New Home HVAC Warranty: What's Covered and How to Check

If you've just bought a newly built home, you may assume the air conditioner and furnace are simply "under warranty." In practice, a new home's HVAC system is usually covered by more than one agreement, and each one covers something different, runs for a different length of time, and has its own process for making a claim. Knowing which is which before something breaks can save you a lot of phone calls in the middle of a Texas summer.

The three kinds of coverage you might have

Most confusion comes from three separate things being called a warranty. They often overlap, but they aren't interchangeable, and the company you call depends on which one applies.

• Builder warranty: the builder's own promise about the home, which may include workmanship on the HVAC installation.
• Manufacturer warranty: the equipment maker's coverage on the system's parts, which is separate from the builder's.
• Home warranty: a service contract you or the seller may have purchased, which is a separate product with its own terms.

What a builder warranty typically covers

A builder warranty generally addresses how the home was built and installed. For HVAC, that can mean problems such as a poorly connected duct, a system that was set up incorrectly, or a defect in the original installation. What's included, and for how long, is set by your specific warranty document, and many builders treat different parts of the home differently. Some use a third-party warranty company, so your first call may not go to the builder at all.

Builder warranties also commonly exclude problems caused by a lack of maintenance, such as a system struggling because the filter was never changed. That's worth remembering during the first year, when it's easy to assume a brand-new system needs no attention.

What a manufacturer warranty typically covers

The manufacturer's warranty generally applies to the equipment itself, such as a compressor or other major part that fails because of a defect. It usually covers the part, not necessarily the labor to replace it, and the terms vary by brand and model.

Registration is the detail new homeowners most often miss. Some manufacturers require the system to be registered to receive their full coverage, and it isn't always clear whether the builder or installer did this. Since the home was built before you owned it, ask rather than assume. Our guide to HVAC warranties explains the common registration and maintenance requirements in more detail.

How to check what your new home has

You can sort out most of this in an afternoon, and it's much easier to do before anything goes wrong.

• Find your closing and warranty paperwork, and read the section on mechanical systems. Note who to contact and how claims must be submitted.
• Write down the brand, model number, and serial number from the labels on your indoor and outdoor units.
• Check the manufacturer's website or call them to see whether the system is registered, and what coverage applies to it.
• Find out when the system was installed, since a warranty may start at installation or at closing, and those dates can differ in a new home.
• Ask your builder which HVAC company installed the system and whether that company should handle warranty calls.
• Keep your maintenance records in one place, including dates and who did the work.

Before you call anyone for a repair

If your system has a problem and your builder's warranty may still apply, check your paperwork first. Some warranties require you to contact the builder or a specific company, and work done by someone else may not be reimbursed, or could create a dispute over coverage. If you have no cooling or heat in extreme weather, tell the warranty contact it's urgent and ask what they want you to do.

Simple checks are usually safe to do yourself: confirm the thermostat settings, replace a dirty filter, and make sure the breaker hasn't tripped. Leave anything involving refrigerant, gas, or electrical components to a licensed comfort expert.

When the coverage runs out, or doesn't apply

Once you know what's covered, you'll also know what isn't. Routine maintenance generally falls to the homeowner, and regular service gives you the records a warranty claim may ask for. If you're unsure about a diagnosis or a quote you've been given, a second opinion can help you decide what to do next.

Family First Comfort works with homeowners across Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and DFW. If you have questions about your system, call us at 817-935-8540 and we'll help you work out your next step.