5 Best Home Warranty Companies for HVAC Coverage (2023)

Good air quality, proper interior temperature control, and general ventilation play an essential role in leading a comfortable and healthy home life. Each of these functions is regulated by your HVAC system — short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Within these three interrelated home systems are many smaller, more complex components that require regular tune-ups to stay in working condition.

Here are our top picks for HVAC coverage.

The Best Home Warranty for HVAC Coverage in 2023

House Method’s team of home warranty experts evaluated 40+ home warranty plans nationwide, specifically scouting companies with versatile HVAC maintenance coverage, accessible customer service, and overall positive feedback from current policyholders.

Our final line-up for the best home warranty companies for HVAC are:

1. Choice Home Warranty — Best overall for HVAC coverage
2. Select Home Warranty — Most cost-effective
3. American Home Shield — Best customizable plans
4. The Home Service Club — Quickest service
5. Liberty Home Guard — Most trustworthy

Choice Home Warranty – Best Overall for HVAC Coverage

We Chose Choice Home Warranty

Currently protecting the systems and appliances of over 1.6 million homes across the U.S., Choice Home Warranty (CHW) is our first pick for premier home warranty HVAC coverage. This provider keeps its policy breakdown simple by splitting its standard coverage into two plan levels — the Basic Plan and the Total Plan.

Choice Home Warranty HVAC Coverage

While both the Basic Plan and Total Plan offer coverage for household heating systems and ductwork, only the Total Plan includes air conditioning system coverage. Choice Home Warranty supports emergency services for HVAC breakdowns outside of regular business hours and offers a generous coverage cap of $3,000 per year for heating and cooling maintenance (via the Total Plan).

With the Total Plan, CHW will cover heat pumps, floor furnaces, electric baseboards, hot water circulating heat, air ducts, and more. Items like chimneys, wood stoves, and insulation are not covered within Choice’s HVAC category.

Choice Home Warranty Plans and Pricing

• The Basic Plan ($45 per month / $560 per year): Covers 14 home systems and appliances, including heating systems, ductwork, electrical systems, ceiling fans, hot water heaters, and more.
• The Total Plan ($53.33 per month / $660 per year): Covers 18 items including heating systems, air conditioning, ductwork, refrigerators, clothes washers/dryers, etc.
• Optional Add-Ons ($40-$180 per year): Offers coverage for nine optional add-on items, including central vacuums, well and sump pumps, septic systems, septic tank pumping, stand-alone freezers, second refrigerators, limited roof leaks, and pools/spas.
• Service Fee: $85 or the actual cost of the repair, whichever costs less.

Fill out this form or call 929-400-6164 to get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty.

Read our full Choice Home Warranty review for more.

Select Home Warranty – Most Cost Effective

We Chose Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty (SHW) is an ideal service provider if you’re searching for a budget-friendly home warranty for HVAC systems coverage. This company is popular for its unique seasonal discounts and a lower-than-average service call fee of just $60. 

Select Home Warranty HVAC Coverage

Select Home Warranty offers three different standard plan levels — Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. HVAC coverage begins at the Gold level, which spans air conditioning, ductwork, and heating systems with a $2,000 annual maximum on HVAC-related repairs and replacements.

Exclusion-wise, some of what Select won’t cover includes solar or geothermal heating systems, air purifiers, humidifiers/dehumidifiers, and portable air conditioning units.

Be aware that some of Select’s systems plan policy limits tend to be lower than those of competing providers. When the policy limits are lower, the chances of the plan covering the costs of an expensive HVAC repair are quite a bit less.

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

• The Bronze Care Plan ($58 per month / $630 per year): Covers a total of eight appliances, specifically refrigerators, built-in microwaves, cooktops, stoves/ovens/ranges, garbage disposals, dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers.
• The Gold Care Plan ($57.67 per month / $630 per year): Covers six home systems, including heating systems, cooling systems, ductwork, electrical systems, plumbing systems, and water heaters.
• The Platinum Care Plan ($62.08 per month / $699.99 per year): Covers all the previously mentioned home systems and appliances plus ceiling fans, plumbing stoppages, and garage door openers.
• Optional Add-Ons ($39.99- $99.95 per year): Offers coverage for central vacuums, light fixtures/switches/outlets, second refrigerators, stand-alone freezers, built-in ice makers, sprinkler systems, well/sump pumps, septic systems, pools/spas, and roof leaks.
• Service fee: $60, which is well below the industry average.

