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There are a few different types of warranties that you can get for HVAC
In this section, you can read what these specific warranties mean for you as a customer.
This section is a broad overview of what your warranties will not cover. Be sure to check it out to see if you have coverage.
A manufacturer's warranty is a warranty directly from the manufacturer of the equipment.
A replacement warranty is a warranty directly from the manufacturer of the equipment.*
A labor warranty is a warranty on the craftsmanship of the equipment installed.
This is a manufacturer warranty for parts replacement.
A manufacturer’s warranty covers the parts and components of your HVAC system for a specific period of time set by the equipment manufacturer. For most major HVAC brands, the standard coverage is a 5-year limited warranty. However, this coverage is often extended to a 10-year limited warranty when the system is installed by a licensed contractor and the equipment is properly registered with the manufacturer within the required timeframe.
This warranty applies to defects in parts or components of the system. If a covered part fails due to a manufacturing defect during the warranty period, the manufacturer will typically provide a replacement part at no cost.
It is important to understand that manufacturer warranties usually cover the part itself only. Costs associated with diagnostics, labor, refrigerant, or additional materials required for the repair are typically not included unless a separate labor warranty is provided.
Proper installation, registration, and routine maintenance are essential to keeping the manufacturer’s warranty valid.
A replacement warranty provides additional protection if a major component of your HVAC system fails early in its life. Many manufacturers offer this type of warranty for a limited period—most commonly within the first 5 years after installation.
If a critical component such as the compressor, evaporator coil, or condenser coil fails during the replacement warranty period due to a manufacturer defect, the manufacturer may replace the entire outdoor unit or system rather than just the failed part.
This type of warranty offers homeowners added peace of mind because it avoids major repairs early in the system’s lifespan. Instead of replacing a single costly component, the customer may receive a brand-new unit replacement under the manufacturer’s warranty terms.
As with other warranties, proper installation, product registration, and routine maintenance are typically required for the replacement warranty to remain valid.
A labor warranty is provided by your HVAC contractor and covers the technician’s time required to diagnose and repair issues related to parts or equipment installed by that company. If a covered component fails during the labor warranty period, the company will return to diagnose and repair the issue without charging labor costs, as long as the problem is related to the work or parts they originally installed.
Labor warranties can vary widely depending on the type of repair or installation performed. For smaller repairs, labor warranties may range from 3 months to 1 year, while full system installations may include longer labor coverage ranging from 1 year up to 10–12 years, depending on the system and warranty options selected.
For certain repairs, warranty length may also depend on whether proper system diagnostics are performed. For example, testing factors such as static pressure and airflow helps ensure the system is operating within manufacturer specifications and reduces the likelihood of repeat failures. When full diagnostic testing is completed, companies may be able to offer longer labor warranty coverage on replacement parts.
Labor warranties provide homeowners with additional peace of mind by helping protect them from unexpected service costs if a repair related to the original work becomes necessary during the covered period.
A parts warranty covers individual components of your HVAC system that may fail due to a manufacturer defect. Most replacement parts include a limited warranty provided by the manufacturer, though the length of coverage varies depending on the specific part and manufacturer.
If a covered part fails during the warranty period due to a defect in manufacturing, the manufacturer will typically provide a replacement part at no cost. However, this warranty generally applies only to the part itself and does not usually include labor costs required to diagnose or install the replacement part unless a separate labor warranty is in place.
Parts warranty coverage can vary widely. Some smaller components may carry shorter warranty periods, while larger or more critical parts may include longer coverage depending on the manufacturer’s policy.
Understanding the parts warranty helps homeowners know what components may be replaced under manufacturer coverage and what additional protections, such as labor warranties, may still apply.
Your HVAC contractor can typically help you process a manufacturer warranty claim by locating your system using the unit’s model and serial number. These numbers allow the contractor to verify the equipment’s warranty status and determine whether the failed component is covered.
If a part is determined to be under warranty, the contractor will diagnose the failure, order the replacement part from the manufacturer, and schedule the installation once the part arrives.
