There are NO guarantees in life... or HVAC... but a warranty comes pretty darn close!
Air conditioning systems in the Carolinas get a serious workout in the Summer, especially with temperatures hitting triple digits. Such a demanding workload could cause ANY air conditioning system to break down.
If you've ever had to pay for a heating or air conditioning repair, you know it can get pretty pricey. Whether you purchased a new construction home or replaced your existing heating and air conditioning system, understanding your warranty is CRITICAL to hanging on to your CA$H!
PARTS WARRANTY
STANDARD - The equipment manufacturer (i.e. Carrier, Lennox, Goodman, Trane) of your heating and air conditioning equipment will stand behind their product with limited parts coverage on their equipment. In most cases, this will be five years from the effective start date (new construction closing or new system install date).
OPTIONAL EXTENDED - Most manufacturers will extend your parts coverage from five years to ten years for free! All that you have to do is register your equipment with them. It takes minimal time and effort and is potentially worth thousands of dollars in savings.
KEEP IN MIND:
Make sure to register ALL components of your system. Not sure how many pieces of equipment that you have? Check out What's Your Type?
Registration must be completed within a limited timeframe determined by the manufacturer (usually 60-90 days). Unfortunately, if you miss this deadline, there's nothing we can do to extend it - no matter how much we like you.
A common misconception about HVAC repairs is that a part replaced under warranty should be no-charge to the homeowner. The manufacturers' warranty ONLY covers the part itself.
LABOR WARRANTY
STANDARD - North Carolina provides, as a matter of law (Chapter 87, Article 2), an implied labor warranty to cover any defects in installation for a period of at least one year. The implied warranty does not require any specific language in the contract to be effective and may co-exist with a longer written, or expressed warranty.
OPTIONAL EXTENDED - Your HVAC contractor can provide you with coverage options for extending your labor coverage through the manufacturer or a third party. Five to ten years of coverage could cost as little as $300-1,000 depending on your system type.
HOW TO NOT VOID YOUR HVAC WARRANTY
An innocent mistake could void your heating and air conditioning warranty. You do NOT want to be that guy!
Installation or repairs performed by an unlicensed contractor
using replacement parts not approved by the manufacturer
lack of routine maintenance on your HVAC system
failure to transfer an existing warranty upon the purchase of an existing home
forgetting to register your equipment with the manufacturer
not extending your coverage before the eligibility period expires
An HVAC warranty should give you confidence that the manufacturer and contractor have your back if something goes wrong with their product and/or workmanship. The BEST way to avoid unexpected repair costs is by knowing what's covered and taking advantage of the optional coverages available to you! If you need assistance, feel free to reach out! The friendly representatives of Helms Heating & Air Conditioning, of Indian Trail, can:
inform you of existing warranty coverage
help you register your new equipment
quote your options for extended coverages