Get a free quote from Select Home Warranty or call 888-370-3953. Read our full Select Home Warranty review for more details.

American Home Shield – Most Customizable

Founded in 1971, American Home Shield (AHS) is often recognized as the torch-bearer of the home warranty industry. With AHS, you’ll have exclusive access to a pre-screened network of top HVAC contractors and repair personnel in your area. 

American Home Shield’s standard home warranty plans are available in three coverage options — a systems plan and two catch-all combo plans that offer appliance and system coverage at different depths. 

American Home Shield HVAC Coverage

Full-spectrum HVAC coverage is included in all three policy tiers and doesn’t include a dollar limit for repairs or replacements. American Home Shield’s most comprehensive plan level, Shield Platinum, also includes one free pre-season HVAC tune-up per year and unlimited A/C refrigerant.

Unlike some other leading providers, AHS includes geothermal components, wall air conditioners, room heaters, and cable heat in its HVAC coverage terms. AHS will cover up to $1,500 per contract term for approved HVAC-related repairs on geothermal HVAC systems.

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

• ShieldSilver ($29.27- $44.27 per month / $347.88 – $527.88 per year): Covers 19 systems, including heating, cooling, ductwork, attic fans, bathroom exhaust fans, ceiling fans, whole-house fans, electrical systems.
• ShieldGold ($39.27 – $54.27 per month / $467.88 – $647.88 per year): Covers 23 items, namely kitchen and laundry appliances like ranges/cooktops, dishwashers, instant hot/cold water dispensers, clothes washers, and dryers, etc.
• ShieldPlatinum ($59.27 – $74.27 per month / $711.88 – $891.88 per year): Combines 27 of the above appliances and systems plus automatic roof leak coverage.
• Optional Add-Ons: Offers four riders for septic/well pumps, roof leak repairs, pools/spas, and coverage for guest units under 750 square feet in size.
• Service Fee: $75, $100, or $125.

Get a free quote online from American Home Shield or call 888-365-2839.

To learn more about AHS, read our American Home Shield review.

The Home Service Club – Quickest Coverage

Why We Chose The Home Service Club

Founded in 2008, The Home Service Club (HSC) is an ideal home warranty option for homeowners who recently purchased a fixer-upper, as HSC won’t deny coverage for older appliances or home systems. 

The Home Service Club offers two different plan types — Standard and Comprehensive. By enrolling in the Standard Coverage Plan, you’ll be covered for central air conditioning and heating, but not ductwork. The Comprehensive Plan, however, includes heating, cooling, and ductwork.

The Home Service Club HVAC Coverage

HSC has a long list of covered HVAC items for all systems under a five-ton capacity. Still, like every home warranty provider, it won’t cover everything. Things like fireplaces, built-in heat lamps, A/C window units, water-damaged ductwork, and insulation aren’t coverable.

HSC has quick coverage with a brief 10-day waiting period — two weeks shorter than competing providers — for HVAC system protection. It will pay up to $2,000 per year for access, diagnosis, repairs, and replacements of covered HVAC components.

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

• Standard Coverage Plan ($50 per month / $650 per year): Covers 18 systems and appliances, including air conditioning, heating systems, central vacuums, electrical systems, built-in food centers, refrigerators, freestanding ice-makers, etc.
• Comprehensive Coverage Plan ($62.90 per month / $800 per year): Covers 33 systems and appliances plus ductwork, attic fans, ceiling fans, whole-house fans, pest control, smoke detectors, plumbing stoppages, and more.
• Optional Add-Ons ($3.33 to $16.66 per month): Offers additional coverage for roof leaks, water/sewer/gas/power lines, sewage ejector pumps, well pumps, sprinkler irrigation systems, pools and spas, jetted bathtubs, water softener, dual-compressor refrigerators, and freestanding freezers.
• Service Fee: $60, $75, or $95.

