In this article…
- 6 Questions To Ask About HVAC System Warranties: Labor, Refrigerant, And More
- Ensuring You Receive A High-Quality HVAC Warranty And Work With A Trustworthy Company
Before making the hefty investment of replacing your entire HVAC system, ensuring you’ll receive a high-quality warranty is crucial.
Your new system not only needs to heat and cool your home properly, but it needs to last. This is why you need a warranty that ensures your new system is made to last and is installed correctly.
When looking at an HVAC company’s warranty for a full system replacement, you must understand all the components, including what’s covered, how long the warranty lasts, and any exclusions.
Knowing what constitutes a high-quality warranty and what questions to ask is your first line of defense against a faulty company trying to take advantage of you.
As a trusted San Antonio HVAC service company since 1979, Wright Home Services has been around long enough to see every type of warranty, from the best of the best…to the worst of the worst.
On top of the product manufacturer warranty, we offer a robust, complete labor warranty for 10 years with two yearly maintenance visits, no deductible payments, and refrigerant when needed.
Now, we understand that combing through warranty paperwork isn’t the most fun way to spend your time. This is why we’re here to make it easier for you and provide you with all the information you need to make a well-informed decision on who you work with for your HVAC needs.
This article will detail six questions to ask about HVAC warranties so you can ask the right questions (and know when you’re getting the right answers) and find the right company to work with for your needs.
6 Questions To Ask About HVAC Warranties: Labor, Refrigerant, And More
Any investment you make in your home is a big one. From painting the living room to repairing a toilet to replacing your entire HVAC system, you want to ensure your new investment will last.
This is where your warranty comes in.
The warranty of any product or service is in place to protect the integrity of the product and the installation and labor to ensure your products will last in your home.
To ensure you receive a quality warranty on your new HVAC system, there are several questions to ask your potential service company which we will cover below.
1. How long is the warranty for the HVAC system, and what is included?
The first question you need answered about your HVAC system’s warranty is how long the warranty is valid and all that is included.
Are certain part replacements or services excluded? When does the warranty term start and expire? How long is the warranty good for?
Knowing the warranty term and all it includes is the first indication of a high or low-quality warranty.
Why is this question important to ask?
The length and inclusions of a warranty reveal the quality of the product and workmanship. The standard warranty length of a full HVAC system should be no less than 10 years.
A company that presents a warranty for a full system that is less than 10 years is a red flag. This would indicate a low-quality system that isn’t made to last even 10 years when a new HVAC system should last well over 10 years.
2. Is labor included in my HVAC warranty, or is there an additional charge?
One component of the warranty you must clarify is if there is a labor charge when service is needed.
Imagine if your system has numerous manufacturing defects that come to light over the 10 years your warranty is valid. If you keep having to call the HVAC company to come and fix the issue, you end up racking up a lot of service charges over time.
Finding a warranty with labor included not only shows integrity in the company you work with but also saves you money in service charges in the future.
Why is this question important?
Asking if labor is included in your warranty helps you avoid being blindsided by a low-quality company trying to penny and dime any future charges from you.
By asking this question, you clarify if you will incur any potential charges in the future and understand what you’re getting into.
3. What is my deductible on my HVAC warranty?
On top of asking about any labor charges in your warranty, you also want to know if there is any deductible payment you are expected to pay for any repairs or replacement parts.
A deductible on your warranty is a flat fee for either labor services or parts needed if anything breaks. This could be another charge you may incur when making a warranty call in the future.
Why is this question important?
Like with asking about labor charges, knowing whether your warranty requires a deductible or not will ensure you know if you will have to pay anything additional if you need to make a warranty claim or require a service in the future.
4. Is there an HVAC maintenance plan or agreement?
Before your new HVAC system is installed, knowing whether the company has included a maintenance plan or agreement in the warranty is crucial.
Caring for your HVAC system is just like caring for your car. Your car requires yearly oil changes, routine check-ups, and maintenance. Your HVAC system needs the same TLC to ensure it continues performing and lasts in your home.
Most high-quality HVAC companies will include a yearly maintenance check in their warranty to check for any damage, provide routine cleaning, and ensure the system is working efficiently.
Why is this question important to ask?
If no maintenance agreement is outlined in your warranty, whether required by the company or the homeowner, the biggest risk is voiding your warranty.
If the service company doesn’t perform any maintenance over the years and you aren’t aware of the maintenance you should perform, this could create a case of neglect, causing your warranty to be voided for any repairs needed.
You need to know whether the company you work with will provide maintenance or if you are expected to upkeep your system.
5. Will you register my HVAC equipment, or do I have to do that?
Did you know that once your new HVAC system is installed it must be registered with the manufacturer in order to receive the appropriate warranty?
Before signing any contracts for a new HVAC system, you must ask how the equipment will be registered, although a high-quality company will ensure your system is registered in time for you to receive your warranty.
Typically, equipment must be registered within 90 days of the initial installation.
Why is this question important to ask?
If you do not ask about registering your equipment and an HVAC company does not tell you, you risk having unregistered equipment and a voided warranty.
While most companies will register your equipment for you, it is important you clarify with the company you work with whether you have to register your equipment or not. Otherwise, your warranty will most likely be voided.
6. Is refrigerant included in my HVAC warranty?
The final question you must ask about your new HVAC system’s warranty is if refrigerant is included.
Refrigerant is what cools and conditions your air when temperatures are warm. If a refrigerant leak occurs, you’ll notice your AC not cooling your home, higher energy bills, and potentially a noisy system.
Why is this question important to ask?
Asking if refrigerant is included in your HVAC warranty is essential because refrigerant is an expensive product.
If your system springs a refrigerant leak, it could cost you anywhere from $500 – $2,000. This one-time cost could equal the same amount as added labor warranties or yearly HVAC service subscriptions.
Ensuring You Receive A High-Quality HVAC Warranty And Work With A Trustworthy HVAC Company
Now that you know six critical questions to ask about your HVAC warranty and why they are important to ask, you have a thorough understanding of what must be included in your new HVAC system’s warranty and can avoid working with a low-quality company.
Asking a prospective HVAC company about their warranties…
- Length and inclusions
- Labor charges
- Deductibles
- Maintenance agreements
- System registration
- And refrigerant
will ensure you understand the quality of the warranty, what is all included, and if it is the right warranty for you.
Perhaps one of the largest parts of receiving a high-quality HVAC warranty is working with a high-quality HVAC company.
But, how do you find a trustworthy company? What should you look for to find the proper company for your project?
