The Best Air Conditioning Warranty

Air conditioning is present in nearly 100 million homes in the United States. No matter where you live—in the Pacific Northwest, in Southern Florida—chances are, you want (or need) an air conditioner in your home. Staying cool in the summer months or throughout the year is a priority, and often, a necessity for millions of Americans.

You can do your best to extend the life of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system with routine tune ups, cleanings, and filter changes, but eventually it will be need to be repaired or replaced. Having an air conditioning warranty can help you avoid these high costs.

As a homeowner, you want to ensure all of your home systems and appliances are protected. In our review, we explain the purpose of a warranty, the best air conditioning warranty options, and why working with Choice Home Warranty, our recommended home warranty provider, is the best coverage.

Not only do home warranties repair or replace home systems and appliances, but they take the work out of calling a repairman, give you the peace of mind you desire, and help you save on unexpected costs.

For a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, call 848.256.4658 or enter your zip code.

What is an air conditioning warranty?

Warranties are offered for products, appliances, and home systems. If a product breaks within the first few years of purchase, a warranty plan ensures that it gets repaired or replaced at a minimal cost.

An air conditioning warranty offers reduced repair or replacement costs over a designated time period. Without a warranty, you could end up paying anywhere from $75 to $1,300 in air conditioner repairs. If you have to replace your air conditioning unit, it could cost you an average of $5,414 for the installation.

The good news: air conditioners have a long lifespan. Central air conditioning lasts an average of 15–20 years, sometimes longer. However, repairs and replacements are inevitable, so it’s important to have a warranty plan in place.

Types of warranty plans for air conditioners or HVAC systems

Most HVAC manufacturers offer warranty plans or service contracts for products. The term length and coverage is different across manufacturers. For example, if you buy an air conditioner from American Standard, it comes with a warranty, but what exactly does the manufacturer cover, how long does the warranty last, and what are the contract limitations?

A manufacturer air conditioning warranty includes a specific warranty term and may or may not cover repairs and/or replacements of all parts (such as the evaporator coil, fan motor, compressor, blower motor, etc.). If you have a limited warranty, that means not all parts or products are covered, so take note of the exclusions mentioned in the warranty agreement.

Here are some exclusions in most manufacturer AC warranties:

• Labor costs. Hiring an expert to perform annual routine air conditioner maintenance costs an average of $70–$100 for a one-time visit.
• Installation costs, depending on where you live and what type of unit you purchase. Not all manufacturers offer installation services. If they do, it likely costs extra.
• Repairs or replacements needed because of improper installation, environmental hazards, or failure to provide proper maintenance. Replacements, in general, may not be included.

In addition, you can purchase extended warranty plans. Some manufacturers offer their own extended warranties or recommend specific third-party ones.

Compare air conditioning warranties

For an air conditioning warranty comparison, here are the top air conditioning manufacturers and their AC warranty plans:

The challenge of relying on manufacturer warranties is that not all installation costs are included and not all cooling system units and parts are covered. For example, a Payne air conditioner warranty covers some parts— not all—for a 10-year term.

If you look at the terms for the Goodman air conditioner warranty, the limited Goodman warranty terms do not cover units that are ordered over the phone, by Internet, or through electronic means.

You also have to pay attention to the term length and when it begins. With a Trane AC warranty, for example, the equipment warranty term begins at the initial start-up or date of shipment, whichever is less.

If you don’t pay attention to the terms and conditions, you could end up spending more than you would like. A circuit board replacement can cost you anywhere from $120–$600, so if it’s not covered under your warranty, you could get stuck with a hefty, unexpected repair bill. Check your agreement to see if the warranty coverage includes more than just the basics.

How to register your AC unit or HVAC system

Many manufacturers allow you to register the product to get additional air conditioning warranty benefits.

Here is what you need to do for basic product registration:

• Call the manufacturer or go to the manufacturer’s warranty website and find “product registration.”
• Enter your product information, which often includes your serial number, model number, installation date, etc.
• If you have purchased more than one product through the same manufacturer, you will need to register each product individually.
• You also need to provider your personal information, residential information (what type of home or apartment you live in), and dealer information, if you have purchased an extended warranty through a third party.

Registration is a fairly quick process, as long as you have the information ready. Typically, a serial number is located on the top or back of the product. Depending on how many parts there are, there may be more than one serial number.

Homeowner’s mistake: Voiding your warranty

Without intending to, you can “void” your manufacturer AC warranty agreement. Here are some mistakes to avoid:

• Improper installation. If you don’t install your unit or system correctly, or if you don’t have a licensed professional install the system, then the manufacturer will not cover any repairs or replacements, regardless of what’s “covered” in the warranty agreement.
• Not purchasing and using the manufacturer’s replacement parts. It may be more affordable to buy another manufacturer’s part, but you can’t guarantee that it will work properly with the system or unit.
• Not properly maintaining your unit. You might forget to replace filters, or you might not want to pay the extra to bring in an expert. If you don’t maintain the unit or system, then you may not be able to enjoy the benefits of a warranty. When you hire a contractor, save the paperwork should the manufacturer question the upkeep.