Get a free quote online from The Home Service Club, or call 800-842-9334.

Continue reading about HSC in our complete The Home Service Club review. 

Liberty Home Guard – Most Trustworthy

Why We Chose Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) maintains a credible reputation and high scores with the Better Business Bureau, namely an accredited A rating and 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 900 customer reviews.*

With live 24/7 customer service, if you go with Liberty Home Guard for HVAC coverage, you’ll have no issue submitting a claim, getting in touch with a representative, or making adjustments to your policy.

Liberty Home Guard HVAC Coverage

Customers will need to purchase the Systems Guard or Total Home Guard package for HVAC coverage. Liberty Home Guard has a coverage limit of up to $2,000 for diagnosis, repair, and replacement per covered HVAC item.

Liberty Home Guard’s HVAC coverage excludes geothermal and solar heating systems, however its policies cover ducted central and wall air conditioning systems that have up to a 5-ton capacity. All HVAC maintenance is subject to a two-month workmanship guarantee for all LHG-sponsored repairs and replacements.

Plans, Cost, and Coverage

• Appliance Guard ($70 per month / $700 per year): Covers 12 home appliances, including ceiling fans, cooktop exhausts, garbage disposals, dishwashers, clothes washers/dryers, garage door openers, built-in microwaves, ovens, refrigerators, and ice makers.
• Systems Guard ($74.99 per month / $750 per year): Covers six major home systems, including air conditioning, heating, ductwork, plumbing, electrical, and water heaters.
• Total Home Guard ($79.99 per month / $799.99 per year): Combo plan of the two above packages, covering a total of 20 appliances and home systems.
• Optional Add-Ons ($49.99-$299.99 per year): Offers 41 additional items, including central vacuum, pest control, swamp coolers, generators, carpet cleaning, and much more.
• Service Fee: $75.

Get a free online quote from Liberty Home Guard, or call 866-451-2281.

Continue reading about LHG in our Liberty Home Guard review.

What To Look for in HVAC Coverage

As one of the most expensive items in the home to repair or replace, finding quality HVAC coverage through a home warranty can easily save you thousands of dollars when something stops working properly. Here are some key points to consider to ensure you’re getting the most out of your home warranty:

• Generous coverage limits: When reviewing the heating and cooling clauses in any provider’s sample contract, pay close attention to any per-item coverage limits. Unless a provider operates under an aggregate annual coverage limit, you’ll want to prioritize companies that offer at least $3,000 per year in HVAC coverage.
• Unique add-ons: Some providers, like Liberty Home Guard, offer one-of-a-kind add-ons for maximizing your systems coverage.
• Workmanship warranties: Nearly all reputable home warranty companies back their work with either a 30, 60, or 90+ day workmanship guarantee. This ensures that if your HVAC system breaks down a second time within a certain time period following a covered repair, you won’t have to pay a recurring service fee for a contractor to come back out. Some providers may have different warranties when it comes to labor and parts, so be cognizant of the specifics when reading your contract.

What Is a Home Warranty for HVAC and Who Needs One?

A home warranty is a service contract that covers any necessary repairs or replacements of your home’s major appliances and systems as they endure wear and tear over time from regular use.

Nearly all home warranty companies offer HVAC coverage as a standard item, though providers sometimes reserve ductwork for the more comprehensive levels of their coverage. A home warranty for air conditioners is occasionally offered separately as an optional add-on, but those instances are few and far between.

Any home with an HVAC unit will benefit from a home warranty that covers HVAC. Even homes without traditional central air conditioning or heating can benefit from HVAC coverage through a home warranty. 

