Do you have an AC that is still under warranty and suddenly not working as it should? Although AC warranties typically cover all components, there are many times when your warranty still won’t pay for necessary repairs or replacement parts. That’s why it’s important that you understand what things an AC warranty covers so that you can know whether or not you have grounds to file a warranty claim.
An Overview of Standard AC Warranties and What They Cover
Almost all new air conditioning equipment comes with a manufacturer’s limited warranty. The terms of this warranty can vary based on the manufacturer and the type of equipment, but most equipment comes with a basic five-year warranty on the compressor and either a one- or five-year warranty on all other parts. On most units, you can then receive an extended 10-year warranty as long as you register the unit with the manufacturer within a certain number of days of it being installed. In most cases, the time you have to claim this extended warranty is 90 days from the date of installation.
The majority of AC manufacturers only provide a limited parts warranty on their equipment. That means if any part fails during the warranty period due to a manufacturer’s defect, the manufacturer will provide a free replacement part. Some manufacturers will also cover replacement parts if the issue arises due to improper workmanship during the installation process as long as the unit was installed by a manufacturer-approved contractor.
The main thing to note is that a standard AC warranty only covers the replacement part itself, which means you’ll still need to pay for all of the labor costs involved with replacing the part. Unfortunately, the labor costs for replacing certain parts such as the AC compressor can still be quite high. That’s why there can be certain situations where it might be better to just replace your AC unit instead of having it repaired.
For instance, if your AC is already eight or nine years old and the compressor fails, you’re often better off putting what you would’ve spent on labor to the cost of installing a new unit. This is especially true in places like Arizona that experience extreme heat since most AC units in a climate such as ours typically don’t last much more than 12 years. One reason we say that just replacing the entire unit is often the better choice in this type of situation is that many manufacturers will give you a credit for the replacement part that you can put toward installing a new unit from the same manufacturer.
Carrier is one of the unique manufacturers when it comes to the AC warranties they offer. That’s because when you install most types of Carrier AC equipment, you can choose between two separate warranties. One option is the basic 10-year limited parts warranty. The other option is a five-year limited parts warranty and a three-year labor warranty. If you choose the latter option, it means you won’t have to pay anything should you need any part replaced within the first three years of your new unit being installed. The drawback is that you’ll have to pay all of the costs yourself if any parts fail as a result of a defect after five years.
Why Regular Maintenance Matters for Your AC Warranty
Whenever you have a new air conditioner installed, it’s important that you carefully read and fully understand the terms of your AC warranty. The most important thing to understand is that the manufacturer can and usually will reject your warranty claim if your AC issue has resulted from neglect. Even if the part that failed was faulty, the manufacturer will usually still conclude that your neglect contributed to the part failing. In terms of neglect, what we mean is failing to have your AC inspected and serviced every year.
For your warranty to remain valid and your claim to have any chance of being approved, this annual maintenance service also must be performed by a certified HVAC technician. That’s one of the many reasons why you shouldn’t just hire anyone to work on your AC system and instead need to make sure that the company you hire is fully licensed and certified. If you or anyone who isn’t certified does any type of repair or maintenance work on your air conditioning, your warranty will no longer be valid, and you’ll have to pay for any replacement parts out of pocket.
Some manufacturers are stricter than others when it comes to maintenance requirements and how they affect an AC unit’s warranty. Nonetheless, you may be required to submit records when you file a warranty claim to prove that your AC has been professionally inspected and serviced annually. If you hire a reputable HVAC company, they can usually provide you with the records you need. The only issue is that many companies only keep this type of information on file for a certain number of years. There is also the chance that the company you hire could end up going out of business, leaving you with no way to get the records you need. These issues are why it’s important to keep the paperwork you receive after your annual AC maintenance service.
The Importance of Regular Air Filter Changes
One of the main reasons why many AC issues arise is that the homeowner neglected to change the air filter in their HVAC system often enough. Believe it or not, an experienced HVAC technician can usually tell fairly easily when certain issues were caused by not changing the air filter often enough. For instance, if the AC fan or blower fails or starts malfunctioning as a result of it overheating, it most commonly indicates that the system was run for a long time without changing the air filter. The motor can also overheat due to electrical issues, but this would also be evident when the technician inspects the blower.
Another fairly easy way to tell whether the air filter in an AC system was changed often enough is the amount of dust and debris on the blower and evaporator coil. When an air filter is clean, it traps the majority of dust particles so that they don’t start clogging up the blower and evaporator coil. When the filter gets too dirty, it typically results in the blower drawing air into the system through other places since it can’t pull sufficient air in through the dirty filter. As a result, you’ll usually end up with much more dust getting inside and the blower and evaporator coil being much dirtier.
The issue is that if your AC has any parts that fail because you didn’t change the air filter often enough, there is also a greater chance your warranty claim will be denied. That’s why you should make sure to check the manufacturer’s recommended filter change intervals and follow whatever they say. In most cases, the basic requirement is to change the filter at least every 90 days. However, your filter may sometimes end up clogging faster and need to be replaced a bit more frequently.
With years of experience, Honest Air Conditioning is the contractor to turn to when you need any air conditioning and heating maintenance, AC repair, and installation services in the Mesa area. We are a Carrier Authorized Dealer, and our certified technicians also work on all other brands of HVAC equipment. Whether you need to have your AC inspected are looking to replace your existing HVAC or need indoor air quality services, contact us to get the experienced help you can trust.