WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR HOME’S AC WARRANTY

When looking at buying a new air conditioning unit, there are a lot of criteria to consider for quality and functionality. Whatever make or model you choose, it is important to have a good warranty behind it. Air conditioners can be expensive to fix, and if you are stuck with a short warranty, you will be responsible for any regular maintenance that is required during the life of your unit.

Types of Warranties
There are two types of warranties involved in units that require installation: a manufacturer’s warranty and an installation warranty.

A manufacturer’s warranty guarantees the product as delivered to the installer. If you are installing it yourself, make sure to explicitly follow the instructions from the manufacturer. If it is damaged as a result of installation, the fault lies with the installer, and manufacturers will not cover the cost of a new product. Some manufacturers will have a clause concerning do-it-yourself installations that talk about what is covered. If you are going the DIY route, be careful to know exactly what the manufacturer’s warranty states in cases of damages.

This is where installation warranties come into play. If you prefer to use a professional third-party installer, be sure to ask for an installation warranty. This would cover any damages to the product during installation, and the installer would then be held responsible for the payment of repairs or new product. Professionals will also be familiar with the limits of the manufacturer’s warranties, and will design their own warranties to cover or not cover specific details. For example, CJS Heating & Air offers a 10-year labor and parts warranty. This means that they guarantee that the product will be installed correctly.

What to Look Out For

Avoid buying an air conditioning unit that has a short or limited warranty from the manufacturer. If the product is high quality, its manufacturer will stand behind it. The same goes for installation warranties. Avoid any professional installers who do not have a strong warranty that includes labor and parts. If they do not stand behind their service, they are scared to guarantee that the job will be done right since the cost will fall to them. Last, when you install a new system protect your investment by making sure the contractor is pulling the required permits to complete the work. This will likely not affect your warranty but is an important piece that ensures the system is installed properly. A third party city inspector will check over the system to make sure it is up to the exceeding standards. It is important that an unbiased party verify the quality of work performed.

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