Having a new air conditioner installed is not an inexpensive home improvement. However, when the time comes, it is critical to understand exactly what is covered in an air conditioning warranty to ensure you are making a quality purchase that will help keep the interior air of your home comfortable year-round.
The Original Warranty
When purchasing an A/C system manufactured by a reputable company, it most likely is installed with an extensive warranty. The manufacturers of most air-conditioning and heating units will provide coverage on the A/C compressor, and associated parts of the unit’s critical high-quality equipment, for upwards of 10 years with additional two years coverage on labor. Your licensed, A/C installer will sometimes offer an extended warranty on their labor.
The Coverage
It is always important to fully comprehend the warranty before ever purchasing a new central air conditioner. Offered warranties between manufacturers can vary greatly. Most likely, reputable manufacturers offer warranties that cover certain parts of the A/C unit for one specific timeframe, and other parts on a different length of time.
For the most part, manufacturers usually include coverage on the compressor, condenser, connecting tubing, the evaporator, and refrigerant charge. Usually, the coverage also includes the labor necessary for replacement or repair.
Service Maintenance Plans
To keep your air conditioning system running efficiently, it should be maintained on a routine schedule. Having a service maintenance plan can help keep repair costs down. The routine maintenance plan will allow an HVAC professional to perform scheduled inspections of your system annually or semi-annually. By assessing, inspecting and evaluating the operational functions of the unit, the professional can determine when a small problem arises, to perform a minimal repair instead of a costly one.
After Warranty Expiration
There are extended warranties available to handle A/C repair issues once the original warranty has expired. The value of any available extended warranty on an air-conditioning unit is dependent on its coverage. To be a worthwhile investment, the unit would likely need to break within a pre-determined time, after the original warranty has expired, a before the expiration of the extended warranty. Sometimes, air-conditioning units that are older than 10 years and experience mechanical issues are less likely to have the energy efficiency of newer models, even when operating properly.
It is critical to always use a licensed, authorized service professional to perform all the work on your home’s HVAC system. Warranties can be voided when performed by any non-authorized technician.
