How to choose the best home warranty for HVAC coverage
Regardless of if you have a new home or you’ve owned your home for a while, hygienic air quality, proper interior temperature control and ample ventilation are important aspects of leading a comfortable, healthy and secure home life. An HVAC system (also known as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems) is responsible for regulating these functions.
These three interconnected home systems have numerous smaller and more complex parts that call for regular tuneups so they stay in working condition.
However, home appliances are prone to sudden breakdowns, malfunctions, and normal wear and tear. The worst part? Repair costs can dig a hole in your wallet. That’s why a home warranty is worth considering.
Home warranties are meticulously designed to cover repair-related or maintenance costs of covered systems and appliances.
Investing in a home warranty is a good choice because it takes care of the annoying side of being a homeowner — sudden and expensive appliance breakdowns. Once you have signed a service contract and have a home warranty in place, you don't need to worry about how you will afford to fix the broken garbage disposal or fret about finding a vetted plumber to fix your leaky faucet. With good warranty coverage for your HVAC appliances, you won't have to shell out thousands of dollars on extensive repairs, replacements or basic tuneups.
The best home warranty companies or service providers include Cinch Home Services, Liberty Home Guard, American Home Shield (or AHS), Select Home Warranty, Choice Home Warranty and AFC Home Club.
This article discusses what to look for when choosing a home warranty for your HVAC system.
How do home warranties cover HVAC systems?
While each home warranty plan does vary, a “good” home warranty should provide coverage for your home’s major appliances (e.g., air conditioners, water heaters, refrigerators and stoves).
Major home warranties cover the components of a central air-conditioning system and a heating system. For example, forced air (including gas, electric and oil), wall heaters and water heaters are among many essential components. Additionally, most home warranty plans cover the ductwork and system components (though some exclusions exist).
Air-conditioning home warranty coverage
A home warranty usually includes all the components of an A/C unit, including:
- Ducted central electrical split or package systems
- Blower motor
- Geothermal system
- Compressor
- Mini splits
- Evaporator coil
- Ductwork coverage (including leaks or breaks in the ductwork, plenums, dampers and damper-only controls)
Heating-system home warranty coverage
In the case of heating systems, an HVAC home warranty should cover:
- All components and parts of forced air (gas, electric and oil)
- Geothermal
- Wall-mounted heaters
- Floor furnaces
- Package units
- Heat pumps
- Mini splits, hot water or steam-circulating heat
- Electric baseboards
What to look for when choosing a home warranty for your HVAC system
Before getting into what to look for when choosing the home warranty worth investing in for your HVAC system, it is crucial to understand what your sitwwwion requires. A “good” HVAC warranty plan will cover basic appliances and probable problems that may pop up as a result of your specific sitwwwion.
Consider the following questions to decide if investing in an HVAC system warranty is worthwhile for your home:
- How old is your home, and how many people currently live there?
- Do you use built-in systems extensively? If yes, how old are they?
- Have you saved enough for costly and unexpected repairs or maintenance?
- Do you regularly conduct preventive maintenance tasks (e.g., changing furnace filters)?
- Do you have the know-how to troubleshoot a sudden malfunction in your HVAC systems?
Additionally, it’s important to consider a few things when looking for a home warranty provider. Ensure that it is well-known, provides industry-standard services and is trustworthy.
Here are a few questions:
- Does it vet its repair technicians?
- How long has it been in the industry?
- Does the warranty plan cover several locations?
- Does it have an excellent Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating?
- Does it offer a range of plans (like combo plans or total plans)?
Like a home insurance policy, a home warranty contract lays out the coverage limits for the covered items.
Certain home warranty providers put a coverage cap on select items, like built-in systems. Other home warranty providers offer a coverage cap on each specific item covered.
Whether you are a new homeowner or have owned a home for many years, investing in a home warranty is a smart choice because most home warranties cover essential home appliances and systems, including:
- Washers
- Cooktops
- Ice makers
- Ceiling fans
- Septic tanks
- Thermostats
- Plumbing systems
- Electrical systems
- Garbage disposals
- Garage door openers
- Plumbing stoppages
In fact, it is a perfect supplement to your insurance policy. Here are a few reasons to consider investing in a home warranty.
- A home warranty plan covers a broad range of problems that a home insurance policy might not cover.
- In the case of a warranty, you can save on high upfront repair costs for essential appliances. Simply pay a service-call fee (in addition to the basic monthly cost, depending on your chosen plan), and you are good to go!
- You can purchase add-ons for additional coverage, like septic tank systems.
- There’s no need to fret about finding the right technician. A warranty company works to promptly send a licensed and proficient repair contractor after you file a claim.
- Home warranty companies offer different plan options (coverage options can range from basic plans to complete home plans) to suit all sorts of needs and requirements.
- Whether your appliance has pre-existing conditions or certain repairs aren't covered under the manufacturer’s warranty, a top home warranty company ensures that it offers coverage within a few coverage limits.
- Peace of mind is guaranteed! Whenever a covered item calls for an unexpected repair or maintenance, rest easy knowing that your essential home appliances are covered.
How much do home HVAC system repairs typically cost?
On average, HVAC repairs can cost anywhere between $100 and $7,500. To break it down, homeowners spend $319 for A/C service and $268 for furnace service, on average. HomeAdvisor provides this pricing breakdown of typical HVAC service costs:
| Service | Average Repair Cost |
| Hourly Rate | $75 - $150 |
| Service Call | $75 - $200 |
| Tuneup | $85 - $110 |
| Diagnostic Test | $75 - $200 |
| Emergency Hourly Rate | $140 - $250 |
When it comes to HVAC replacement costs, you may have to shell out $5,000 to $11,000, on average. However, this depends on the house's size and whether the ductwork needs replacing.
Get the best HVAC system warranty coverage from Cinch
Don’t let your HVAC home-appliance or systems breakdowns become costly headaches. A good home warranty provides you with the much-needed assurance that your repairs will be properly taken care of by reputable technicians.
With Cinch Home Services, plan your budgets ahead of time and keep surprise expenses at bay.
Cinch offers comprehensive coverage for HVAC systems in the home warranty contract and has 40-plus years of experience in the home warranty industry. It is also accredited with an excellent rating. Here are a few more reasons to consider Cinch for your HVAC home warranty:
- Thousands of pre-screened service professionals
- Serves nearly 1 million customers
- 180-day workmanship guarantee on covered repairs
- Second-largest U.S. provider of home protection plans
- $50 in green rewards to purchase green and energy efficient products
- $25 credit to use toward filters for the A/C or fridge
- Up to a $500 reimbursement when you pay a covered homeowners insurance deductible (one claim per year)
- Discounts on specific brand-name appliances (when any upgrades are needed)
- Plans are available across the U.S. (except in Hawaii and Alaska)
Get the best HVAC system warranty coverage from Cinch. Explore the Built-in Systems plan, the Appliances plan and the Complete Home plan to see which suits your needs best.