It is important to understand that warranty repairs may take some time to complete. The process usually involves diagnosing the issue, ordering the correct part, waiting for it to ship from the manufacturer or distributor, and then scheduling the repair. Because of this process, warranty repairs are not always an immediate same-day turnaround
Labor warranties are specific to the HVAC company that performed the installation or repair. They do not transfer from one company to another, meaning the warranty is only valid through the contractor who originally provided the work.
If an issue arises with a part or component that was installed by that company during the labor warranty period, you should contact that same HVAC company to schedule service. The company will diagnose the issue and, if it is related to the covered work, the labor required to repair or replace the component will typically be covered under the warranty terms.
Because labor warranties are contractor-provided guarantees, coverage, response times, and warranty length may vary depending on the company’s policies and the specific repair or installation performed.
Your HVAC contractor can often assist with processing parts or component warranties by locating the part through its serial number. Many HVAC components are serialized, which allows the manufacturer to verify the warranty coverage and determine whether the part qualifies for replacement.
If the component does not have a serial number, the manufacturer may require the original invoice or proof of purchase in order to verify the warranty and process the claim.
Once the warranty is confirmed, the contractor will typically order the replacement part through the manufacturer or distributor and schedule installation after it arrives. As with other manufacturer warranties, the process may require time for verification, ordering, shipping, and installation before the repair can be completed.
To maintain a manufacturer’s warranty, homeowners are expected to properly maintain their HVAC system, including regularly changing air filters and scheduling routine maintenance. This is similar to maintaining a vehicle—failure to properly maintain the system can result in warranty claims being denied.
Manufacturer warranties generally do not cover damage caused by external factors or misuse. This includes damage from weather events, fallen trees or debris, accidents, improper use of the system, animals, insects, or other conditions outside of normal operation.
In addition, manufacturer warranties typically do not cover refrigerant, labor costs, diagnostic fees, or warranty processing fees associated with replacing a defective part. The warranty usually applies only to the replacement of the defective component itself, unless additional coverage—such as a labor warranty—has been provided.
Replacement warranties do not cover failures caused by misuse, improper care, or lack of maintenance. Issues such as system breakdowns caused by restricted airflow (for example, dirty filters or blocked ducts) or other preventable conditions are typically excluded from replacement warranty coverage.
These warranties also do not cover external or uncontrollable events, often referred to as “acts of God.” This can include damage from severe weather, electrical outages, power surges, storms, or other environmental events.
In addition, replacement warranties generally do not cover the labor, refrigerant, or additional materials required to replace the equipment. While the manufacturer may provide a replacement unit (such as a heat pump, air handler, package unit, or furnace), the cost of installation and related materials is usually the responsibility of the homeowner unless a separate labor warranty is in place.
Labor warranties generally do not cover issues caused by lack of maintenance or system misuse. This includes problems related to dirty air filters, clogged drain lines, or other maintenance-related issues that could have been prevented with proper care.
Labor warranties also do not apply to parts or components that were not installed by the company that provided the warranty. The warranty specifically covers the labor associated with the work originally performed by that contractor.
Because labor warranties are company-specific, using a different HVAC contractor for repairs may void the labor warranty. In those cases, the homeowner would be responsible for any diagnostic, labor, or repair costs incurred.
Additionally, labor warranties typically do not cover damage caused by external factors or unusual circumstances, such as severe weather, fallen trees or debris, accidents, animals, insects, or other conditions outside of normal system operation.
Parts and component warranties require that the equipment be properly maintained, just like the HVAC system itself. Failure to maintain the system or the installed component may result in the warranty being denied.
These warranties typically do not cover damage caused by external factors such as severe weather, fallen trees or debris, accidents, misuse of the equipment, animals, insects, or other conditions outside of normal system operation.
Parts and component warranties also generally do not cover refrigerant, warranty processing fees, diagnostic charges, or labor required to replace the part unless a separate labor warranty has been provided.