Extended Warranties
A new heating and cooling system is a major investment, and an extended warranty protects it long after installation day. Most manufacturer warranties replace a part that fails from a defect but leave you paying for the labor to find the problem and install the new part. An extended warranty can cover that labor and add years of parts coverage, so a covered repair is a cost you planned for instead of a surprise.
Tidwell and Sons HVAC offers extended warranty options for your equipment in Charlotte, registers your system with the manufacturer and takes care of warranty repairs from the first call to the finished job.
What Does a Manufacturer's HVAC Warranty Cover?
New furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps come with a limited warranty from the manufacturer. The details can vary but most work the same way:
- Parts, not labor. The warranty replaces a defective part. The labor to diagnose the problem and install the part is usually yours to pay, and the cost of refrigerant is usually not covered either.
- Registration adds years. Extended warranties can provide homeowners with longer parts coverage, often 10 years, when the equipment is registered shortly after installation, usually within 60 to 90 days.
- A missed registration shortens coverage. Unregistered equipment usually falls back to a shorter parts term, often 5 years. Some states don't allow coverage to depend on registration.
- Defects, not damage. Failures caused by improper installation, misuse or skipped maintenance aren't covered.
- Terms vary plan to plan. How long coverage lasts, which parts it includes and whether it transfers to the next owner all depend on the warranty for your equipment.
That labor is the gap an extended warranty is built to fill. Sometimes you can also trade part of the parts coverage for a few years of labor coverage when you register, and an extended warranty carries that protection further.
Extended Warranty vs. Home Warranty vs. Maintenance Agreement
These three are easy to confuse. Here's how each one compares with the manufacturer warranty you already have:
| Feature | Manufacturer Warranty | Extended Warranty | Home Warranty | Maintenance Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who provides it | The equipment manufacturer | The manufacturer, a plan provider or your contractor | A home warranty company | Your heating and cooling contractor |
| What it costs | Included with the equipment | A set price for the plan, which varies by coverage and term | A yearly fee plus a service fee for each visit | A yearly or monthly fee |
| What it covers | Replacement parts for defects | Labor, added years of parts coverage or both, depending on the plan | Repairs to a list of home systems and appliances, up to set limits | Scheduled tune-ups and inspections |
| Who does the work | A qualified contractor | Usually a contractor that takes part in the plan | A contractor the home warranty company assigns | Your contractor |
| What to watch for | Labor and refrigerant are usually not included | A deadline to buy after installation | Coverage limits and problems that existed before coverage began | Repairs are extra unless the agreement includes them |
Is an Extended Warranty Worth It?
When a plan covers the labor your manufacturer warranty leaves out, it protects you from the part of a repair bill you would otherwise pay yourself. Here's what extended coverage gives you:
The best time to add a plan is when your new system goes in, since many plans have to be added within a set time after installation.
Regular maintenance matters too, and some can ask for maintenance records before they approve a claim. A maintenance agreement keeps your system serviced on a regular schedule and gives you a record of every visit.
What to Look for in an Extended Warranty
Plans differ, and the right one protects you for the years you own your system. A strong extended warranty:
- Covers labor, not just parts. Labor is what your manufacturer warranty leaves out.
- Is backed by a company you can count on, such as the equipment manufacturer or an established plan provider.
- Spells out what a repair costs you. Any deductible or service fee is stated up front.
- Is serviced by a contractor you trust, ideally the one who installed your system and knows it.
- Can transfer when you sell. A plan the next owner can take over is a plus when you list your home.
- Fits how long you'll own the system. Choose a term that covers the years you plan to stay.
We go over the terms of every plan we offer before you decide, and you'll have the full terms in writing.
How We Handle Your Extended Warranty
Here's how Tidwell and Sons HVAC helps with your warranty:
Choose Your Coverage
When we quote your new system, we explain the manufacturer warranty and help you choose the extended coverage that fits.
Register Your Equipment
We can register your new system with the manufacturer after installation. Keep the confirmation with your invoice.
Call Us When Something Fails
We diagnose the problem, work with the manufacturer or plan provider on the claim and make the repair.
If you already have a system, bring us your paperwork and we'll show you what coverage is left and whether a plan can still be added.
Frequently Asked Questions About Extended Warranties
If you want protection from the repair costs your manufacturer warranty doesn't cover, yes. A standard manufacturer warranty replaces the defective part, and the labor to diagnose and install it is yours to pay. An extended warranty that covers labor closes that gap, so a covered repair is a cost you planned for instead of a surprise. It makes the most sense when you plan to stay in your home for years.
Usually not. A standard manufacturer warranty on heating and cooling equipment replaces the defective part, and the labor to diagnose the problem and install the part is yours to pay. Sometimes you can trade part of the parts coverage for a few years of labor coverage when you register, and an extended warranty can cover labor for longer.
It's usually still covered, but for less time. Most extended warranties give longer parts coverage only when the equipment is registered shortly after installation, usually within 60 to 90 days. Unregistered equipment falls back to a shorter parts term, often 5 years, and some states don't allow coverage to depend on registration. If you aren't sure whether your system was registered, we can help you check.
When your new system is installed. Many plans have to be added within a set time after installation, often a few months to a year, so deciding at installation keeps every option open.
Some plans do, which can be a plus when you sell. A transfer usually has to be requested within a set time after closing and may carry a fee, so ask about it when you choose a plan.
Most manufacturer warranties don't cover a failure caused by skipped maintenance, and some plans require maintenance by a licensed contractor or can ask for maintenance records before they approve a claim. The safest approach is to have your system serviced as the manufacturer recommends and keep a record of every visit.
Be careful. The Federal Trade Commission warns that calls and mail selling extended warranties, often with a warning that your warranty is about to expire, usually come from marketers with no connection to the company you bought from. It's best to get extended coverage through the contractor who installed your system and will be making the repairs.