A warranty is a form of insurance for large appliances or items that can be expensive to repair. Cars, electronic devices, and HVAC systems are typical examples of goods that require a warranty. However, most people don’t give it a second thought – until a negative situation arises. Even though you may locate the warranty document, you may struggle to understand the terminology, which may be acceptable with a $35 item but not ideal when it involves hundreds or worse, thousands of dollars. It’s for this reason that you should fully understand your HVAC warranty.
Any commercially sold product in the United States must have an implied warranty under American consumer protection laws. When you purchase an air conditioner or any item for that matter, it comes with an invisible implied warranty. This warranty is meant to increase consumer confidence and prevent fraudulent transactions from taking place. The point of this is to ensure that the item you purchased doesn’t catch fire the moment you plug it into a power source. It’s an obligation that every business selling to the public must guarantee the product is safe and performs exactly as they’ve advertised.
Additionally, the express warranty is a written agreement from the manufacturer to conduct repairs or replace certain parts during a specified time frame. Manufacturers are required by federal law to provide this written express warranty, whether it’s in a printed document or as a product label stuck on the appliance.
Another type of HVAC warranty that is available is an extended warranty. However, this is optional and not automatic. You can purchase additional cover from the manufacturer or retailer, which is usually a service contract.
The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for setting the standards of the contents of a warranty certificate. It must indicate who the warranty is covering and for what period. Only the original purchaser enjoys the cover as it’s not transferable if the item is sold. Every guarantee has an end date; even when it clearly states ‘lifetime’, it usually never is, so it’s wise to see the date of expiry for yourself.
The warranty should describe the goods in plain language and determine which parts are covered. It assists the consumer in terms of receiving relief under the warranty terms. Furthermore, it must include any limitations as well as the legal rights of consumers.
It’s a little-known fact that if you have your HVAC system serviced or installed by an unlicensed contractor, it will render your HVAC warranty void. Unfortunately, consumers aren’t aware of this because contractors rarely disclose the information. You will likely come across the void policy of the warranty on the packaging, manufacturer’s website, or the goods themselves. The reality is that people scramble to find their warranty certificates only when there’s a problem, and it’s too late.
Repairing an HVAC unit can be costly, which is upsetting to consumers who’ve believed that they had the necessary cover in the form of the warranty. For this reason, it’s essential to read the guarantee thoroughly and understand the points that could void yours.
A typical example of a warranty for your HVAC system will cover the compressor and other parts for the lifetime of the owner or spouse up to ten years, but it must be installed by a professional. A key point for you to remember is that you must register the warranty. Some manufacturers require the consumer to register the guarantee within 60 days of installation to maximize coverage. If you don’t complete this task, you receive the Base Limited Warranty for only five years.
In addition to using unlicensed contractors, moving the unit from its original place will void the warranty. Other conditions may absolve the manufacturer from responsibility, such as frozen water pipes, lack of lubrication, improper installation, and irregular filter changes.
Before you purchase an air conditioner for your home, you should spend some time considering practical points. Usually, competing brands don’t offer much difference in terms of capacity and price. To assist you with the process of acquiring the perfect system, you must thoroughly understand each manufacturer’s warranty and what it covers. A comprehensive warranty is a sign of confidence in the product, so the better the warranty terms, the better the appliance.
It’s imperative to find a qualified and experienced HVAC contractor that has the authorization to work on your system.