Before buying an HVAC system, ask to see the manufacturer’s HVAC labor warranty template. Read the terms and make sure you are aware of what you’re buying, since an HVAC is a long-term investment.

Costs of repairing and replacing heating and cooling systems

HVAC systems are pricey, but being comfortable in your home is a priority for many homeowners. If your AC unit breaks in the hot months, you’ll want a quick fix. If your system is under warranty, you’ll need to contact both the manufacturer and an expect technician to fix the problem. Those costs can add up quickly.

Check out some of the most common heating and air conditioner repair costs (based on the national average):

• $225–$1,600 to fix a refrigerant leak detection
• $100–$300 to replace a condensing unit fan motor
• $160–$400 for an AC refrigerant recharge
• $1,350–$1,800 to replace a home air compressor
• $60–$250 to repair a thermostat
• $90–$250 to replace a condensate pump
• Up to $1,200 to replace a heat exchanger

As you can see, some of these repairs costs are steep, especially if one or all of these parts aren’t included in your warranty. This is why we recommend purchasing a home warranty plan, which covers most of the cost and comes with many additional benefits. A home warranty will cover parts and labor—all you’re paying is your monthly fee and a small service fee.

Manufacturer warranty vs. home warranty plan

Instead of relying on your manufacturer warranty—which doesn’t cover everything and may not last as long as your AC system does—you can purchase a home warranty plan to cover your system, in addition to many other home appliances and home systems.

You also get the option of purchasing extended warranties through the manufacturer. An air conditioner extended warranty provides coverage for repairs from wear and tear, but it still only covers that one system. If you wanted to cover more than one system with extended warranties, you’ll end up with different contracts for each, making it difficult to stay organized. Home warranties include appliances and systems throughout your entire house under just one plan and allow you to work with just one provider if something breaks down.

Air conditioner insurance vs. home warranty plan

When you buy or own a home, you normally buy homeowners insurance to protect your home appliances and systems in the case of fires, natural disasters, floods, or theft. Often, you can buy air conditioner insurance as an add-on to your homeowners insurance, if it’s not already included.

The problem: AC insurance does not actually cover repairs or replacements of AC units or systems should they simply falter, break, or stop working due to everyday wear and tear. That’s where home warranty plans come in.

Home warranty plans are service plans offered by home warranty companies. They cover repairs and replacements of major systems and appliances, knowing that eventually, the system or appliance will break from everyday use.

For peace of mind and extended protection, you may want to invest in both homeowners insurance and a home warranty plan. This protects your home and your budget, should anything go wrong.

Technicians and small business owners who work in the heating, ventilation, and cooling construction industry are required to have HVAC insurance. Air conditioning insurance rates vary, but commercial general liability costs between $350 and $1,500. When hiring a professional to install your air conditioner, make sure they have insurance.

Home warranty companies that provide air conditioner coverage

Air conditioning coverage through a home warranty plan

Home warranty plans cover everything from major home systems such as water heaters, electrical, and air conditioning, all the way to home appliances such as dishwashers, garbage disposals, and garage door openers.

Our recommended provider, Choice Home Warranty, offers two different plans, plus additional coverage options.* Read our complete CHW review for additional details.

Choice Home Warranty: Best for air conditioning warranty

When it comes to central air conditioning protection, what is actually covered under a home warranty plan? And how long does the warranty last? Typically, a home warranty plan offers a one-year term, which can be extended year after year.

If you want the best home warranty for HVAC, we recommend Choice Home Warranty. With the Total Plan, you will get repairs and replacements for just the cost of a service call fee (typically $75). Having a home warranty plan for your HVAC can actually save you hundreds of dollars and ensure that your unit meets the Department of Energy requirements. If it does not, you may be eligible for an upgrade.

If your HVAC unit is below the minimum efficiency standard of 13 SEER, for instance, your equipment may be upgraded to the 13 SEER standard. This will make the system more efficient and save you more money in the long-term.

If service work performed under the contract should fail, Choice Home Warranty will make the necessary repairs without an additional trade service call fee for a period of 90 days of the home service on parts and 30 days on labor.

There are dozens of home warranty providers, and each offers a wide range of plans and coverage options. After conducting research on various home warranty providers, House Method found that Choice Home Warranty offers many advantages.

Here are the biggest pros:

• You get your first month free when you sign up for a single payment annual home warranty plan.
• Plans starts at approximately $1 per day.
• A team of pre-screened and local expert technicians repair or replace your appliances and systems.
• Contracts are available for single-family homes, multiple units, condos, mobile homes, and manufactured homes.
• You can always expect professional, 24/7 customer service.

To learn more about Choice Home Warranty plans and get a free quote, call 848.256.4658 or provide your zip code here.

*Terms and conditions apply. Review complete limits of liability and any exclusions. CHW offers service contracts which are not warranties.
**See policy for specifics on response times.
***CHW reserves the right to offer cash back in lieu of repair or replacement in the amount of CHW’s actual cost (which at times may be less than retail) to repair or replace any covered system, component or appliance.
****In the event a claim is denied, and a customer seeks to have Us review that denial, We have the right to request routine maintenance records in reviewing its decision.

Interview with Randy Smith, Franchise Consultant of Aire Serv, a Neighborly company