In this article…
- 5 Things To Look For In A High-Quality HVAC Warranty
- How To Find The Right HVAC Company And Warranty For Your New System
So, you’re in the market for a new HVAC system and find yourself shopping around different products and local companies to find the right one for your home.
You understand the importance of finding a high-quality HVAC system installed by a trustworthy company, but do you know what kind of warranty you are getting?
Finding the right products and services paired with a quality warranty is crucial to the success and longevity of your new HVAC system.
However, what should be included in a high-quality HVAC warranty? What should you look for to identify a quality warranty versus a poor one? Why do you need a high-quality warranty for your new system?
These are just a few questions on your mind before purchasing a new HVAC system, and we’ve got answers.
Wright Home Services has been a trusted HVAC company in San Antonio since 1979 offering services from full system replacements, maintenance checks, duct sealant and repair, and more.
Because we’ve been around for so long, we’ve not only seen every type of warranty on the market but we’ve also offered several types of warranties over the decades.
We now offer a comprehensive warranty for our HVAC system replacements, including 10-year labor, yearly maintenance checks, and more.
While we know what should be included in a high-quality HVAC warranty, we’re here to educate you on all you need to know regarding your HVAC warranty.
This article will outline what to look for in a new HVAC system’s warranty, like what’s included in the details, whether there is a required deductible, registration, and more.
5 Things To Look For In A High-Quality HVAC Warranty
When investing in a new product for your home, understanding the warranty is just as important as knowing what type of product you purchase.
The warranty of your new HVAC system indicates the quality of the product, how long it will last, and the quality of the company you work with.
You want to know not only the warranty the HVAC manufacturer offers but also the labor and service warranty the company you work with offers.
Let’s outline five things to look for in a high-quality HVAC system warranty so you know what to identify in your HVAC warranty and know if the warranty is quality or not.
1. Detailed and robust outline of what is and is not included
One of the first indicators of a high-quality HVAC warranty is how detailed and robust the warranty is.
Think about it. Would you rather have a warranty that outlines and explains what is covered for each part of the system, or a warranty given to you on what looks like an old piece of paper?
Your warranty should explain how long each part of your system is covered, what warrants a replacement, if labor is included, if there are any deductibles, and more.
If you have any questions about what is included in your warranty, the company you work with should be able to answer those questions without hesitation.
You also want to know what is not included in your warranty, which should be in your warranty document under exclusions. This is important to understand so you have realistic expectations for when to submit a warranty claim and what to avoid that would potentially void the warranty.
Having an official warranty document that clearly explains each part of the warranty, from what is included to what’s not included, is the first thing to look at when analyzing an HVAC warranty.
2. The HVAC system warranty is 10 years or more
After looking at the details of your HVAC warranty, what is included, and what is not included, the second major component you must look at is the length of the warranty.
The industry standard for new HVAC system warranties is 10 years minimum. Anything less than 10 years is a red flag. A new HVAC system should last more than 10 years, however (typically 15-20 years before becoming completely inefficient or giving out).
Smaller HVAC system parts generally have a 1-year warranty although larger parts of the system, like the condenser or compressor coils, traditionally have a five or 10-year warranty.
The length of a warranty is essential to identify because it reveals the quality of the product and how long it is made to last. If an HVAC system only comes with a 5-year warranty, this implies the system is only made to last five years.
The last thing you want is to spend thousands of dollars on a new HVAC system only for it to fail in a few short years with no warranty to back it up.
3. Registered equipment following installation
The next thing to define in your new HVAC system’s warranty is that the equipment will be registered by the company you work with following installation.
When a new HVAC system is installed, it must be registered with the manufacturer for the warranty to be valid. If the equipment is not registered (usually within 90 days of installation), then your warranty may be void.
Asking about the registration of your HVAC system is vital to ensuring you receive the proper warranty. If the company does not register the equipment, you may be required to register it yourself.
A high-quality HVAC warranty will include registration by the company so you won’t have to worry about it and can enjoy your new system peacefully and comfortably.
4. Refrigerant is included in the warranty
Another important part of a high-quality HVAC system warranty is the inclusion of refrigerant.
Refrigerant is what actually cools your air when passing through the system. If you have a refrigerant leak and lose all refrigerant in your system, replacing that refrigerant can cost up to $2,000.
If refrigerant is not included in your warranty, this is a cost you will pay out of pocket.
While a refrigerant leak is not common, it can happen. If this does occur, the last thing you want is to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix the leak and replace the refrigerant.
This is why high-quality HVAC companies and warranties include refrigerant for your benefit.
5. A maintenance plan is implemented for the lifetime of your warranty
The final inclusion of a high-quality HVAC system warranty is the guarantee of a maintenance plan during the lifetime of your warranty.
A high-quality HVAC company will offer a robust and detailed maintenance plan for your new system, including when they will service your system, what is included in the servicing, and how often they will perform maintenance.
High-quality HVAC labor warranties will typically include either a check-up once a year or every six months to ensure your system is running properly for both the summer and the winter.
When searching for the right company to work with to replace your HVAC system, be sure to ask about a maintenance plan in the warranty agreement.
If no maintenance plan is in place, you may have to perform system maintenance yourself or continue to pay a company for tune-ups, repairs, and part replacements.
How To Find The Right HVAC Company And Warranty For Your New System
Now that you know the five essential elements of a high-quality HVAC system warranty, you have the right knowledge in place to spot a quality warranty from a faulty one and ensure you receive the proper warranty for your new HVAC system.
Understanding what makes a high-quality warranty and why is crucial to avoid being taken advantage of by a shady company and potentially losing thousands of dollars on future repairs.
To spot a high-quality HVAC warranty, look out for
- A detailed and robust warranty outlined
- A warranty length of at least 10 years
- How the equipment will be registered
- If refrigerant is included
- And what the maintenance plan for your new system is.
Looking for these qualities in your new HVAC system’s warranty will ensure your system is made to last and you can rely on the company to help when you need it.
However, knowing the right things to look for in a warranty is just a piece of the puzzle. Knowing what questions to ask to guarantee a high-quality warranty is just as important.
Check out this article that outlines six questions to ask about your HVAC system’s warranty, including whether it is registered, if refrigerant is included, and more. Then, you understand why each component is necessary for a high-quality HVAC warranty