We highly recommend HVAC system coverage for homeowners living in states with harsh seasonal climates. During peak summer temperatures in states like Florida, Hawaii, Texas, or California, a dead air conditioning system could be unbearably inconvenient and a safety hazard. HVAC coverage is also wise for those in states like Alaska, Maine, or New York, where heating is an essential need during bitterly cold winters.

Will a Home Warranty Replace Your HVAC?

So long as the total replacement cost remains within your policy’s annual coverage limit for HVAC parts and components, a home warranty may cover the cost for a system replacement. Still, the average cost of replacing a full HVAC system ranges between $3,500 and $10,000. Given that a standard home warranty typically only includes up to $3,000 in HVAC coverage per year, it’s likely that you’ll still need to pay a portion of the cost out of pocket.

Common Home Warranty HVAC Coverages

Depending on what type of plan you have, the services and appliances covered will vary. Typical HVAC inclusions across top-rated providers include:

• Central, ducted, split, mini-split, electric, and package A/C units
• Forced air systems
• Heat pumps
• Wall-mounted units
• Thermostats
• Ducts (from attachment point to grill)

HVAC Coverage Exclusions

Limitations on covered HVAC items are relatively consistent between different home warranty companies. Still, it’s crucial to study the fine print of any home warranty plan that piques your interest to guarantee you know what you’re paying for.

Most home warranty HVAC coverage explicitly excludes:

• Portable A/C and heating units; window units
• Chimneys, fireplaces, flues, and wood/pellet stoves
• Air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers
• Solar heating systems
• Water towers
• Malfunctions that aren’t due to normal wear and tear
• Any damage caused by inclement weather or other unexpected perils
• Re-installation/modification costs
• Replacement costs for elective upgrades

Final Thoughts: What is the Best Home Warranty for HVAC?

The best way to decide if a home warranty is right for you is to consider the annual cost of basic home warranty coverage relative to how much you’ll have to shell out for a potential appliance or home system breakdown.

Because HVAC coverage is usually the main facet of even the most bare-boned policies, you won’t have to go all out to protect your home’s heating, cooling, and ventilation. And given that deterioration of your everyday appliances and systems is inevitable, with a home warranty, you’ll benefit from peace of mind knowing that unexpected issues around your home will never go unfixed. Our experts recommend Choice Home Warranty as the top provider of HVAC protection, but it would be best to get quotes from 2-3 companies and compare them before choosing one.

House Method Home Warranty Rating and Reviews Methodology

At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader.

To create this rating system, our team spent hours researching over 60 companies, analyzing 2500+ key data points, getting the thoughts and opinions of 1000+ homeowners, and speaking to home warranty company representatives directly. We also dug into the fine print on each company’s service agreement to ensure no detail was left out.

We developed an objective home warranty review and rating methodology to score each home warranty company based on several criteria. We used a five-point scale with a point index ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. The minimum awardable value is 0.0, and the maximum is 1.00. These numeric points are translated into star ratings, using whole star increments between one and five.

Here is a quick breakdown of our five core scoring categories:

• Coverage (0.4): This category evaluates the scope of protection offered by a home warranty provider. We clearly distinguished between limited or broad coverage to help homeowners identify their own home protection needs. We also factor in claim turnaround times, average waiting period lengths, plan types, annual coverage limits, policy exclusions, etc.
• Cost (0.3): This category considers what home warranty companies charge homeowners monthly, annually, and out of pocket. We urge homeowners also to consider the cost-to-value ratio of a home warranty plan.
• Transparency and Trustworthiness (0.15): This category evaluates home warranty providers based on pending or past legal action, hidden fees, lack of information readily available on the website, exclusions, and more. We consider how upfront a company is to its potential policyholders, which says a lot about its products and services.
• Customer Support and Satisfaction (.09): This category evaluates the efficacy of a home warranty company’s effort to provide supportive guidance to inquiring customers and how policyholders are satisfied with the assistance they receive.
• Customization (.06): This category evaluates the ability of homeowners to adjust and choose their policy details, such as pricing variations, optional add-ons, and the number of plans available.

*Better Business Bureau ratings are accurate as of November 2022.

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