Generally, manufacturer's warranties cover defects in materials and workmanship that affect the unit's performance. This may include faulty components, compressor failure, or refrigerant leaks. Specific parts and labor coverage, however, may vary.
Wear and Tear-Prone Components
Think of brake pads, tires, and wiper blades. You won't find them covered in the bumper-to-bumper warranty. Even light bulbs and fuses are often excluded.
Common Exclusions in AC Warranties
Your warranty may be 'limited' and therefore, may not cover repairs and/or replacements of all parts. Typical parts that may not be fully covered under your warranty are the compressor, blower motor, evaporator coil, and fan motor.
Damaging the Unit
Warranties are in place to cover repairs when your HVAC unit malfunctions prematurely. If you cause any type of damage to the system, whether it's accidental negligence or on purpose, you may void the warranty.
A compressor warranty covers the compressor, which is the heartbeat of the Air conditioning system. Most Compressors come with a 10 year warranty. When a compressor fails 99% of the time it is from improper installation.
An HVAC Warranty Doesn't Cover Weather-Related Damage
If your air conditioner was flooded in a storm, got pelted by hail, zapped by lightning or a power surge, or smashed by a falling tree or other debris, the warranty will not apply.
On average, AC compressor costs range from $800 to $2,300, with most folks paying $1,200 for a new one. However, your price will vary depending on factors like the size and brand of your compressor. Before you schedule your replacement, read on to learn about all AC compressor cost factors.
The answer is yes; home warranties can cover HVAC, but it depends on the terms of your plan. This is one of the many reasons why paying attention to the plan you select when choosing a home warranty company is essential.
You Significantly Altered the Product
Sometimes, even self-repairs or third-party repairs of a defective product can void the warranty. Using a third-party replacement part may or may not risk the warranty. A merchant needs an official waiver to require customers to use parts from its brand exclusively.
The AC unit manufacturer provides the manufacturer's warranty and typically covers defects in materials and workmanship. These warranties vary in duration and coverage, with some offering limited coverage on specific components while others provide more comprehensive protection.
Homeowner: A new evaporator coil replacement costs $630 to $1,700 if it is still under warranty. Homeowner: An indoor AC coil replacement costs $1,230 to $3,700 if it is no longer under warranty.
The labor warranty covers service call charges and labor with your HVAC company. (More on that in the next section.) But there's also the manufacturer's part warranty. This is what covers the cost of broken parts in a given period of time.
Some air conditioner manufacturers have warranty lookup resources on their websites or if you call their customer support line. When you call or lookup online, be sure to have your installation and information paperwork as you will likely need information, including the serial number from your AC unit.
What Is Not Covered by Warranties. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear; damage through abuse, neglect, misuse; or as a result of any accident, overloading, improper installation/misapplication, product alteration, improper operation, improper cleaning, improper handling, or improper maintenance and repair.
If a product stops working during the warranty period, the company that issued the warranty has the option of repairing the product, replacing it, or refunding your money within 30 days. If they do not have repair facilities in California, you can return the product to any store that sells that product.
Defects in Materials and Workmanship
This is the core of most manufacturer warranties. It covers any flaws in the materials used or mistakes made during the assembly or manufacturing process. If your product malfunctions because of these defects, the manufacturer will typically repair or replace it at no cost to you.
Lack of Maintenance: Failing to properly maintain the vehicle, such as missing oil changes or using improper fluids, can void a warranty. Ignoring the Maintenance Schedule: Not adhering to the manufacturer's prescribed maintenance schedule could lead to a voided warranty.
You don't have to use the dealer for repairs or maintenance to keep your warranty in effect. In fact, it's illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage because you had routine maintenance or repairs done by someone else.
Warranties provide a guarantee about the condition of goods and services purchased, providing an assurance that they are as advertised. They are generally only good for a specified period. When that period ends, the issuing entity is no longer obligated to repair or replace a product previously covered.
Circumstances – A fairly standard exclusion for all warranties is in circumstances such as storms, fires, physical destruction, so-called “acts of god”, and electrical surges. Pretty much any circumstances other than the normal operating conditions for an HVAC system will be excluded from a manufacturer's warranty.
It's important to be aware of how long air conditioners last, so you don't get the unwelcome surprise of a broken air conditioner in the peak of the summer heat. In general, air conditioners that are properly maintained can last 15 to 20 years.
The warranty should cover the cost if your AC is otherwise in working order and likely to last a few more years. However, you'll still pay your HVAC contractor for labor. A problem with another part often causes the compressor to fail. Your contractor will check for any issues that may have led to the main event.
Your air conditioner compressor should last the whole lifespan of your air conditioner, about twelve years or more if you choose a ClimateCare air conditioner. However, it might not last that long if your air conditioner is too small for the space it's cooling, or if you don't keep your air conditioner well-maintained.
The technician should be able to tell you if the compressor is (or is not) still under warranty. If you have to pay for labor and the compressor, chances are you're going to need to replace the entire outside unit because it would cost slightly more than replacing the compressor.
Homeowners insurance covers HVAC systems when the damage is a result of a covered disaster or peril, including high winds, fallen trees, theft, hail or even a fire. So if lightning strikes your unit and damages its electrical components, your homeowners insurance policy would probably cover it.