Quick answer
Register new HVAC equipment with the manufacturer soon after installation, because many brands require registration within a set window (often about 60 days) to get their longest parts warranty. Keep the invoice, model and serial numbers, registration confirmation, permit, and maintenance records together, since you may need them for a claim or a home sale.
A new heating and cooling system usually comes with two separate warranties: the manufacturer's parts warranty and the installer's labor warranty. Knowing what each covers, and keeping the paperwork, can save you a lot if a part fails years from now.
Parts Warranty vs. Labor Warranty
The manufacturer's parts warranty covers a failed part, such as a compressor or a control board. It usually doesn't pay for the labor to diagnose and replace it.
The labor warranty comes from the installing contractor. At Family First Comfort, new installations include a 1-year labor warranty, extendable to 10 years, and every repair carries a 30-day workmanship warranty.
How to Register Your Equipment
- 1Find the model and serial numbersThey're on the data plate on the outdoor unit and on the furnace or air handler, and they should be on your invoice.
- 2Check the deadlineMany manufacturers require registration within a set number of days after installation, often around 60, or the parts warranty drops to a shorter base term.
- 3Register onlineUse the manufacturer's official warranty registration page and keep the confirmation email or certificate.
- 4Ask who registers itAsk your installer whether they register it for you. If they don't, do it yourself right away.
Records to Keep in One Folder
- The installation invoice with every model number and the install date.
- Warranty registration confirmations for each piece of equipment.
- The permit, if your city required one for the installation.
- The load calculation (Manual J) and any duct design or airflow report.
- Maintenance records with dates. Some warranties can ask for proof of regular maintenance.
- Repair invoices, including which parts were replaced and their warranty terms.
- The refrigerant type, which is listed on the outdoor unit's data plate.
Selling or Buying a Home
Some manufacturer warranties transfer to a new owner automatically, others need a transfer form or fee within a set time after the sale, and some extended terms apply only to the original owner. Check the terms for your brand before you list.
Buyers should ask for the installation date, the warranty registration, and the maintenance records. A system's age is on its data plate even if no paperwork is available.
Understanding the HVAC Section of a Home Inspection
Texas home inspections are visual and look for visible defects. They aren't a full HVAC diagnostic. Here's what common report notes usually mean:
- "At or near the end of its typical service life": the inspector is noting age, not a failure. Ask for an evaluation to see its actual condition.
- "Temperature differential outside the normal range": the air coming out isn't as cool (or warm) as expected, which can point to airflow, refrigerant, or coil problems.
- "Rust or water in the secondary drain pan" or "no float switch": a condensate drain issue that can lead to a ceiling leak.
- "Flex duct kinked, crushed, or sagging": restricted airflow, often in the attic.
- "Recommend evaluation by a licensed HVAC contractor": the inspector saw something outside their scope. A licensed contractor can confirm what's needed.