties in Sarasota, FL.
