When you purchase a new HVAC system, it will come with a standard manufacturer’s warranty. Depending on the specific type of system you purchase, this warranty can last anywhere between 5-15 years. Unfortunately, there are some things that you’ll want to avoid doing so that you don’t accidentally void your system’s warranty prematurely.
Not Registering It Online
Most HVAC system manufacturers require that you go online to register your unit. Most places will give you between 30 and 90 days to register your warranty. If you don’t do so by the deadline, you won’t have access to the full manufacturer’s warranty. Rather, most will offer you a limited warranty.
Registering your new HVAC system is fairly easy to do. Your system installer will provide you with the necessary paperwork about your system and how to register it online. For most registrations, you’ll simply need to go onto the manufacturer’s website. The company will ask you to input personal data, like your physical address, and data about your specific HVAC system, like its serial number.
Improper Installation
Most HVAC system manufacturers will require that only an authorized professional is able to install your new system. Each manufacturer trains a plethora of HVAC companies across the country on how to properly service and install their different HVAC systems. Each company that has undergone training will list so, typically on its website. For example, they may be a Lennox Premier Dealer or Trane Comfort Specialist.
If you have your new HVAC system installed by an HVAC company that is not certified by the brand manufacturer, it could automatically void the warranty on your new system. This also holds true if you decide to install the system yourself. Most manufacturers will actually check to ensure that one of their authorized dealers installed your system when you register it for the first time before they’ll approve your warranty.
Not Getting Annual Maintenance
HVAC systems are designed so that they require annual maintenance. They’re not a “set it and forget it” type of system. Annual maintenance includes tasks like lubricating moving parts and tightening loose wiring. It’s vital that you have a licensed professional perform annual maintenance on your system to keep your warranty active.
Depending on the specific details of your warranty contract, it may be necessary for one of the manufacturer’s authorized dealers to carry out the preventative maintenance for you. You’ll want to ensure that you get adequate documentation of the maintenance service each year. Plus, it’s important that you keep those documents handy.
Not Having Professional Repair Service
While having regular maintenance performed on your HVAC system is a must to keep it in good working order, it can’t eliminate the risk of experiencing a breakdown from time to time. When this happens, you may want to try and save a few bucks by addressing the issues yourself.
Unfortunately, this can actually void the warranty on your HVAC system. If the repairs aren’t done as they would be by a professional certified by the manufacturer, or you call in a professional after you’ve already tried to fix your system to no avail, you’ll likely void your warranty coverage.
Using Non-OEM Parts
All HVAC manufacturers produce their own replacement products for the systems that they have. When you call in one of their certified professionals, they will identify the problem part and replace it with the original equipment manufacturer or OEM part.
If you opt for doing the repairs yourself or you hire an HVAC professional who isn’t certified by the manufacturer, you may end up utilizing generic parts. These can be enticing since many generic parts are actually cheaper to purchase than OEM parts. However, the use of non-OEM parts on your HVAC system can void out its existing warranty.
Delaying Repairs
Many warranty contracts have a section that specifies the responsibilities of homeowners to keep their warranty active. Getting immediate repairs when a problem comes up is one of these responsibilities. Most contracts state that if reasonable homeowners need to call for system repairs due to the issue that they’re experiencing, then you should too. If you delay getting repairs because you need to save money or something similar, the manufacturer may consider your actions neglectful, and it can void your warranty coverage.
Relocating Your HVAC System
If you’ve decided to renovate your existing home, you may want to relocate your HVAC system to a different location in your home. Unfortunately, this action could actually void the warranty on your HVAC system. Most warranty contracts require that you keep your HVAC system in the same location for the life of the warranty contract. In fact, your contract will likely have a description by the installer as to where your system was installed inside of your home.
Selling Your Home
When you’re getting ready to sell your home, it’s important to collect warranty paperwork for the various components inside of your home. When you find your HVAC warranty, you’ll want to read through it. Some manufacturers won’t allow for the transfer of your HVAC system’s warranty to another home buyer. Others may allow for the transfer, but they will only allow for limited warranty coverage.
Natural Disaster or Peril
While you may not even give it a thought at first, natural disasters and perils do happen unexpectedly. Some common examples include flooding, power surges, fires, and tornadoes. If your HVAC system becomes damaged due to one of these natural disasters or perils, it will likely void out your warranty coverage. Rather, your homeowner’s insurance would be responsible for replacing your entire HVAC system.
Intentional Damage
Another mistake that can void out the warranty on your HVAC system is causing intentional damage to it. This could be physically smashing the unit or damaging certain components to try and get them replaced under warranty. Warranties are meant to cover faulty parts, not intentional damage.
Missing Documentation
Most warranty companies will require that you have a solid file of documentation regarding your HVAC system before they’ll ever consider covering a problem. This solid file will include your registration information, all of your annual maintenance receipts, and any repair work that was performed on the system.
It’s vital that you keep these files in an easily accessible place. Whenever the manufacturer asks for this documentation, you must be able to supply it within a reasonable amount of time. If you can’t show proof of something like your annual professional maintenance for the past five years, it could void out the warranty on your entire HVAC system.
Dependable HVAC Service Professional
Tarpy Plumbing, Heating & Air is your dependable HVAC professional for the Santee, CA, area. We offer quality heating and cooling repair, maintenance, and installation services, plumbing repair, water heater service, indoor air quality services, ductless mini-split service, and blow-in insulation services. Call our team today to get HVAC assistance!
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